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VoL. IV., No. I. March, 1923

fRICE 1/.

. . Cbe . .

Queensland naturalist |

journal of the

Queenslana naturalists' Club

AND

nature-covers’ Ceague.

The Poetry of Earth is never deadP — Keats.

The Author of each Article is responsible for the Statements
expressed therein.

CONT15XTJS :

Proceedings

Queensland Naturalists’ Club: Annual Report

The Photographer Naturalist ...

Rabbits and their Introduction Into Australia

Why the Birds Should Be Protected

Some Birds of Stradbroke Island of To-day ...

PAGE

I

3

5

7

19

23

Th* OGrter-WfttaoD CW.. Ltd.. 65 Shnbeth at.,

The Queensland Naturalists’ Club

-AND-

Nature-Lovers’ League.

Official Journal — The Queensland Naturalist.

0

OFFICK 13FA.K15KS,

0

Patron:

Sir Matthew Nathan, G.C.M.G., Governor of Queensland.

President :

Mr. C. T. White.

Vice-Presidents :

Mrs. C. A. Messmer and Prof. E. S, Goddard.

Hon. Secretaries :

Messrs. J. C. Smith Naturalists’ Club)
c/o Murray Fraser, Charlotte St., Brisbane ; and

C. G. Stevenson (Vature-Lovers' League),
Fitzroy Buildings, Elizabeth St., Brisbane.

Hon. Treasurer :

Mr. G. H Barker,

Albert Street, Brisbane.

lion. Lantemist: Hon, Librariatn:

Mr. W. M. Tanner. Mr. G. H. Barker (acting)

Committee:

Mr. R. Illidge. Mr. R. L, Higgins.

Mr. W. R. Colledge. Mrs. Mayo,

Hon. Editor^ Naturalist :

Mr. C. T. White.

Subscriptions :

Ordinary Members 10s. per annum.

Country Members 5s. per annum.

Nature-Lovers* Certificate, 4d.

M KKTTNtSH!

Monthly Meetings are held at No. 15, First Floor,

Courier Buildings, Brisbane, on the third Monday of every month.

Che Queensland naturalist

JOURNAL OF THE QUEENSLAND NATURALISTS’ CLUB
AND NATURE-LOVERS' LEAGUE.

VoL IV. March, 1923 . Xo. i.

PROCEEDINGS.

OCTOBER, 1922— MAR'dl, 1923.

Evening Meeting, 16th October. — The meeting falling
near Itird Day the evening was devoted to ornithological
discussions. The principal isubject.-^ were the sereening
of a number of slides of birds at their nests by Mr. A. H.
Chisholm and exhibits of slvins hy iMr. iR. Illidge.

Evening Meeiting, 23rd October. — The evening was
devoted to a lecturette on “Willis Island” by Mr. L.
Dunne. Mr. Dunne exhibited in illustration of his
remarks a large series of inarine specimens gathered
during his stay as one of the wireless operators on the
island.

Excursion, October 23rd. — A large number of mem-
bers visited Mountain Camp, Samford Range, and though
attention was paid in a general way to natural history
the main feature was a vhut to the granite quarries
wdiere the stone is being cut for the new Town Hall.
Dr. E. 0. Marks acted as leader.

Evening Meeting, 6 th Xovemher. — ^^The special sub-
ject for the evening were lantern lectures on “Fraser
Island” b}* Mr. A. H. Chisholm (Birds) and Mr. C. T.
White (Plants). His Excellency ^Sir Matthew Nathan.
Patron of the S<jciety, was present and on hebaif of the
memfbervS presented to Mr. A. H. Chisholm, who was
leaving shortly for Sydney, a w'allet containing a cheque.

The GoverufU', when making tlie presentation, said
there were feww'‘ho served their icountry'better in ordinary
times than those who rightly directed its pleasures. His
Excellency held that such right direction among civilised
humanity Avas largely in the way of literature, art, and
nature. He did not think that the real nature-lover ever
tired of his mistress, whose pursuit, however, was difficult
in the streets of towns^. It had been Mr. Chisholm’s high

2

The Q leensland Naturalist.

March 1923

fluietion iu J>rLslbane '0 take many aside quietly and
introduce tliejxi to the wonders of the country sc closely
adjoiniiif^ it, and to help those living in the country to-
enliance their natural inclination to those wonders^ by
atlding kncviedge to it. They wished Mr. Chisholm,
who was joining the staff of the ‘"'Sydney Telegraph.”
equal success in the new sphere and, in the (belief that
his work would be always to him a labour of love, they
hoped for its nninteri-njited continnanee through long
years of happy life.

Mr. Chisholm, ndien expressing his appreciation of
the honour j)aid him. said (ijueenslanid was a State 'well
worth looking after, for not the least of its great assets
were its wonderful birds and its bird life.

i

Annual Meeting. 19th February, 1923. — The President
delivered an address on “The Photograplier Naturalist”
(see !>. 5). Tlie officers were elected as set oui on the
cover page of this isfs'ue. It was moved by Mr. II. A. Long-
man and carried nnaninionsly, ‘‘That the club again
places' on record its hearly appreciation of the good work
done by the Department of Agriculture and Stock in
j)rotecting our native fauna, and ejarnestly hopes that
tliis i)olicy will be maintained in Queensland.” The
annual report of the Conneil was read and adopted (sec
P. 3).

Excursion. 17 — 19th Mai'ch. — A large numiber of
members availed themselves of the opportunity of St.
Patrii'k's Day falling on a Sattirday to spend a week at
Tallebndgcra Creek. The camp-out was a decided success,
.and a good deal of collecting and observing was done.

Evening Meeting, 19th March. — ^The meeting was
devoted to exhibits and notes by members. Exhibits were
made by Mr. H. A. Longman, P.L.S., Mr. Fenton Robin-
son. Mr. D. Curtis, Mr. W. M. Tanner, and Mr. C. T.
White. A few noteisi on the birds observed at Tallebud-
gera were given by Mr. G. II. Barker.

:March, 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

3

QUEENSLAND NATUEALISTS’ CLUB,

ANNUAL REPORT, 1922-1928.

Your (JouHcil has inurh pleasure iu su'bniittin^ its
Amuial Summary of Lie proceedings of tlie 18u'b durijig
the year 1922.

^Meetings and Excursions. — There have 'been held
eight (S) C(uinei] and eight (8) Ordinary Meetings, also
a number of Excursions, Attendances at both meetings
and excursions have l)een well maintained.

Membersliip. — The total number of members is now
ill the vicinity of 100, there liaviug been an increase oF
twelve fl2) during the year.

Through the death of the late Dr. .I(»hu Shirley, the
Club, and the State generally, lost a most enthiu
siasti<' member. Ills knoM'ledge and accomplishments on
scientific and natural history matters were well known,
and were always at the disposal of others. Also, thr<uigh
the dei)arture to Sydney of A. II. Chisliolm, 1he club
Jias lost a most intiuential and active worker and orni-
thologis't. Yo'ur 'Council have, in recognition of his valu-
.able services. ap|H)inted him a Life Member.

The Jiewly- formed Nature Lovers’ League occupied
the attention of yoiU‘ Council. Mr. C. (J. Stevenson, the
Honorary Secretary, will deal wi1li this matter.

Your Council were coiisnltefl re certain reconimen*
dations and amendments to the Bird and Animal Act of
the State, and have to reporl that the passing of the Bird
and Game Bill, during the last session of Parliamenl, was
mainly due to Mr. OhisholnUs infiuem^e. it will ]»e aeces-
siary foi* the Q.N. (dub to be on its giiaed in i*espect to
;any relaxation of the present game laws. It might be
mentioned tliat 200.000 skins (Koala and Oposstun) were
exported from (Queensland during the shoi-p ])eriod t.he
s'eas(m was re-opened last year.

A movement was made to have an area. ineli;ding
the Limestone 'Caves near Rockhampton, pretserved
against total destruction. ':This matter is still in abey-
ance. Also yonr Club is interesting itself in the “Her-
cules Bank,” a small island at the niiouth of the Brisbane
River. We succeeded in having it proclaimed a Bird
Sanctuary, and efforts are to be made to plant it with
suitable trees.

4

The Queensland Naturalist.

March, 1923:

Your Couuoil al,S{» g‘ave «iipi)ort to a proposal by Mr.
('. T. White to establish an Arboretum in Victoria Park,
and ^Ir. G. II. Barker aiul the Honorary Secretary were
members of a deputation, representative of various seien-
tific bodies, that waited oti the Mayor in respect to the
movement.

The Mayor stated in reply that Victoria Park could
not be ^iv^en over for the purpose, but suggested One-
Tree Hill Reserve. this, however, is the only piece of
natural forest in the immediate neighbourhood of the
city, in the opinion of the members of the depintafiou, it
was thought a pity to interfere with it.

The Wild Flower and Natural History Exhibition,,
which was held during September, is worthy of mention
as the most succef^sful feature ot‘ the year's Avork. It Avas^
held during a dry spell, but the display botan'i-cally Avas a
most represeutativ.e one, ami proved the most s'ueeesisfuf
fiiianeialliy, yet held. It has also proved to be the means
of making the 'Club's Journal a financial success. It is
to be bo|)ed that coutiuued support Avill be fortiicoming.
As tins eA'ent is popular Avith tlie public, it shoul 1 l)e more-
representative of tile Club's interests.

Great Barrier Reef Committee. — A Committee com-
posed of reprcscutatives of various Australasian Scien-
tific Societies and Tnstitnlions has been formed at ^be
instigation of llie Qneen'sland Branch of the Royal Geo-
graj'ibical Society of Australia for the purpose of carry-
ing out investigations on the Great Barrier Reef. Mr. H.
Tryon was appointed the Club’s representative. Several
meetings haA'e been held, and it is hojied later that Amlu-
able research work on prolilems connected Avith the reef
A\'ill he curried OTit.

(bnclusio-n. — In conclusuon, ycnr Council AAUsh to
pliU'e on record theii’ tlianks to all AAdio have assisted
Avith the 'meetings of the Club during the past year. We
hope that members will continue to increase their inter-
est and take advantage of the s*plendid opportunities
Avliich oec'nr to study the many branches of Natural His-
tory.

March, 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

5

THE PHOTOaEAPHER NATURALIST.

By R. L. HIGGINS.

(Presidential Address.)

It has been said that Photography as a means to an
-end — whether that end be pictnre-makingj scientific re-
search jonrnalisin, or any of the daily in-
creasing applications of the craft — must make
progress until it attains proportions of wliich we
now hardly dare to dream. Although this q^uota-
tion was made some years ago. yet it is now correct
in certain spheres of scieiitific work to-day. The accuracy
and rapidity which formed so marked a feature in photo-
graphic methodr^ are no doubt mainly answerable for the
increased employment of the camera by naturalists. The
naturalist, however, will not necessarily be content with
a single accurate and rapidly executed picture of his
subject — ^he requires rather a scries of i)ictures which are
not only accurate, but also characteristic and coherent.
To init briefly the three qualities that are essential to
good Natural History illustrations are accuracy, charac-
ter, and continuity. Accuracy need not be dilated upon,
as it speaks for itself, but ehai*aeter and contimiity are
qualities the absence of Avliieh liave been the cause of
failures in Natural History work.

Ciiaracterkation m realised in a zoological photo-
graph when the snihject is represented in a characteristic
-■attitude and amlil cliaraeteristic ?'urroundings. It is
therefore in these respects' that photographs of stuffed
.animals are as a rule 'unsatisfactory.

Publications on Natural History entirely illustrated
by photographs jnit fairly and squarely before the public
art to which one could hardly take exception.

The cons’ideration of character, movements or atti-
tudes characteristic of different animals have become so
familiar in many cases as to have passed into proverbs.
To “cree]) like a mouse/' to ‘'stare like an owl/' are
expressions wliich occur to one, and such expressions' arc
■origitrally the result of close o'bseiwal'-’oii.

Most animals, including man, adopt certain definite
l)Ostnres and expressions more frequently ithan others.
'These, from constant repetition gradually come to be re-

6

The Queensland Naturalist.

March, 1923'

gartled as characteristie. They are more lasting in pomt
ol' time, tluin those postures and expressions, and create
a more lastiiig expression. Vanity is characteristic in
Tile liuman race, hut fortunately llie element of vanity
in the character of wild animals’ is generally small. The
fact tliat their whole aim in life is to live themselves and
produce their kind ensures that their characteristic ex-
]U‘e^'sions and attitudes shall he of a less complication
and coniusing character tlian those of the human race.-
Their fre(|uency of recurrence may be taken as some
guide to their imiuirtauce.

Ill all animals at leaet two characteristics may he
looked for — the position of action and the position of‘
ri'pose. Botli admit of sTihdivisions — action for example
may conpu'ise defence and attack, and isf the most difficult
to deal with ])hotograph:cally.

There Is also more than the mere attitude to be-
looked for in a characteristic photograph. The surround-
ings must be carefully considered and tlios’e particular
markings and peculiarities which differentiate the sub-
jects from closely allied st)eci'es.

Now as to the third essential in Natural History
work, suip)osing a shar]') picture ha^» been obtained in a
(diarac'teristic attitude amid characteristic surroundings,,
and with its characteristic external features well dis-
l)layed — ttie photographer is really only; at the com-
mencomeut of his difficulties and has by no means com-
pleted Jiis tas'k. Excellejit as the picture may be, it
should only form one of a seines of picf’iires showing
stages (d' development. It is in work of this kind that
thiu-e seems to be such a maguifieeut field for photographer
11 at lira lists.

J^et the photographer naturalist select a s’iugle living
form in his particular locality^ and determine to satis-
factorily record every stage of its development which is
pht)tfkgraphical iy possible. Let him then turn his atten-
tion to its habits, to its characterTstic positions of res’t or
inoveineut. to its similarity or dissimilarity with closely
allied species. Let him supply [>hotographic deficioue'es.
l)y a written record of colouration, measurements, and
s'o forth, and the result can haially fail to he valnable.

Hpecial attention can he called to the plienomena of
■metamor])hosis and mimicry. There is an inexhaustible
supply in this country of material for the illustration. of
either.

Marc.h, IQ23.

The Queensland Naturalist,

7

What has just been treated is sonieAvhat of an ideal
standai'd for Natural llLstory work and consideration
can now -be devoted to the most promising means oF
approach thereto. Photography for Naturalists falls into
two obvious divisions — that wliich may be termed “stalk-
ing'’ photography and that which can be termed phoi
graphy of natural ohjecls liy ‘teontrol.”

The former -whose success is largely dependent upon:
(1) the observing powmr of the photographer; (2) on his
patience; (3) on the time at his disi)ORal.

The latter may be explained by instead of the cam-
era being approached to the subject, the object i?
approached to the camera. Photography by “control"
is obviously more limited in its action than ‘"stalking"
photography, but the held is a sufhciently wide one to
satisfy any orditiary as[)i rations.

No amount (xf photogj-aphic skill will comriensate for
ignorance of Natural History, and it is to the acquirement
of the patience and power of observation insej)arab]e from
the s'tudy of life in the bush that the photographer
should primarily address himself.

0

RABBITS AND THEIR INTRODUCTION INTO
AUSTRALIA.

By C. W. HOLLAND. Chief Clerk, Department of Public
Lands, Brisbane.

Of the introduced pests of Queensland, rabbits may
be assigned the second place, the hrst undoubtedly
belonging to the prickly-pear. Before considering the
introduction of these animals, a few facts concerning the
rabbits thems^elves may not be amiss.

The family Leporida?, which includes the hares and
rabbits, is widely distributed over the earth, but is not
indigenous to Australia or the other great islands of the
globe. That il is able to flourish in a variety of climates
is evident fro-m the fact tliat. in America, it is found from
north latitude in Northern Greenland, to heyoiul 40°
south latitude in northern Patagonia. Its vertical range
extend.^ from sea-level to above timber line, reaching au

8

The Queensland Naturalist.

March, 1923

altitiuLe of more than 14,000 feet on some of the higher
mountains of Mexico (Eeference 1, p. 16).

The term “rabbit^’ w'as originally applied to the
young aniuml only, the full-grown one being called a
“coney/' Varro* tells us (2, p. 315) tha-t they were
called by the latter name because of their habit of making
burrows (cuniculi) “'underground in 'the fields ito bide
themselves in." Hence we get the specific name of Hie
common Eurojiean rabbit, Leptia cuniculuSy now termed
Orycto^asus citniciiliis. Nowadays, the word coney has
dropped out of general use, although it is still retained in
some quarters.

With the ancients’ the term “hare” appears to have
included tlie rabbit. This is seen from the statement of
Plinyf tliat “There is also a species of hare, in Sriain,
which is called tre rabbit" (3 Vol. II. p. 348). Strabof
also alludes to rabbits as “hares” (4, Vol. 1. Book HI,
p. 217), and Varro writes in a similar strain. Until ([uite
recently, indeed, it was coiis/idcred impossible to separate
the rabbit c/itl hare geiu'rically, and both were included
in the genus Leptis,

All the different kinds of rabbit are believed to
have descended from the common European species.
Althongh doubt lias been thrown by reason of the dis-
covery of the remains of rabbits in Quaternary deposits
North of tlie Alps (5, p. 363), it is the opinion of
Naturalists that the original home of the European rabbit
wa:-’ the sea-board of tbe western end of fhe Mediterra-
nean Sea (6, p. 502). According to Strabo they Avere in-
troduced into Spain frcui Africa (4, Book ITT., p. 252).
From these regions they spread, both by natural m gra-
tion and human agency, northerly and easterly over
temperate Eiu'cpe and across Asia, ultimately reaching
America, similarly to other mammals, by means of a land
connection between Asia and America tliat existed in
ages past. The extension of their range has been going
on in recent times. For i'nslance, they were little known
in Scotland in the early i>art of the nineteenth 'century,
but are uoav “found in all s'uitable localities up to the
extreme north” (7. p. 495). Their introduction into Ire-
land is also recent. Changes in the distribution of rabbits

* M. 'I'fieniius Varro - B.C. 116-27.

+ C. Fliiiius Secundus — A.D. 2^-79,

J Stra!)o (of Amasifi, in Pontus) — B.C. 63-A.r). 25.

March, 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

9

are still jiroceediiig in the United States of America,
the main and most ])ermanent ones being caused by
man (1, p. 20). Burroughs tells us ‘^the rabbit is now
common in parts of our State (New York) where in my
boyhood only the hare was found” (8. p. 38).

Rabbits have been subjected to Hiiudi abuse by reason
of their unpardonable interference with the monetary
interests of man, but it shn'uld be remembered that the
balance is not wholly on the one side. It has been said
(9, p. 182), timt man learned sapping and mining from
the burrowing habit of these little rodents. Be this, is
it may, in Dr. Johnson’s' Rasse/as'" (Chap, xiii.) the
Prince' and his companion find their way out of the Happy
Valley by obs'erving and imitating rabbits at their work
of delving into the earth. Rabbits have been used for
food by man from tlie earliest times. In the British
Mnseuni may be seen a bronze figure of a yotive hare
with an tonic inscription of abo'ut B.C. 480, and this
animal was commonly hunted by the ancient Egyptians.

Among the Romans the ’Uiare-Avarren” or leporariutu
was often an appendage of the farm, and Varro tells
US' (2, p. 313) that its ‘‘boundary walls should^ have
a coating of plaster and .should be high” as a protection
against natural enemies, and he adds: ‘‘There ij.^ also
the recent fashion, now general, of fattening them by
taking them from the warren, shutting them u]^ in cages, ■

and fattening them in confinement.” Alexander Severus’*
is said to have had a hare served daily at his table (10, '

P- 62). I

According to Pliniy, the Romans also found medicinal i

virtues in the “hare.” The rennet was used as an in- 1;

gredient in antidotes for pois'ons and was prescribed for i,

fevers. It was also injected into the eai‘ as a remedy for ;

tooth-ache. The ashes of a bai'e, wi.h oil of myrtle ,

added, reC'eved headache, the patient drinking s-OTiie '

water left in a trough after an ox or an ass had been |

drinking there. The ashes of the bead made a good
tooth powder, and with the addition of nard was a j

corrective of bad breath (3, Vol. V., pp. 333. 335, 339,

355). I

In Britain during the Saxon period, rabbits formed
part of the food of the people (10, p. 64), and as we ;

come down the ages we find numerous references to their

H
t:

* A.D. 209-235,

10

The Queensland Naturalist.

March, 1923

use as food. Cervantes alludes to it in liis immortal work
(11, Vol. 2, p. 408), and in, the H])auish Rog'ue, published
aibout the same period (12, p. 168), we find a ra'bbit pie
among the dainties of a special repast. At one time
there was, in some quarters, an objection that such use
of rabbits was prohibited by Scripture (Leviticut^, 11).
This objection has been disposed of, the coney of the
Bible having been identified as Hyrax Procavia
svriaca^ a small mammal that was first placed among
the rodents owing to its general resejublance to them.
Quaint old Isaac Walton must have seen some resem-
blance between the flesh of rabbits and cats, becatrse in
giving iustruetions for making ai paste to eateb carp, he
says: *^take the flesh of a rabbit or cat, cut small, &c.'^
(13, p. 175). The same idea is responsible for a practical
joke in Peregrine Pickle (Chap, xlviii).

The earliest explorei*s in Nortli America found that
the Indians had a taste for, the flesh of the rabbit. The
IndiaBfj held communal hunts, a practice that has con-
tinued iLinti] the ])resent day. Alvar Nuneiz Cabeza do
Yaca, who made the first overland journe}^ in America,
describes one that took placie about 1536 (14, p. 82).
Among the Washo Indians, who occupy a very small
territory in the Sierra Nevada, the rabbit was reigai^ded
as such an important animal that there was a special
hereditary ofBicial, called a rabbit boss,'' whose duty it
was to siij)ervise all eoraani.inal hunting, but esrpecially
that of rabbits. He had no 'authority over single liunters,
but no organised hunt or drive could be carried on with-
out Ir’ls sanction (15, p. 11). As far back as we have any
records lli^ fur was largely used by North American
Indians for clothing. In Coronado's* time, rol)es of woven
ra-bl)it skills were worn (Ifi, ]j. 87). At tiie pres'ent day
ral)l)it-fur forms the basis of felt for hats, and the skin
is largely used for making gelatine jujube, sizing and
glue (1. p. 13). and these animals are extensively bred
for tlie market in both Great Britabi and the United
States of Nortli America.

The ]*a]U(lity witJi which rabbits increase i.s' matlei*
of common knowledge, but tiiere is no reason to believe
that the rate is liigher in Australia tliari in other ]):ii*ts
of the woi’Id. The age at which they commence to breed
is given by difl'erent Avriters as fi’om tliree to ^jix months.

* Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, SpaniUi explorer of New Mexico. A.D 1510.154?.

MA Ji f.,

March, 1923

The Queensland Naturalist. li

Aoeording to one E'aro])eau authority (17, p. 446),
''the yoiiuK rabbit may begin breeding lat the
age of three months,” the period of gestation
being thirty days. This is considered by many
to lie the experience in Queensland, where the first
litter may thus be produced at four months. In New
Soutli Wales it hasJ been stated (18, p. 8) that there is
sufficient evidence that they Jiot only breed at four
months, bait at times at three.” The rabbit attains an
age of seven or eight years f7, p. 494), and may produce
nine fitters in a year. Tlie average fitter may be pait
■down at ,dx. Tlie rate of increase is, however, in Queens-
land. largely dependent upon the season and the abnnd-
anee or scarcity of food, comparatively little breeding
taking place in time of drought. It is, notwitiistanding,
evident that the rate of increase is very high.

Antiquity of Test. — The record of the rabbit as a
nuisance to man extends to ancient limes. Pliny tells
us (3. p. 849) that rabbits iiroduced famine in lli.e Balearic
Ls'lands by destroying the harvests, and that the inhabit-
ants petitioned tlie Emperor Augustus to send soldiers
to reduce the nnmibers of the. rodents. On the authority
of Varro it is stated (3, Vol. II. , p. 295) that a town in
Spain was undermined by their barrows. This writer
is careful to let us know tliat he S'jieaks’ friun personal

experience, for he makes Appins say; ”Vou Varro

were so many years in Spain that 1 believe the

rabbits there followed you here” (i.e., to Italy). Strabo,
also, states (4, Book III., p, 252) that prior to his day
rabbits were, in Spain, "so great a nuisance that even
houses and trees Avei'e overturned (lieing undermined)
by their tvarrens.” However much one may be dis-
posed to receive these venerable tales Avith caution, cer-
tain it is that Spain had the reputation of being rabbit-
infested. The Roman poet, Catullus,’^ confirms this by
alluding to a native of that country as ‘‘rabbit-AA^arren'd
Celtiberia’st ,»on” (19, p. 63).

Coming to later times Ave find the great French

Naturalist, Buffon.;j; saying (20, p. 139), "rabbits

do yet muJti])ly s'o prodigiously in almost every f)lace to
AA-hieli they are transported lliat it is no longer possible to
extirpate tliem, and no small art is required in order to

'* C. Valerius Catullus, B.C.
t Celtiberia, ie., Arragon,

X Comte Georges L. L. de Buffon, A.D. 1707-1788.

The Queensland Naturalist.

March, 1923

diminish their numhers/' And agaiji (p. 142) : ‘‘These
creatures multiply so prodigiously in countries which
are proper for the breed, that the earth cannot furnish
them with std>sisteuce ; they destroy herbs^ roots, grain,
fruit, and ev(m trees and shrubs; and were it not for
the use we make of the dog and the ferret, they would
reduce the country to a desert.”

The celebrated Italian anatomist, Spallanzani,* who
lived aboiit the same period, writing of the Lipari Islands,
asserts (21, Vol. 5, p. 128) that raibbits were the only
animals found in Basiluzzo, and they “nearly' reduced to
des])Hir the few inhabitants of the island b}’ the mischief
they did I 0 their corn.” The p.eo[)le had resort to the
im|)ortHtion of cals, Avhieh subdued the rabbits.

In England, although the poet Draytonf wrote of
rabb?ts in his day as “banish’d quite from every fertile
place” (21, “Polyolhion, fourteenth song, lines ] 18/1- 14),
they have, at times, amounted to a nuisance. The Ground
Game Act. passed in 1880, permitted tenant farmers to
kill rabbits on the land, but even since then they have
done considerable damage. In the year 1898, for instance,
“these animals amounted almost to a plague in som,e parts
of England (28. p. 281). Himpson states that the loss
caused by wild rabbits on estates' in Great P>riftaiii has
been “simply appalling. There are nnmhers of estates
on which the destruction to plantations by rabbits has
far exceeded the damage from all other causes put to-
gether” (24, p. 5).

Even at the present day it is necessary, at times, to
destroy them in Great Britain, and quite recently it was
urged that cultivations be protected by legislation from
the ravages of rabbits, it being argued that a much
larger area of land would be cultivated if this were done.

In the United v^tates of America they destroy
grape vines and garden crops, and are regarded as
‘“serious* j>est‘s to fruit growers on account of their
fondness for the hark of trees and the tender growth of
nursery stock,” and it has been found that their “per-
sistent destruction of small seedling trees interferes ser-
iously Avitli etfeets of the Forest Service to re-forest
mountain slopes” (1. p. 11).

* Lazaro Spallanzani, A.D, 1729-1799.
t Michael Drayton, A.D. 1563*1631.

March, 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

13

Kabbks have 'ceased to be a iiulsaiiee in soinei of tlie
eounlries where they were fonnerly a'bandant, e.g.,
Spain. Tnniwiaj and Algeria, attliongli they are still found
in considerable niunbers in the lastmentioned country.

inlroduclion Into Australia. — In spite of the evi-
dence of the dangei* of so doing, rabbits were deliberately
brought to Australia by the earliest white settlers.
They may, indeed, have been “first fleeters’’
like one species of prickly pear, since with
a despatch from Govej'uor Phillip to Lord
Sydney, dated at Sydney on 9th Jnly, 17M8, was
enclosed a return of 'dji\'e Stock in the Settlement. May
1st, 1788." This return included five i^abbits, three of
which belonged to the (rovernor. and two to the otficcrs
and men of the detachment (25, p. 52). According to
P. (hinuinghaiu. Surgeon, R.N., rabbits were bred al)ont
liOLiset^ in Port Jackson Settlement in 1825, but there
were no Avild ones in enclosures (26). Rabbits, both
domesticated and common, were introduced into Tas-
mania quite a century ago. In “The Colonial Times"
(Tas.) of 11th May. 1827, api)ears the statemenl that
"the eomuioii rabbit is becoming so nninerous througliout
the C^olony that they running about on some large
estates in thousands" (27, p. 9), Ju Victoria, the pres-
ence .of doinestiecded I'abbits is also reported in the
'early days of the settlement, a dispute as to the ownership
of some of these rottents having arisen in May. 1886 (26).
Abo’r.t the year 1844 tvibblls were “thriving well in the
vieinity of the Western Market, Melbourne^ tlieir presHuice
being due to escapes from bntches in the market place
(26). In the same year Rabbit Island, off Wilson's Pro-
montjory, Av'as siaid to be abounding in rabbits." which
liad evidently been Jntrodneed by wdialers, but, being
isolated, eo'uld not escai)e to tlie mainland (26), x\pi»ar-
ently it was not nntii tlie late .fifties that wild rabbits
were introduced to Australia. In 1859 the cliiiper ‘‘Light-
ning” brought to Victoria for Mr. Thos. Austin, of
llamvon Park, near Geelong, what was described as an
“excellent addition tlie live stock of the colony in tlie
sluqie of 66 partridges. 4 iiares, and 24 Avild Lmbbits”
(28, ]j. 36). Mr. Frank Mack, of Narromine. a nepheAv
of Mr. Thos. Austin, informed the Avriter tJial, on arrival,
the rabbits “Avere enclosed In yards made of paling fences
(no Avire netting in those days) and a special gamekeeper
ap])ointed to feed and tend fliem and deslrby their
natural enenr'es Later on, a high flood sAA’iept

14

The Queensland Naturalist.

March, 1923

away the paling fences, and the rabbits got a sicatter on.
bnt still they were in a measure [>rotected, and as a
special favour my uncle presented a le-w pairs to ditfereirt
station-Iiolders in the colony." Tliree years afterwards
they wei‘e reported as * 'becoming a pe^t" (,26). An inter-
es-ting item on tliis subject appeared in "Tlie Yeoman'’
newspaper (Melbourne) of 7th duly, 1865. It read: '‘i\Ir.
Austin, of Ilarwon J^ark, mentions the extraordinary
fecundity of the luvbbit in this colony. Six years ago he
turned out tliiHeen. Since then tiieir ]>rogeny has in-
creased to such an extent that he lias killed off his estate
20, ()()(). and he (umiputes that tJiere must be on hi^ pro-
pei'ty, and in tJie iieighbourhood, at least 10.000.’’ In
the year 1864 we read of a gentlenuni having a large
number of KngUsh wild rabbits — ''p*‘‘tbably two or three
thousamr’ — in a warren near Sydney ("The Brisbane
Coiiriei*," 27th July. 1864). These rahl>its, tlie original
stock of wliich may have been obtained fi’om "\detoria.
do not appear to liave J^ny eonnecrion with the over-
running of Australia, wJiich seems to ha\‘e started from
Barwon l^ark. The late W. W. Hood, an authority on
the rabbit question, told the writer tliat rabbits were
turned loose in different [>ai-ts of Victoria befoi’e they
increased fi-om liar'woii Park, hut they did not flourish.
These were probably domesticated kinds. The wild ones
spread over Victoria rapidly and crossed the Murray
River into Soufli Australia aluml 1878. They Invaded
Xew Soiitli Wales ahonl 18S0. ami Queensland aho'nt flNe
years later. Fn)m South Australia tliey (uitered the
Xorthern 'renutory and Western Auslrajia. Vajitaju
S. A. Wliite. file well-known ornithulogi>?t and explorer,
informed tlie "writer tlial the wild natives met with on
his exp('di’ti'(tns in the interior of Western Australia,
"those who had never come in contact witli wliitcs before,
sfumied vei*y pii/zled about the rabbits, and said they
were a new kind of opossum which came from the Bast,
pointing in that direction. They would not toucli them at
first, 1)111 now tliey looked upon them as good eating."

Introduction Into Queensland. — About two veal’s
after its* foundation, the Queensland Ac’climatisation
Scxdety, in 1864, set aho’nt introducing tlie sii\'er-gr(\\'
rabbit into Queensland. Tliar no danger A\'as ai)pi‘ehendod
from this domesticated rabbit is e\’idenced from the fact
that the lion. Secretary offered 2s. per head for tlu' fii'st
half-dozen bred in the colony (‘‘Brisbane Courier.’’ 27th
July. 1864). The foIloKvibg year a jiroposal to turn loose

March, 1923.

The Queensland Naturalist.

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March, 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

15

S'Oine of ihesi* rtihbiTs dreM’ from a enrrespondeiit to the
paper named ( I-Jlli .May. 1865} a protest on the score of
the dan^'cr ol' their becoming- a nuisance. Ollier doniesti.-
(Oited ral)])its, notably the Melgian and Chinchilla
varieties, were fdso inti'odnced. A (nnisidei'ahle nnmbei*
of rabbits 'wei'e bretl in linl<dies in Hcisibane in these
days (“Ih'isbane Courier,” 41 h Jannary, I!H9). In 1866
some English wild rabbits received from .Mr. Austin, of
Victoria, were forwarded to Woody Island, Wide Bay,
to be turned loose cyHri'shane Coiiriei*," 4()th October.
1866). Two years latter the animal I'enorl of the Society
stated llial lire English wild raibldf had offerted a per-
manenl seltlement on tliis island, *‘from whiidi il would
be difficult, if not impossible, now to dislodge il ’’ (‘’Bris-
bane Courier,” 4th Pebimai'y. 1868). A report jii-estmted
lo the Society in 1869 stated that the wild rabbits on
Woody Island liad increas'ed to such an extent tliat it was
estimated that they numbered fully 12,000 (“Brisbane
Courier." ITtb May. 1869K Silver-grey rabbits were
also liberated on Woody Island, and in 1870 it was re-
])orted to tbe Soeiet\' that the whole of the northern end
of the island was “|)Ositive]y swaianing" 'with llnmi
f'‘ ‘ Expi'ess, ” Brisbane. 21st May. 18701. Tlir Sendety.
liowever. moA'ed eanti'onsiy in attempting to acMiinat ise
1 ‘abbits. confining its effm^s to the islands of Wide Bay
and .Moretnn Bay. A\diere tlieiy would of necessity be
restrained within nari'ow limits C ' Courier.”

31st Angnsl, 1869). Kabbils (most ])robably domesticated
\arieties) wei’e, notwitbstaiiding. turned loose im tlie
sixties in sevei'al places neai* Brisbane. Othci* plaees
wore Wai‘wieJk, llelidon, Clermont. Killvivan. Wbimha
(Burnett Distriet), IMoreton Bay. vi/., Moreton. Strad-
broke, and St. Helena Islands, Kraser Island ( Wide Bay),
]*ercy Island (Xoi-tb Queensland), and Booby Island
(Toi-res Strall). In yoine of these j)laees tiiey ajp^ear to
]ia\'e increased foi- a time. l)nt eventu.-illy (lisappea I’ed.
and the expectation that tliey would not l>ecome a nui-
sance was aj)pareMt]y well founded. None of these I'ahhits
have any eonnection Avith the pest in Queensland to-day,
Avhicli is the I’esult of migration from tlie South.

Not many years passed before the danger of the
rabbits getting beyond control Avas reali^'(‘d- In 1879 a
warning Avas sounded in Parlirament by Mr. G. M. Simt)-
son. Later In the year a Bill to prohibit the further
iiitrodnetion of tliese animals and restrict the breeding
of Them Avas introduced by a priAmte member, Mr. 6. M.

I6

The Queensland Naturalist.

March, 1923

Davenport. This Bill was read a first time only, the
motion for second readiaig lapsing.

Jn the following year another Hill was {broitght
forward, again by a indvate inemiber — tlie lion. E. J.
Stevens. At that time the danger of inva.^ion fi-om the
south seemed remote, and the object of the Bill was to
prevent the spread of rabbits then in Queensland and to
stop the furtlier introduel ion of them. Ohe or tw'o
voices \dere raised againsit tlie Bill as beifng too stringent.
During the dehate in the Legislative Lomicii one mem-
ber said: "To tjrovlde that tlie whole
colony containing millions of acres should b,e debarred
from iintrod'U'ci'ng one of the most domestic, and cer-
tainly the most innocenl. of ciU animals was really too
absurd.” This Bill becanie hnv as ‘‘The Ealibit Ac1 of
f8S0. ” It prohi'hitetd the liringing of live rabbits into
the country, made provision as to the manner in which
rabliits could be kept in coirfinmeii't, made tlie turning
of them loose an offence, and authorised any jierson to
destroy a straying ralbbit.

youth Australia ami Tasmania ^verL‘ the first Ans-
tralian States to legislate against Rabbits. Bills lieing
jias'sed in 1879. Queensland and Victoria followed suit
in 1880. and Xew South Wales in 1883. In the last-
mientloued State the matter had, indeed, been raised in
Barliament in 1881 by ]\lr. E. Quin, but he was not taken
seriousdy, it being suggested that he 'Avould do better to
bring in a Bill to exterminate fleas" (‘29. ]). 21 ).

In 1883 and 188-1 the altention of Parliament was
called by lion. E, J. Stevens to the i'a[)id approach of
rabbits to the Queensland border from the sontli, and
in the latter yeai* an expert sent bv the Government
reported that the rodents were fn'.iy 200 miles from the
border.

Reports, of the a(h'ance of tlie pest continuing to
come to hand tlie Government, in the following year,
again despatched an exjiert to determine the ])ositio.ii of
the rabbits, with the view of deeidiing the best point at
which to commence the erection of a wire netting fence,
v'hich had for some years’ been regarded in the southern
States as the mosl effectuHl method of st 02 )])ing rabbits.
The re])ni't was. to a certain extent, reassuring. It stated
tliat the nearest rabbits Avere about 130 miles away, Avhile
to the south-west, in So-rtli Australia, they were not
nearly so^ elos’e.

March, 1923

i;

The Queensland Naturalist.

The Act of 1880 was re])ealed in 1885 by one that was
on somewhat similar lineSj but gave more ample powers
of destruction.

The authorities were evidently becoming somewhat
alarmed about this time, for on a ship arriving in the
Brisbane River wdh a s{)litary rabbit on boai'd, an official
was sent with orders to yee the unfortunate animal de-
stroyed.

Shortly afterwards, in 1886, the Government com-
meneed the erection o-f a wire netting fence on the
southern bordei’ of tlie State at a point sixteen miles west
of the Warrego River, and the work was continued until,
in 1891, the fence extended to witliiii a Igav m.lles of
Haddon Corner 011 the Soulh Au^traliau boundary (lati-
tude 26 S.). It was afte^rwards extended in an easterly
directio)! to 1\1 ungindi.

It is impos.s’il)le to say where rabbits first entered
Queensland from the South. Some people believe that
it was near Mungindi or Womjmh, while others are of
opinion lliat they ciiuie up tiie Warrego River. This
was in 1886. Less than five years afterwards traces of
rabbits were sieeu 140 miles beyond the fence.

From the time of their invasion of Queensland from
the South there hasi been eontiuual warfare against rab-
bits. The limits of this paper will not permit of the narra-
tion of the measures taken in the endeavour to suppress
them. Numerous Acts of Parliament have been pas, s'ed, over
twenty-one thousand miles of rabbit-proof fences
have been erected in thi.^ Sta!e alone, and mucli public
and private money has been ex[)euded, but the rodents
continue t(t sfwead. It juust not be supposed that they are
always u myriads. The degree of infestation varies,
and thev may be very plentiful at t)ne time in a given
locality, while late)’ on they may be scarce. Almost
exterminated periodically by Nature’s catastrophes in
the shape of dror.ght, bu.>di fire, and flood, as soon as
■conditions are favourable they brciul up again ra])idly
in readiness for the next “set-back.^'

To-day, the d' stribiution oif rabbits is approximately
as’ shown on tlie map appended. They have, in a little
more than sixty yeai-'s. spread over an area of about
1.893.000 s(puir(‘ miles of the territory of Australia, of
which about 256,500 s(|'uare miles is in Queens'land. And
this in spite of the efforts of man to subdue them!

1^

The Queensland Naturalist.

March, I923

REFERENCES.

1. “The Rabbits of North America,” by E. W. NeLson, Nth.

Am. Fauna. No. 29, Bureau of Biol. Survey, U.S. Dept.
Agriculture, Washington, D.C., 1909.

2. “Varro on Farming/' Trans, by Lloyd Storr-Best, M.A.,

London, 1912.

3. “The Natural Hasitory of Pliny/’ Trans, by Bostock and

Riley, London, 1855.

4. “The Geography of Strabo/’ Trans, by H. C. Hamilton and

W. Falconer, London, 1854.

5. “The Geographical and Geological Distribution of Ani-

mals,” by Angelo Heilprin, London, 1887.

6. “The Cambridge Natural History — Mammalia,” by F. E.

Beddard, M.A., London, 1902.

7. “Mammals Living and Extinct/’ by Flower and Lydekker,

London. 1891.

8. ‘Stiuirrels and other Fur-Bearers,” by John Burroughs,

First Ed., New York, 1875.

9. ‘The Poets’ Beasts,” by Phil Robinson, London, 1885.

10. “Nooks and Corners of English Life,” by John Timbs,

London, 1867.

11. “Don Quixote of La Mancha/’ Cervantes, Trans, by P. A.

Motteux, Edinburgh, 1910.

12. “The Amusing Adventures of Guzman of Alfaraque,” by

Mateo Aleman, Trans, by E. Lowdell, London, 1883.

13. “The Compleat Angler,” Walton, London, 1904.

14. “The Jack Rabbits of the United States.” by T. S. Palmer,

M.D., Washington, D.C., 1897.

15. “The Washo Indians/’ by S. A. Barrett, Bull, of the

Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee, May 1917,
\^ol. 2, No. 1.

16. “Indians of the South-we^t,” by P. E. Goddard, Am. Mu-

seum Nat. Hist., Handbook No. 2, New York, 1913.

17. “A Text Book of Zoology.” by Parker and Haswell Lon-

don, 1897.

18. “Practical Hints upon Rabbit Control and Destruction,”

by Alex. Bruc^, Chief Inspector of Stock, Sydney, 1901.

19. “Poems of Valerius Catullus,” Trans, by Jas. Cranstoun,

E.A., Edinburgh, 1867.

20. “Buffon’s Natural History” (Pub. Lib., Brisbane).

21. “Travels in the Two Sicilies,” by the Abbe Lazzaro Spal-

lanzani, Trans, by John Pinkerton, in “A General Col-
lection of the Beat and Most Interesting Voyages and
Travels in all Parts of the World,” London, 1809.

22. “The Complete Works of Michael Drayton,” London,

1876.

23. “Lloyd’s Natural History — Mammals,” by Richard Lydek-

ker, London, 1896.

24. “The Wild Rabbit in a New Aspect,” by J, Simpson, Edin-

burgh and London, 1895.

March, 1923

19

The Queensland Naturalist.

25. “Commonwealth Records of Australia,” Series 1, Vol. 1,

Sydney, 1914.

26. “First Australian Rabbits.” by A. W. Greig, Hon. Secre-

tary. Historical Society of Vicoria, Melbourne “Argus,”
31st May, 1919.

27. “Annual Report of Thos. A. Tabart,” Rabbit Inspector,
Tasmania, Hobart. 1921.

28. “The Victorian Historical Magazine,” Sept., 1913, Vol.

HI., No. 1.

29. “The Rabbit Question in Queensland,” by C. L. Morgan.

Brisbane, 189 8.

WHY THE BIRDS SHOULD BE PROTECTED.

By Mrs. F. H. HOBLER.

A lovely morning* in late September! Ye gods! I
drink the balmy air as I isit under a young mango-tree,
whose low braniches protect my retreat, and s’helter me
from the sun’s rays, already gathering force from the
coming summer. To escape from one s household duties
and sit and feast on the extensive view, and study the
wonderful varietle-s of greens, from the flowering fruit
trees close by, to the light and dark shades in the valleys
and on the hills, is a life worth ■'While.

Then, last but not least, comes the cill of the birds
from every side. Quite close the little pardalote has
her nest in the emUiaiikment, and, by the constant fljdng
to and fro 1 know the ])air are feeding their young. Now
it is a caterpillar, now a small moth, and so on. ever busy
killing the insect life till the tiedgling?^ are ofut in the
world finding their own way — next year in all probabil-
ity to be busy parents’ themselves. The yellow-rumped
tits twitter unceasingly in the hedge close by, their nest
in the fir tree is nehrly completed. 1 watched them lately
as they hopped about the rose-bush that shelters the ver-
anthili; the>’ are fearless litne fellows ami would like to
say to us, “We are only tiny tits, surely no oiie would Imrt
us, and see how We dear the rose boiigiis.” Sure enougli
that Wiis what kept them busy, their wee bills now here
now there pecking off the apliis. What splendid little gar-
deners ! I am told the silver-eye also doea this same work,

20

The Queensland Naturalist.

March, 1923

but so fat' tliey have not appeared; it may be too early in
the season. The bus'h canary sings on, the sweet notes
being heard from all directions'. A pair of double-barred
flnclies are hopping in a bush near by. Their nest, nearly
finislied, is well hidden in Hie thickest part of that pine
tree by the garden fence. A half kerosene tin, nailed to
another tree, 'is tilled with water, and. well sheltered by
the waving houglis of the boaigaiuvillca, .serves both for
drink and hath, and many a bird appreciates tlie tlionght-
fuhiess of the sedroolboy who nailed it there, and keeps
up the supply of fresh w'ater.

'Not far away is the grey butcher bird. He, too,
thinks there is safety in this beautifal garden, S'o he gives
a helping hand to protect the flowers. With one eye be
watclics me, then dovbi he darts, but perchance my near
pres^ence lias made him nervous. for he hasmissed his prey,
one of the largest of gra.sshop])ers. Later he may come
liack for another try. The beautiful little green "pigeon
is seldom abs'ent — some afterrinims as many as six may be
counted as they busily peck here and there about the lawn,
gatliering seteds of weeds and grass, nor do they despise
the cracked maizie \^dlicIl so mysteriously is sprinkled
about. Their colours are truly wonderful — tlieir green
hack^t so much resembling the grass over which they stray.
Why indeed shonld they not be protected! Indeed it is
time the catapult he abolished! Should the average boy
possess one it is only in human nature that he ‘Mets drive^’
at a bird rather than at an inanimate object. Only the
other nig’'ht we were awakened by a seriiumage on the
roof and the squeals of a rat which presently died
away in the distance a night-hawk flew off
witli its jirey. These hird.s are ever on the alert while man
takes his nigtitly rest, busily lessening the fields oi* gar-
dens of rats and mice. Flitting near me now is the rest-
less flycatcher, surely its wee body set on springs, for
it os never still. His curiosity hi-ings him (piite close, and
he eyes me knowingly. Quite lately did one very much
annoy an ardent moth collector, for as he walked care-
fully. the nel ready to scooj) \\\) the first insect that rose,
down would come master flycatcher and in many ins’taii'ces
would (*ar!'y off tbe jn’ize. Evtm sticks did not frighten
him much, for he would soon he back at his tricks.
Surely, the birds too arc out to enjoy 1ho spring morn''ng:
there ^eenis no end to them. The large summer-bird now
flies from bush to bush. It takes a good many grubs and
caterpillars to satisfy his hunger, bait he is a shy bird and

March, 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

21

soo)i flies off, preferring to keep to the higher boug'hs.
Two dolhirJbirds liave howvi over. Theirs is an amniiisical
note and the'ir colouring (piito out of the ordinary. One
lonely jackass sits on the rose-trellis^ a study in sobriety,
but should any insect move below, then let it beware. The
s'parrow.s and starlings of coui'se are to be seen, but of
these I know little. I love onr own native birds best,
their lives seeming to be (it may be fancy) so much higher,
freer, and sweeter, than those of the imported birds. Pro-
tect the birds? aye, indeed! They have enemies enough.
With the closer Mettlement the dingo has gone b-aek thus
leaving the goaniia to increase, kept down only in some
districts by the poisoning for crows o'f dead sheep, but be
is a fatal enemy to our birds, stealing both eggs and
young. One instance of which I Was told lately was seen
by an eye-witness. They were camped for dinner, eating
their aandwiche's of beef and damper when from across
the river came cries of distress from a hollow limb in a
big gum tree. Two white cockatoos immed''ately
a]^])C'ared, screaming, and flapping their wings. Pre-
sently from out the hole crawled an immense goanna,
dragging with him a half-ffeilged cockatoo. The re]mated
attaebs of the parent birds pre.sently caused the reptile
to release its hold, the young bird falling to the ground,
when a little later the goanna followed to recapture and
devour h's i)rcy. Interference by the onlookers was
impossible as tlie river was then running a strong cur-
rent.

The domestic eat gone wild is anolhei' set back to
bird life. Wliat numihers of birds do they devoiiir, and
the young ones have no ho])e of escape. The quiet old
squatter i)igeon, which at one time was so numerous, is
now almost a bird of tile P^st — in the Central District
at least. O-n the Downs the fox is fast demolishing the
homely [ffain turkey, their remaining on the ground at
night making them an easy victim. They are, of course,
■afraid of dogs, but J once v'atcluxl one show fight to
our sheep dog, who evidently Avas only on for a play,
or may be thought tlm bii’d ehould Ije yardtul up! It was
early morning and qii te close to the garden fence. Am
afraid that turkey evoiitually landed iu the o\'en ! Where
fruit is groAVU for sale, the birds if destroying it, must be
kept down. Or often o'ut in the back country, wlliere
little fruit is grown, and that little precious, it is neces-
sary to keep the birds in check. 1, myself, Iiave been
.guilty ’of the death of many a pink-crested bower-bird.

22

The Queensland Na urali^t.

March, 1923-

One coming to the garden will bring a number of others.
Emus are destro'ved mobCly for their otfence of pear-
spreading. You Avould exterminate the big curious bird?
]kit what of the ci-ow and the mountain magpie — both
lovers of the pear fi'uit and hmh of long tiigbt? The. bower
and many other birds show a fondness for the pear. I
hold that it is impoHa’ible and foolish to think to prevent
the spread of this pest by destroying any of the feathered
race, (diecdc bird life, and where would we be? 1 have
watched the siual'ler kind of black cockatoos using their
beaks to fear otf bits of bark from the myall trees and
eagerly devouring the grubs found arndierneatli, thus
preserving the life of these trees, which are most usefu]
for feeding stock in time of drought. Each bird, to
the tiniest wreip luui its mission, and how soon the little
birds know tliey ’w’dl not be harmed. Two little wrens
came to our garden and stayed most of the winter, at
least one did. The other, evidently the male, as darker
feathers were beginning to sliow in his perky tail,
dis'ai)pcarcd, probably a prey to some eat or larger bird.
The solitary wee mate soon learned to eome on the
verandah, and would hop foarle^sly about near the door,
picking up ciaimbs of bread, wliteh we loved to throw it.
The peewees, too, liked their crumbs, and would hang
round the back kitchen door most of the morning. Pro-
tect tile birds I Indeed we must. Nature's laws decree
that tile bigger feed on the lesser, and the small on the
still smaller. Is man over all? Then let him see to it
that he protects those which are our helpers^ those feath-
ered friends of ours who bihghten our lives by their sweet
happy notes, and whose constant Avork is in our interests.
The man on the laiul has hard rows to plough. Nature
fights him on all sides; s'till by way of eompensatiou, a
sop she tbroAv.s in as it Averc, the birds, whose eoinibined
forces keep in check tlie insect life which otherwise
Avould destroy a'll vegetable groAAdh, Avould render life
impossible iiinder such circumstancea And noAA^ as T lay
aside my pen there comes the soft constant call of the
jieacefnl dove adding its voice as it Avere in supplication
of our protection.

March, 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

23-

SOME BIRDS OF STRADBROKE ISLAND OF
TO-DAY

By MRS. MAYO.

Following on Mr. Illidge’-sf article “Birds of Strad-
broke Island observed during tlie years 1868-1880/’ a
few notes on tlie birds of the Island at the present d-ay
may prove interesting. For the last decade onr holidays
and odd vrcek-ends have been spent cruis'ing between the
Brisbane River and southern end oi' Moreton Bay — that
end of Stradbroke opposite Southport Iming usually head-
([iiarters during the (hiristmas and Easter periods. Very
little of 1he jungle at Porpoise Point is left; humans are-
responsible tor the disappearanee of the orchids, stag-
horns. and hirdne.s-t fern; and the always encroaching
sand has qu' le covered some of the jungle towards the
bar, while lots, of the big trees have been undermined and
Avashed aAvay by the sea. Satin bird, cat bird, I’egent
bird, and powerful owt must have gone many years ago —
for I have not observed them in the ten years of my
island wanderings. Bright little “^^elloAv bob”
{Eopsaliria chrysorrhoa) still flashes about the scrub
between the s-helter shed and the ocean beach, but the
large-headed and hooded robins are away — 1 hough I have
seen the hooded robin round Myoi'a — hut vcjy rarely.
Gerigone albogulari.< (the little native canary) has.
gone; but its place has been taken by the equally '^weet-
voiced Gerigone canUitor — the last is to be heard
amongst the mangroves and all along the foreshores of
the bay. Of the honey-eaters the “little brown”
rnaiops oaiiaris and the Avhite-cheeked {M. sericea)
are t)retty well all over the island, and 1 noticed them
bo'th in great ^numjbers round the Point iu October, and
again in December, 1922. in the banks* a at Curragee
the singing honey-eater (Ptilods Sonora) and the yelloAV
tufted auricomis) were very lively. Leather heads.
(corriiculatuSy citireogu laris, and another kind that
I have not been able to identify), together with brush
wattle birds also fill the air with their breezy chatter.
They are on the island all the year round. Most of the

24

The Qii 'ensland Naturalist.

March, 1923

pigeoijs have gone, but the little green pigeon (C. Chry~
sochlora) and the whitedhroiited pigeon were at Por-
poise Point at (■'hristinas. J5ut other day^ft* other manners,
and neither of tlio-s^ birds M-ere introduced into our stews.
King quails 1 have not noticed, but the little brown quail
{Synoiats Australis) was I'unniiig about with her brood
early in January. The kingfishers hold their own well on
Stradbroke (Azure, Macieay, Sanctus, and Sordidus),
togettier Avith jaeka-M-ies and butcher birds. I have no
doubt the tAvo tatter birds are largely resi)onsib!e for
the .scarcity of the smaller bird famines — they take
heavy toll. Blue mountain parrots and ‘‘greenies'’ Avere
feeding in the banksia and iioney trees in October last.
They are a hard bird to see when feeding. A year or
tAvo back parrots, leather heads, and honey-e-aters — a
nohy throng — Avere feeding in great niim'bers on the Hoav-
oring grass trees round Myora, and were easily observed.
Bronze, fantailed, and pallid cuckoos shll tind it easy to
foist their eggs on the Avdiite-cheeked honey-eaters — those
birds have groAvn no Aviser than tlieii* forbears. It wa.s
pathetic to see the little honey-eaters last 01ndstma.sq they
Avorked from dawn to dark trying to fill the Jiiouths of
their foster babes.

Kainbow bird and dollar bird are ahAoiys to be seen
at the PoMit, but 1 have neAwr seen the scra'b magpie
there. Our vk'its to the Island may not have 'coincided,
for I don't think the bird a resident. Stradbroke is a
Irappy liiniting ground still for both thruslies (harmoiiica
and rufigaster) No matter wliat point you touch at
071 the way to Southport you are su7*e to hear a tkrush
singing close at hand. One little path (near Myora)

I ha\^e never walked along Avithout see’ug harmonica
busily searching for grulbs. We called the path ''Tlirusir'^
Walk.'* I think, thougli, the thrushes on Stradliroke
have not the varied song of t'he mountain birds. The pied
catei'pillai’-ealer .(6\ leucomela) is common all over
Bti-adbroke, is a very friendly bird, and ■comes down
readily to a call. 1 do not .see the while-shouldered (C
humeralis^ so often. Peeweets'. p pits, granculus. and
AVillie Avagtails are to be found from one end of the Island
to the other. SAvamp ])heasants, stone, and spur-winged
plovers, are all there. I woiidei* did the big Avhite-bellied
■sea ^'^^^{HaliaetusleucogasUr)\\\i^i opposite Willes’s in
Canaipa Pa'.-^sage in Mr. Illidge’s day. We always see'

March, 1923

The Queer sland \^aturalist.

25

an adult pair, and at t'imes the buff and brown young-
ster^, but 1 don't think they breed every year. The old
birds used to percb for hoiire at a stretch on the big
guui trees of the liill overlooking the water, and T wont
easily forget my disgust when I heard for the first time
their voiees. I can’t call their singing anything but
quacking. 1 am told that this eagle does not dive for
fish, but often I have observed the bird sitting drenched
and ini'iserable on a beacon or post in the bay. They did
not look as though they had enjoyed the dip. so I thought
they may have misjudged their distance in picking up
fish and gone right in. The whistling eagle (Haliastur
sphenurus) and white-headed sea eagle {HMucosiermus)
patrol the mud flats between Dunwich and Amity, and
nest, together with the crows and mangrove bitteims, in
the big old mangroves along the 'shore. The oriole and
figbird nest on the island, too, but 1 think the drongo
goes to the hills to nest and only comes back in the
autumn. Mr. lliidge does not mention the koel cuckoo
in his li-^t; that bird is often seen, and ofteuer heard,
nowadays. The orange-backed wren was nesting near
Roe’s camp last October, and I hear the silvery blue'
wren is also in that locality. If so, it must have crossed
the water at last. The sianguiueous honey-bird is plenti-
ful all over Stradbroke, and makes a charming colour-
scheme as it hangs head down from the honey cones of
the banksi'a bushes.

Itirds obft'erveld 011 Stradbroke Island, opposite
Southport, during three days at Christmas, 1922: — Yel-
low robin, grey thrush, rufous thrush, rufous whistler,
little brown honeyeater, white-cheeked hone^'cater and
white-naped honeyeater, leatherheads, briusii wattle birds,
pied caterpillar eaters, gerigone cantator, white eared
flycatcher (nest located by IIjGO, aziu'e. aancto-is, Macleay
and sordid kingfishers, white-s;hafted fantail, Willie Wag-
tail, butcher birds (craeticus and nigra), kookabm'ras.
peaceful dove, welcome swallows, stone plovers, spur-
winged plovers, fig birda, crows, grauculou's Avliite-
throated pigeon, koel and pallid cuckoos, white-headed
tree runners, pee wees. Of the s'hore bird^: — Godwits,
ibis, curlews, ^vliimbrel. teirn, gulls, sea eagles, herons,
pelicans, egrets, bitterns, cormorants, oyster catchers,
and dottrels, together with a mumber of snake birds.

26

The QueenslanH Naturalist,

March, 1923

NEW BOOK.

An Elementaiy Text Book of Australian Forest
Botany. Vol. 1. By C. T. White, P.L.S. (Government
Bohanist of Queensland). Pu'blished by the N.S.W. For-
estry Connnivssion, Sydney. Priee 7/6. To be completed
in lAvo volumes.

Text books on natural science subjects dealing almost
entirely with Australian types are few in number. A
welcome addition to literature of this descrijation is the
above Avork published by the Forestry Commission of
New South Wales. As the title indicates the Avork is
primarily intended for the use of forest officers and
i^tudents of Australian forest schools. In the pi’esent
Avork Australian Avoody plants or plants commonly culti-
vated in Australia have been ipioted as examples of the
application of botanical terms. The value of field charac-
ters is particularly stressed. A useful feature is the
furnishing of the derivations of practically all the
scientific terms used. The book is copiously illustrated
by photographs and drawings, mostly oi-iginal, and is
recommended to all naturalists desirous of undertaking
in any Avay the serious study of Queensland j>i.mt life.

0

SYLLABUS OF MEETINGS, APRIL— JUNE.

March 30 — April 2. — Excursion to Beech Mountain.

Ai)ril 23 — Evening meeting. Reports of Excursions and
Exhibits.

May 5 — 7. — Excursion to Mt. Glorious.

May 21. — Evening meeting. Lecture by 11. A. Longman,
F.L.S. (Curator, Queensland Museum), on ‘‘Ex-
tinct Anim'als.^^

June 2 — 4. — Excursion to Stradbroke Island (southern
end), via Southpjort.

June 18. — Evening meeting. Lantern lecture in Geology
Lecture Theatre, Queensland Univei'sity, on
‘‘Mount Kosciusko/' by Prof. H. C. Richards,
D.Sc.

, March, 1923

The Queensland Naturalist,

27

EXCHANGES.

Tlu* following 'additions have recently been made to the
Club's Library: —

South Australian Naturalist, Vol. IV., No. 1. Nov., 1922.
Australian Naturalist, Journal and Magazine of the Natur-
alists’ Society of N.S.W., Vol., V., No. 4, Oct., 1922.
Manchester Microscopical Society, Annual Report and Tran-
sactions. with List of Members for 19 21, September, 1922.
American Midland Naturalist, Vol. VIII., Nos. 4 and 5, July-
Sept., 1922; University of Notre Dame, Indiana, U.S.A.
Scientific Australian, Vol. 28, No. 9, Dec., 1923.

United Empire, Royal Colonial Institute Journal, Vol. XIV.,
No. 1, January. 1923.

Ohio Journal of Science, Vol. XXII., Nos. 6 and 7.

Agricultural Gazette of Canada, Vol. X., No. 5.

Lloyd Library Bulletin. No. 21, Entomological Series; No. 1,
The Biology of North American Caddis Ply Larvae, by
J. T. Lloyd; 1921.

Ditto. Vol. 22; ditto. No. 2. Notes on the Biology of Some
North American Species of May Flies, by Helen E.
Murphy; 1922.

Queensland Museum Memoirs, Vol. VII., Pt. 4. with six
plates (contains an interesting article on an Ichthyo-
B.'iurinn skull from Galah Creek, by Mr, Heber A. Long-
man, Director).

Cornel; Universitv Agricultural Experiment Station Memoirs.
N.-s.—

4t!. - A Classification of the Cultivated varieties of Barley,
by R. G. Wiggans (contains some beautifully col-
oured plates).

49.— Biology of Ephydra subopaca lillustrated ) .

51. — The Hog Louse, by Laura Florence (illustrated).

52. — Studies in Pollen, with special reference itn longev-

ity, by H. E. Knowlton.

Field Museum of Natural History^ Chicago, Vol. VI., No. 1,
Annual Report of Director to Trustees for 1921.
:Smithsonian Institute Reports. —

2635. — ^Rhythm in Nature, by F. W. Flattely.

26 36. — ^Parasitism and Symbiosis in their Relation to
Problem of Evolution by M. Caullery.

2637. — Local Suppression of Agricultural Pests by Birds,
by W. L. McAtee (3 plates).

2638. — Occult Senses in Birds, by H. H. Beck.

2639. — Adventures in the Life of a Fiddler Crab, by O.
W. Hyman (with 6 plates).

28

The Queensland Naturalist.

^March, 1923

2641. — The Resplendent Shield-Bearer and the Ribbed
Cocoon Maker, by R. E. Snodgrass, with 3 plates
(two insect orchard pests).

2642. — ^Origin of Insect Societies, by A. Lameere.

2643. — ^Botanical Gardens of Jamaica^ by W. R. Maxon,

with 20 plates. ,

Museum d’Histolre Naturelle Paris Bulletin Annee, 1921,
Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7; also 1922, Nos. 1 and 2.

McGill University Publications, Series II.. Botany, Nos. 4-11.
Aquatic Life (Baltimore, U.S.A.), Vol. VI., No. 8, Sep't., 1922.
Natural History — Journal of the American Museum of Natural
History, Vol. XXII., No. 6, Nov.-Dee., 1922. (A beauti-
fully illustrated number; contains an article lon Aus-
tralia’s Wonderful Wild Life, by Mr. Charles Barrett,
of Melbourne.)

Hawaiian Entomological Society, Proceedings, 1921, Vol. V.,
No. 1, Oct., illustrated. (Contains interesting article
on introduction of Australian Lady Bird into California
in 1889.

Queensland Geological Survey Publication, No. 270; Palaeo-
zoic Floras of Queensland, Part 1; the Flora of the
Upper and Lower Bowen Series, with 9 plates, by A. B-
Walkon, B.Sc.

i!

:{i

■i!

jf

II

\\

If

(f

i;

■i!

'il

If

)i

BOOKS FOR THE
NATURALIST

Yj^E have just purchased the second
section of the Library of the late
JOHN SHIRLEY, D.Sc., and are

now offering these books for sale indi-
vidually. A Catalogue is being pre-
pared and will be posted to anyone
asking for same, in which all items will
be found to be reasonably priced.
Another purchase is the Library of the

late JAMES JOHNSTONE,

Inspector of Schools, which, though
largely Educational, covers much value
to the Naturalist. Such items will be
added to the Catalogue mentioned
above. We are continually receiving
smaller parcels, and these occasionally
cover much sought for Natural History
Volumes: you will, therefore, find it a
good plan to let us register a list of
your wants that you may have early ad-
vice of such items, should they appear.

GEORGE H. BARKER

and Secondhand Bookseller

225 ALBERT STREET BRISBANE. Q.

Telegraphic and Cable Address : — "Librorum. Brisbane.”

Code: — “Bentleys.”

VoL. IV., No. 2. Sept., 1923

PRICE II-

Queensland naturalist

journal of tbe

Queensland naturalists’ Club

AND

nature-Eouers’ Ceague.

'' 77ie Poetry of Earth is fiever dead P —K k ATS.

The Author of each Article is responsible for the Statements

expressed therein.

CONTKXT^S :

Proceedings
A Piece of Fungus

29

33

Insects and Birds Observed During Cedar Creek

and D’ Aguilar Range Excursion 34

Notes on the Nymphalid Butterfly 36

An Interesting Insect Larva 39

Reputed Blue-Flowering Variety of Portulaca Bicolor 40

Queensland Wild Flowers 41

List of Birds Seen at Stradbroke Island 43

Nature Notes -"44

Tb« Oftrter-WaUoD C 41 .. Ltd., 65 Eimtetb at., BriiMm*.

The Queensland Naturalists’ Club

- AND -

Nature-Lovers’ league.

Official Journal — The Queensland Naturalist,

0

OrFJOK KKAUKUS,

0

Patron:

Sir Matthew Nathan, G.C.M.G., Governor of Queensland.

President:

Mr. C. T. White.

Vice-Presidents :

Mrs. C. A. Messmer and Prof. E. S. Goddard,

Hon, Secretaries :

Messrs. J, C. Smith (Naturalists' Club)

c/o Murray Fraser, Charlotte St., Brisbane ; and

C. G. Stevenson (Nature-Lovers’ League),

Fitzroy Buildings, Elizabeth St., Brisbane.

Hon. Treasurer:

Mr. G. H Barker,

Albert Street, Brisbane.

Hon. Laniernist: Hon. Librarian:

Mr. W. M. Tanner. Mr. G. H. Barker (acting)

Committee:

Mr. R. Illidge. Mr. R. L. Higgins.

Mr. W. R. Colledge. Mrs. Mayo.

Hon. Editor y Naturalist :

Mr. C. T. White.

Subscriptions :

Ordinary Members 10s. per annum.

Country Members Ss. per annum.

Nature-Lovers’ Certificate, 4d.

Monthly Meetings are held at No. 15, First Floor,

■Clourier Buildings, Brisbane, on the third Monday of every month.

Che Queensland naturalist.

JOURNAL OF THE OUEENSLAM) N ATURALISTS’ CI>UH
AND nature-lovers' LEAGUE.

V^)L. IV. September, 1923 Xo. 2.

PROCEEDINGS.

April — August, 1923.

Evening Meeting, 23rd Aijril. — The principal subject
nas a talk by the President (Mr. C. T. White), on the
jlora of Bellenden Ker Ranges, Nortli-East (Queensland.
Mr. White, accomiuinied by Mr. A. L. Merrolsy and Mr.
E. W. Bick. had recently ascended the central peak of the
Bellenden Ker Ranges, and coll> 0 cted sjjecimens of the
flora. The flora of the ranges is interesting, as it is the
northern limit in Australia of several ^Southern types,
such as Dracoitliyllum and Drimys, and on the other
hand, is interesting as eontaining such Himalayan types
such as Agapetes and Rliododeudron. The trip was un-
dertaken principally to collect seeds of two species of
Mangosteen, viz., Garcinia Mestoni and G. Gibbsae,
which grow on the ranges in abundance at altitudes
from 1,700 to 4.700 feet. The seeds were desired by the
United States Department of Agriculture, who are
anxious to use these plants as stocks, and for hybridis-
ing purposes with the ordinary mangosteen. This latter
can only be grown under definitely tropical conditions.

Exhibits at the meeting were: — Collection of col-
oured sands from Noosa. by Mr. Hermann; specimens of
j.'lants and mantis egg case, by Mr. Wheeler. A case of
butterflies by Mr. Illidge.

Evening Meeting. 21st May. — A lecture was de-
livered by Mr. IL A. Longman, P.L.S. (Director, Queens-
land Museum), on Prehistoric Nature,” of which the
following is a summary:- —

Although the study of fossil bones did not sound at-
tractive. the lecturer showed that it tinveiled a large
iiumbcr of very wonderful organisms, and gave vivid
luetures of the long panorama of extinct life which
stretched hack through one hundred millions of years.

Sept.. 1923

^0 The Queensiaiid Natutaiisl.

Deposits on the Darling Downs showed a wealth oi: mar-
supial life. The giant Dipi’otodon, with a skull a yaro
in length, was the largest known marsupial. The l)riga-
I 0 W skull, naiuetl Euryzygoina, was one of the most gro-
lesque nieiulters ot tin* mammalia, and its large cheek
plates flared out on eaeii side of its head, which was
s'ighlly wider than its*aeliial length. JSoiue of the giant
kangaroos of the past would have easily dwarfed their
successors, and in one species the fore and hind legs were
almost equal. The so-calh'd “pouched ass, “Phascolomus,
was an immense wombat. Tlio Tasmanian “DeviP’ and
fhe marsupial wolf were n-presented by fossil relatives in
Queensland. A large (oindvore, known as the pouched
!ion (Thylaeoleo) evidendy took a heavy toll of the
lierhivorous marsuj)ials. end many of the boires found
with it showed the marks of its teeth.

Large crocodiles once wandered about South Queens-
land, and a giant lizards, allied 1() the monitors or goannas
of to-day, was about 16 feet long. Fossil deposits showed
that certain inland parts of Australia, now arid, were
very fertile, and supported many forms of aquatic life.
The skull of an immense horned tortoise had been found,
the nearest relatives of wdiich w'cre fossils from Lord
Iiowe Tslaiid and ibitagonia.

The lecturer showed a number of marine fossils from
Western Queensland, which liA’ed in the Cretaceous ocean
tlint once se])arated Australia into eastern and wcsteim
parts. Amongst these were the fish-like lizards known as
ichthyosaurs, a»nl a giant turtle nann‘d Cratoehelone.
which was twice the size of the largest turtles of to-day.

■ 11 addition to Australian animals, a large number of
slides were screened, illustrating the more ri'inarkable
fossil vertebrates from other lands. One of tlu'se, nanusl
'1 yraimosaurus, from Hell Creek, Montana, TJ.S.A., was
a colossal carnivorous animal, whose capacious mouth
was armed with strong teeth, the skull being about
o feet in length.

F]vening Meeting. IHth June. 1923. — Prolessor ¥ j .
(ouldard. B.A.. R.Se., before a large gathering of mem-
bers. delivered an interesting address on the geology ami
l)(dnny of South Africa. Professor Goddard, before his
ei)])ointment at the Queensland University, held the posi-
lioii (if Professor of Geology and Biology at the Stellen-
liosch TTniversity, Cape Colony, for 13 years. The differ-
nil floral regions traversed, and a large series of

lantern slides shown. depictiTig types for a larire }>art

Sept., 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

familiar to Australian gardens, such aa ericas, antho-
ioyza, calla lilies, gladiolus, ueriue, ornilhogalum, etc. In
all cases Prol’essor Goddard correlated the geological for-
mations with the diiferent lloral regions. A vote of
ihanks was accorded the lecturer, on the motion of Mr.
ileber A. Longmaai, seconded by Mr, H. Trypn. At the
same meeting a report on the ornithology of the recent
Stradbroke Island exc arson of members was given by
(See page 43.) Mr. 11. Tryon, Mrs. Mayo, Mr. Longman,
Mr. W. B. Alexander, who listed about 80 species of birds,
and Mr. Aider discussed the report.

Evening Meeting, 23rd July. — Mr. K. lllidge read a
paper on the nymphalid butterily, Hypolimnaa, bolina
uerinas (see page 3b). Dr. A. J. Turner and Mr. H. Tryon
uiscussed the paper. Mr. VV. Li. Coiledge exhibited a
specimen of a large pliasma, whieh was commented on by
Mr. lllidge and Mr. Tryon. Mr. L. Franzen exhibited a
ease of homopierous insects, collected by iiim at liock-
hampton. Mr. G. 11. Barker gave a few notes on the birds
observed on the last excursion of the club to the One-
Tree Hill area. Mrs. W, M. Mayo read a short paper on
ihe finding of the nest of i\lonarclia leucotis at Strad-
broke Island by Miss Geissiuann and herself, and also ex-
iiibited specimens of two species of Nautilus, which were
commented on by Mr. Tryon. The President (Mr. G. T.
White) exhibited a number of dried specimens of plants
collected on Fraser Island by Mr. K. L. Higgins, also
specimens of Khododeudron Lochae and Agapetes Aleini-
ana, collected on Mt. 8purgeon by Mr. A. L. Morrotsey.
these plants had not been known previously from any
other locality tluin the Bellenden Ker Ranges. Mr. White
also showed specimens of the fruit of Adansona Gregorii,
the Austi'alian baobab tree, collected in the Kimberley
district, North-west Australia, where the trees were
lairly common.

Evening .Meeting, 2Uth August. — Mr. R. lllidge read
three small itai)ers on entomology, the first dealing with
a new species of tnotli, bred by him from larvae found
jn the wood of Capparis nobilis, a small scrub tree com-
mon in Boutii-eastern Queensland. The moth had been
named by Dr, A, J. Turner as Stypholepis hyper-
juegas. The second paper dealt with a series of
insects asso<'iated witii a large fungus, Polyporus por-
Tentosus. found at One-Tree Jlill, on a recent excursion
of members to that localily. (See ])age 33.) The third
paper was a rei)ort on some insects seen at Cedar Creek

52

The Queensland Naturalist.

Sept., 1923

and D^Agxiilar Eange during a visit of memhers there in
the earlier part of the year. Mr. lllidge also exhibited a
case of silver-spotted Pritallaries, and the large web
formed by a species of processionary caterpillar. Mr. L.
Pranzon exhibited a case of butterflies from the Book-
hampton district, and itoted on what plants the cater
]>illars of some species fed. Mr. W. M. Tanner exhibited
a slide of radium, showing emanations. Mr. T. C. Smith
exhibited, on behalf of Mr. 1). Purlis, two almost perfect
casts of snake skins. Mr. (\ T. White (President) ex-
hibited a series of nuts of the gonna Macadamia, inch'd-
ing a number of distinct forms of the common Queens-
land nut (Macadamia ternifolia), these latter including
a particularly thin-shelled variety raised by Mr. J. P.
Waldron, of the Fpper Tweed Eiver.

^ _o

PRESENTATION.

At the special meeting held on the 27th July, to
make arrangements in connection with the wild flower
show and Natural History Exhibition, the opportunity
was taken of presenti)ig to Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Stevenson,
on behalf of the members, a set of stainless cutlery. The
President briefly reftuTcd to Mr. Stevenson’s services as
Honorary Secretary, first of the Gould League of Bird
Lovers, and latterly of the Nature Lovers’ Leagxie. Mr.
J. C. Smith supported the President’s remarks in praise
of Mr. Stevenson, and the latter snitably responded.

0 ;

BURNY VINE.

Recently, when in the sernb (rain-forest) at Upper
Enngolla. Tweed River. N.S.Wales, Mr. J, B. Waldron
drew my attention to a vine locally known as "Burny
Vine”; the long wiry stems of this plant, if they become
nibbed across the bare skin when one is travelling
through the send). Ituivcs a mark like a burn across the
skin, the skin first turns rer! and then hrown. and finally
oeels off. The A’ine proved to be Malaisia tortuosa. (family
Moraceae). fairly ('ommon in the coastal ‘^scrubs” of
Queensland, from tlie Tweed River in the South, to the
New South Wales l)order in the extreme north. I tested
the truth of Mr. Waldron’s statement about the plant by
rubbing a young growing stem lightly across ray wrist,
and noticed soon afterwards the charaeteristic whip-like
band of red across the skin, a. T. WHTTK.

Sept., 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

33

A PIECE OF FUNGUS.

Polyporus Portentosus.

(By E. Illidge.)

This WHS pieked uji by one of us in the Mt. CootiiH
Keserve. it look(*d like a bit of dry bread thrown out:
from the kiosk, but a very little examination shewed it to
be a piece of what is known to bushmen as ‘Tunk/’ a
kind of funpfus which i^rows on the sides of j>um-trees,
mostly of the smootli-bark varitdies, as gray-p:um and
spotted ^um, sometimes low doAvii, but mostly high up,
out of reach. Tn the early days of Queensland, when
bushmen carried their metal box of tinder with flint and
steel, this was the usual mattwial which formed the con-
tents of the box. When freshly obtained, and in good
eondition, it has not the s])Ongiose appearance exhibited
by this fragment, but is of a soft, slightly coriaceous
texture, and perhaps more like fine eork than anything
else. Tl is extremely light, and takes fire very readily
from the sparks thrown off wluui flijit and steel are
struck sharply together. The ai)ongiose eondition of this
particular piece forming the subject of our remarks has
been caused by the depredations of the larvae of beetles
belonging to the family of the Erotylidae, illustrated
herewith hy seven s^:»eeies, five of which belong to genus
Thallis, and two to genus Episeapliula. There are other!
species of these arboreal fungi, one of which is of a hai'd.
woody nature, dark brown, and found at the base of
stems of the scrub box. usually a very large tree. It is
infested by a beetle of another family, the Tenebrionidae,
in all stages, ajul is a spiudes of Byrsax. On smooth
‘•viaces. also said to be fungoid, (ui the otherwise rough
of the Tower part ttf the same sernb-box. other t(‘no-
brionids are found, as the largt* and. strange Zoyiherosis
georgii. whieli has been aptly termed the iron-bark
beetle, because of the hardiness of its integument, which
can only be pierced by steel pins, as also from its simi-
larity to the bark of the ironbark gum. on which it is.
however, not found.

Thallis insueta sometimes appears in thousands on a
fungus. esp(*(dan>^ from the' roots of great iron-bark and
stringy-barl< 1i*fM‘S. just burnt doAvii. whilst the
ground is still so liot that it. is risky to
Avalk on. The fungus is • of a jelly-like coiisis-
tenee. in large white masses radiating from the centre.

Sept., 1923

34 Queensland Naturalist.

t.iice the stem of the tree, and glows at night with a pale,
lambent light. In company witli Thallis insueta, but in
smaller numbers, is a tenebrionid— Typhobius sp.

0

INSECTS AND BIRDS OBSERVED DURING CEDAR
CREEK AND D AGUILAR RANGE EXCURSION.

5th to 7th May, 1923.

(By R. lilidge.)

On the way to Cedar Creek to our Camp at the foot
of the Range, the most noticeable fact was the lamentable
absence of the prolific bird life which once frequented
the scrub and adjacent forest country. The belt of scrub
along the creek is now cleared off, and this accounts for
the disappearance of its birds, which have either retired
further afield to the mountain scrubs, or have fallen be-
fore the shot guns of the settlers, who also appear to have
had no respect for such birds of the forest around, which
might not only have been of A’alue to them as insect de-
stroyers, but also from an aesthetic point of view, cheer-
ful companions of the monopoly of bush life in their gay
and sprightly forms, charming songs, and delightful
calls. Alas! there are but few left, even the peewit being
scarce. I can see and hear more birds in half-an-hour
m my garden at Biilimba than 1 did during the time
spent at this camp. Another factor which must be taken
into account is the parties of boys who travel up by train
Avith shot-guns and pea-rifles, and knock over even small
birds, as honey-eaters and otlier tiny iTisect-eaters. which
are now supposed to be entirely protected by law. If the
station-masters Avere instructed by their department to
disalloAv carriage of these Aveapons in the trains except
<in si)ecial license, much assistance would be rendered
“The Birds’ Protection Act,” and the farmers them-
seh'es grateful for abatement of wliat must be a
raiisance.

On the day after arriA^al Av^e took tlie road n]t to ]\Tt.
Glorious, the settlers’ name for this ])art of the range.
Being a someAvhat large party, not mnch opportunity
oeciirred for bird observation, so insect life Avas investi-
gated. with A’ery good results, especially Avhen the late-
ness of the season is considered.

The Queensland Naturalist.

Sept.. 1923

35

Insects.— The first three tniles of the journey up
jjroved a hit rough, and provided but little in the way of
specimens. However, just at tlie turning of' the road to
Ihe right for our destination, a welcome change in the
soil occurred, and coleoptera were found in considerable
numbers under logs. Here was obtained a fine specimen
of Triclioslornus wilsoni. a carabid of deep j)urple hue. es-
jmeially on head and jn'otiotum. Another carabid was the
rare (’aiTiium brishanense, shining coppery in colour. In
the Tcnebrionidae specimens of Seirolrana mastersi
were very numerous. On turning over the logs they
fooked very pretty when the sun shone upon their gilded
forms. Another smaller species, near Heirotrana repanda,
but witJi different elytral sculpture, was taken, usuallr
amongst debris around small bushes. Other common tene-
brionids were Adeliiim nitidiim. ( ‘ardiot borax erraus,
and Aeiithosns westwoodii. A new si)ecies of Corii)era, a
single sp(HMmen, was a good find. Worlliy of note was a.
large wec'vil, named Phalidura e.ostipennis, a member of
a remarkable sub-family of Ciireulionidae, the Amyeteri-
(iae, which are p(‘culiarly Australian, but of wide distri-
bution therein, extending even to Tasmania
and New Zealand. P. costipennis is singular
in having a strange gular-horn, hence the
few species which possess this characteristic have
been called by i)r. Ferguson, “The armed-throat group.’'
it has also large anal forceps. The female is destitute of
these appendages, but is equally as large. Mr. Carroll,
my companion at the time, fonnd the latter, and I the
former (the male) on the return. In butterflies, I need
only note Theclinesthes miskini, the ])resence of Mdiich
usually indicates that Macrozamia grows not far away.

Birds. — Black-cheeked Falcon (Falco melano-
genys). After lunch on top of the mount,
the others going on further. T started back for
camp alone, and on reaching the foot of the hill
a few hundred feet on, saw a species of hawk, which T
Jiad not met with for many years, so sat down on a log
watching, and presently, to my great surprise, it came
and settled within twenty-feet of me. It was a fine bird,
in full plumage, and evidently a male.

Beyond continuing the collecting of further, beetles
and noting some birds of common species, the walk back
TO camp was uneventful.

3 ^

The Queensland Naturalist. Sept, I9i3

NOTES ON THE NYMPHALID BUTTERFLY.
Hypolimnas Bolina Nerina, Fabr.

Hy K. Illidgc.

On tilt* ITtii Mai'ch, 1918, I captured a
sj)ecimcii of this butterfly hi my garden at
Bulimba, tvhicii differs so greatly in col-
ouration from any 1 had previously seen that at first
glance whilst on the wing I look it to be a male
with the round white diseal spots entirely obscured. I
also took another varietal form in March^ 1916, and yet
another in April of the succeeding year, both at Bnlimba
For deseriptive purposes T liiought varietal names might
provt' useful, which togelher with figures on the plate,
would enable any (Ulier c(dlcctor obtaining similar s[)OC!-
mens to identify tlicm.

The first 1 have ('hIUhI var. imt)erialis from its gen-
t'l’al dark imperial j)urj)le colour, the other two formosa,
as exi)ressive of their richly beautiful ai)t)earanee.

Jm])crialis corrcsi)onds except as regards colour
with indicator < . in \Val<‘rh()nse & Lyell's Buttertiics
oi‘ Australia; the orange dorsal patch in forewing is al»-
hcnt, likiMvise 1 lu' (*en1ral pateh of l)!ue in hind wing,
^vhi(dl is i'ej)lact'd hy a N'twy faint tinge of silky gretui. Its
predominating tujlour is dai’k silky purple ^\■^th a eop])ery
tinge near l)ase and along dorsum to luuir Pumus. Tlu*
under surface agr(‘es fairly well with the general deserip-
tion given in that work, hut the diseal bands of fortMving
fu-e almost abscTit, and on ]lind-^ving quite obsolete.

In var. formosa the iniddle s]K‘ciinen (Ui the plate is
of a general |)nrj>lisli black, with faint iridescent discal
blue. ])ateh and small orange dorsal s[K)t. The lower
specimen has discal patch more extensive, and tawn;^
orange dorsal pateh much larger. The hind Avings of the
mid<lle figuia' in plate liave the central patch of iridcs-
( ent blue rather small, wliereas in the lower figui'c it is
very much more extensive, much paler, and along the
nerviires paler still.

^T'’or convenience in describing these forms in luy
notes, I have given them vaideta! names, as indicated, but

’"The Butterflies of Aust. Waterhouse and Lyell. “We
have intergrades between these variations, so do not
regard them as sufficiently constant to warrant their be-
ing named as forms of nerina.^’

Sept., 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

I hey must be considered provisional only, i'or the insect
is subject to extreme variation in colour.

t The range of the sub-species is from Moruya, south
of Sydney, to Dainvin, in N. Territory. It is the largest
and finest of the race.

Dimensions — plate, (>6mm., natural^ llUmm. ; up. t’ig.
Dimensions — plate, «4mm.; natural, 108mm.; mid. fig.
Dimensions — plate. fJOmm.; natural. llOmui.; bottom lig.
Measurements, from centre of thorax to apex of wing, x 2.

fTlie Butterflies of Aust. Waterhouse and Lyell.

38 I'he Queensland Naturalist. Sept., 1923

The late Dr. Lucas brought a fine collection from
Fiji, collected there by himself. They w^ere all of brown-
ish black, with white markings, more or less extensive.
I have seen and had specimens somewhat similar from
J^risbane.

Of other forms of H. Boiina 1 liave had specimens
from Lidia, New Guinea, etc., and they do not compare
with ours in brilliancy of colour.

t Again Mr. Waterhouse sent me specimens obtained
in Samoa. These were about the size of the figures shown
on plate, which are reduced to about half the natural.

The insect has also been rejiorted from New Zealand,
and was figured in Trans.. X.Z. Tnst.. under Diadema
nerina. hut has not been seen, so far as can be learnt,
since. 1

Around Brisbane three distinct species of Mypolim-
nas liave ben found, viz.; II. liolina nerina; H. alimena
lamina : II. misippus, Linn. Of these the first is usually
very common, and in favourable season.s odd specimens
are found throughout the year; the second and third
are of great rarity, and after very many years’ collect-
ing. can remember but few captured, viz.; lamina in
my own garden and odd misippus, usualy worn at
several localities near Brisbane, the male beincr somewhat
like nei'ina. perhaps overlooked, especially if worn.

The food plant is Sida. species of Malvaceae. Ft has
taken largely to the introduced sida retusa, and also
feeds on other malvaceons plants. The larvae usually shel-
ter during the day, though sometimes crawling over the
ground amongst the sida. Pupa suspended by tail com-
monly on the lower rails of old fences, etc., which are
protected by weeds.

%

tRhopalocera of South Qld. Notes on Seasonal Forms,
etc. Qld. Naturalist, Vol. II.; No. 3, p. 86, R. IlUdije.

Sept., 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

39

AN INTERESTING INSECT LARVA.

(By W. R. CoUed??e.)

Beetles, from their structure, are of terrestrial ori-
gin, but a few enterprising species have adapted them-
selves to a subaqueous life. How perfectly they have
succeeded whs evideueed in one of our club excursions
up a inoujilain stream. We found attached to a piece of
dead submerged wood a form wlucli puzzled us amateurs
as to jts identity. Il measured 7 mrn. by 4^. It had the
form of an oval shield. comi)Osed of twelve segments,
liinged together, apparently of a calcareous nature. ft
was bordered by -a closely set row of stiff bristles, and

Interesting Insect Larva.

Ventral aspect x 5. Dorsal aspect x 5.

(Photo by W. R. Colledge.)

bore a striking resemblance to the chiton, found on the
rocks of our coast. But on forcing it from its resting
place, it was found to be of an insectivorous nature. In
the little cradle, attached by a tough skin a little below
the free edges of the segments, there lay an iraraatuve
form. At one end. head and antennae were tucked in,
three pairs of legs protruded, and were neatly folded over
the abdomen so as t'o add but little to its height ; the unal
opening was surrounded by a bunch of long tracheal
tubes. From the muscular development, it was evident
that water was drawn in beneath the last segment, and
then exuded through paired orifices seen on the dorsal
part of the segments.

The bordering bristles were closely set together,
rested in sockets, and tapered gradually down to fine

40

The Queensland Naturalist.

Sept., 1925

points. Tims, wiiile it could idse and crawl safely beneaib.
its sliitdd. yet it could sit so close, and adhere so strongly,
that tlie turbulent currents that dash down the hill sides,
could not dislodge it from its base. It was ultimately
found to be the larva of one of the Parnidae, a coleop-
terous beetle. It may he seen sunning itself on rocks
jutting from tlie water, and is covered by a silky pubes-
cence. The photogra])h on the left shows the ventral
side, and that on the right the dorsal aspect of the larvae.
They ar(‘ magnified about five times.

0

A REPUTED BLUE-FLOWERING VARIETY OF
PORTULACA BICOLOR.

Portulaca bicolor is a small flt*shy tuberous-rooted
plant, usually not more than tAVo or three inches higli,
that oeeurs botJi inland and on the coast in Queensland
and the Kortluwri Territory. In the original descri])tion
(Ferd. voti Mueller, Fragm. Phytogr., Aust.,-1, 171), tlu'
|>etals are described as 4 and yellow — “pctalis quatuor
luties.'' in the “ ProciH'dings of the Linnean Soe. of
X.S.W.. VoL Ml. p. 72M," Messrs. Maiden and Betehe de-
scribe a variety, var. rosea, from JTovvell, N.S. Wales, in
vvliich thf' t'olonr of the flowers is described as rose-pink,
and tlie number of p(*tals five or six, mostly six.

Mr. F. li. Ih'rney. of Harcarolli‘, near Jundali, West-
ern Queensland, has I'eeently sent me .si)ecimens of a
J*ortulaca. wliieh 1 am unable to separate from P. bi-
colour. Tlie following, howt^vm', are Mr. BerneyX notes:
“A small plant growing in a shady s]>ot in a gidya scrub,
(‘ollected in Mareli, 11)21. 1 have never i)reviously come

across it. It has a tuberous root, and bears a small five-
]‘oiutcd, star-shaped floAver. jiale blue in colour.”

It will be noted t liat Mr. Berney describes the colour
of the flowers as pale blue; when they reached me, how-
ev(*r. tliey had turned a deej) pink, and 1 tliought it pos-
sible fliat Messrs. Maiden and Betehe had described their
])1an1 from Siimilar specimens, wliieh may have turned
fnnn blue to pink in transit. lloAvcver, Mr. Maiden in-
forms me in a letter tliat plants of P. biclor, var. rosea,
grown in Sydney Botanic Gar<lens, bore flowers of a
icse-pink colour.

Tt is probable that P. bicolor, like its garden con-
gener (P. grandiflora) has stneral forms or varieties,
oifferijig ciiieflv in tlie colours of their flowers.

C. T. WHITE.

QneeiislaiHl Wild Dowers.

Diuris sulpliurea. A(;acia fimbriuta.

wattle very comiiioii al)Oiit lirisbatuv and kiunvii eoUo-
quiady as the ''Brisbane Golden Wattle.’' It <^cenrs ui
Bout-hern Queeiislatnl and lutrts of Xew South Wales,
Diuris sulphurea is j)erhai)s llie eoniinonest of the si>eeies
<f tilt' ^eiiiis in (Queensland; is oeeurs in (qx'ii eiu'al.vptu i
lorests and ^^rass lands, and is partieularly eomnioii in
laountain loealities, as Tamlxnirine Mountain, Buuya
Mountains, etc. Boronia pinnata is common in some of

^cpt., 1923 The Queensland Naturalist. 4 l

QUEENSLAND WILD FLOWERS.

The inniK'diate past President of the Queensland
Naturalists’ (dub (Mr. R. L. Higgins) chose for the sid?-
ject of his ])resi(Ientia] address ^‘Thc Photographer
Naturalist” (vide this journal, \b)l. 4 p.3). Mr. JTiggins
is a keen photographer of Natural Jlistoi’y subjects; he
has paid special attention to the ])hotography of Queens-
land wild flo’wers, and the aectuupanying |)late repre-
sents four studies by liim. Acacia fimbviata is a

The Queensland Naturalist.

Sept., 1923

the coastal areas of Southern Queensland, particularly
Stradbrook Island. Gompholobium pinnatum is a spe-
cies a few inches hi^^h that occurs in the forest country
of South-Eastern Queensland, sucli as Glasshouse Moun-
tains. Ei^’ht Mile Plains, etc.

Boronia pinnata. Gompholobium pinnatum.

(Photos by R. L. Higgins.)

1

'J

Sept., 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

43

LIST OF BIRDS SEEN AT STRADBROKE ISLAND,
JUNE 3rd to 10th.,

By Mrs. Mayo, O. H. Barker, and W. B. Alexander.

Crow

Black-throated Butcherbird
(M)

Collared Butcherbird (M)
Figbird (M)

Red-browed Finch (M)
Leaiherhead
Little Friar-bird (M)
Blue-faced Honey-eater (A)
Brush Wattle-bird
White-cheeked Honey-eater
Fasciated Honey-eater (M)
Singing Honey-eater (M)
Brown Honey-eater
Sanguineous Honey-eater
Spinebill

( ? ) Black-chinned Honey-
eater (M)

Spotted Pardalote

Mistletoe-bird

Silver-eye

White-throated Tree-creeper
Magpie-lark
Singing Fly-eater
Pied Caterpillar-eater
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Grey Shrike-thrush
Rufous Shrike-thrush
Rufous-breasted Whistler
Golden-breasted Whistler
Yellow Robin
Restless Flycatcher (A)
Spectacled Flycatcher
Black-and-White Fantail
Rufous Fantail
White-shafted Fantail
Rose-breasted Robin
Tree Martin
Welcome Swallow
Pheasant Coucal (M)
Fan-tailed Cuckoo (M)
Sacred Kingfisher
Kookaburra
Swift Parrakeet (M)

King Parrot (M)
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet
Blue Mountain Lorikeet
Whistling Eagle
White-headed Sea-Eagle
(M)

Wliite-breasted Sea-Eagle

Pelican

Darter

Little Pied Cormorant
Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Lesser Frigate-bird
Grey Teal
Black Duck
Black Swan
Mangrove Bittern
Reef Heron (M)

White-faced Heron
White Egret
White Ibis

Sharp-tailed Stint (M)
Bar-tailed Godwit
Whimbrel (M)

Sea Curlew
Red-capped Dotterel
Double-handed Dotterel
Spur-winged Plover
Pied Oyster-catcher
Silver Gull
Gnll-billed Tern
Caspian Tern
Crested Tern
White-fronted Tern (Mi
Little Tern (M)

Diamond Dove (M)

Peaceful Dove (M)
Bar-shouldered Dove
Purple-crowned Fruit Pig-
eon

Black-backed Magpie heard
singing on Pimpama
Island

44

The Queensland Naturalist.

Sept., 1923

NATUEE NOTES.

(By Mrs. F. H. Hobler.)

One hot afternoon last March I braved the heat, and
set out to explore a ridge close by, and covered mostly
with luilf-grown ironbark timber. There had been no wet
season, so everything looked dry and drought-stricken.
No insects to be found, evidently. Still, see, here’s the
large auger-shaped hoh* in the trunk of an ironbark,
showing where one of thOvSe large heavy moths had
emerged, and quite lately, too. From the first breaking
(.f the egg. the tiny grub has bored its way into the dark
mysteries of the inner wood. There it has fed and en-
larged its hole as its growing needs required, livhig on
the Juice obtained as it bored, till at last the big, ugly
grub is matured. Now a change takes place. Slowly it
wrai>s itself in a brown casing- — it does not die, yet it
ceases to be a grub. Does the transfornialion cause pain
(^r sickness.’ Tlie grub is gone effectually, yet from that
r'uitd sleep in the brown sarcophagtxs, as it were, emerges
the living winged insect. Not a beauty by any means,
but to tile ('ol lector a family of intense interest.

Again the search among the trees is continued. Here
in a crevice is something shiny — a liat-pin at all times is
useful. A few prods and several bright beetles scuttle
out; secured, they are dropjxed into the glass tube which
contains a bit of cotton wool and chloroform. Examined,
one belongs to the rather i>erfumed genus of Chalcop-
terus, the other is a l^aro))sis (P. purpureo-viridis), with
bright shining tints, and one of the few of that genus
that keeps its brightness. Nor is it very common, so it is
a Avele<une spt'einien. In otlu'r cnM'iees it is found again,
generally in company with the ordinary l)laek Paro])sis,
( f alioiil the same si/.e. Hero they hide from 1h(‘ light
and from (Uiemies. rnder covt>r of the friendly darkness
They sally forth to feiul on the tmnh'r leavos of their
(‘boson fof)(] plant.

Ants and B(*et h's.- )n a bare patch of ground we
so-on find a larg(‘ nest of ants. These ants need no de-
s'-ribitig. Till* harassiui iioiisewife knoAvs lln'in too well.
'Phe stiadvowner eurst's tlie brutes for the endless misery
they cause any unfortunate animal bogged or maimed —
even to man— Avbo lias lain Avith broken limb waiting,
waiting: and the luiurs iuiA'e been so long tiil succour
tame. But Avliy mention ants, when beetles are the study’

1

^fT:

Sept., 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

45

Yes, but wail and observe. There, at oue side in the ed"e
of the grass, is some foreign matter. Tread quietly; it
takes but little to bring an army of ants about one,
which Avould cause retirement, with, methinks. but little
dignity but much haste. We kneel and watvh. This is
the rubbisJi heap of the ants; a loose mound consisting of
handfuls of dead ones, eountless legs and wings of grass^
hoppers, beetles, etc., all carried carefully away from the
j>roximity of Ihe boles. Foraging among this debris are
8(une black beetles, which are evidently obtaining a good
meal, but of what, it would be hard to say. We secure as
ruany as. possible; tAvo kinds being Pterobelaeus, of the
Tenebrionidae family, one of which may prove to be
new. Tlie third was a small Trox (T. perhis]>idns), family
(Scarabiadae. Several tiny beetles hurried tliemselves out
of sight, and 1 was unable to get them. Other ants’
nests were inspected with similar results. Possibly were
a watch kept on these rubbish heaps through the differ-
ent summer months some interesting insects could be
secured. I was told of another beetle which Avas fre-
quently seen, but evidently 1. was too late in the season
for it.

SYLLABUS OF MEETINGS.

October 13. — Sandgate Lagoons. Train leaves Cen-
tral Station, L2o p.m. Get out at Sandgate Central
Station.

October LI.— Evening Meetijig. Paper on Bird-life,
by Mr. W. B. Alexander, M.A. Pape r 071 the Birds of the
Chelmer SAvamp. by Mrs. (t A. Messmer, and on th-»
Aquatic Life of Chelmer Swam)), by Mr. W. It. Colledgo.

Xovemher 10.— Excursion to Middle Ridge, Taylor's;
iLiuge (One Tree Ilill). Leader. Mr. R. Tllidge. Meet nt
t'emet('ry Cates at 2 p.m.

Xovember Lb — Lecture by Professor II. C. Richards,
T),Sc. (Queensland Lniversity). on Xoav Z(‘aland, illus-
1 rated with iantetm slides. Xote. — This meeting Avill

be licld in the fb^ology Tjectnre Theatre, Lnivej'sity.

The Queensland Naturalist.

Sept 1923

4t

EXCHANGES.

The i'oiiowiiig is a list of journals, etc., received
Since the last issue of the “Queensland Naturalist.”
These, and all other magazines, etc., in the Club’s library,
are available to members, both town and country, on
application to the Acting lion. Librarian. All publica-
tions must be returned within thirty days, but the bor-
rower may have this time extended on application, pro-
vided no otiier member has applied for that particular
book in the meantimu*. Members wishing any item posted
lo them should enclose a twopenny stamp to defray the
cost of postage. As far as possible all current ex-
change will be available on the table at each monthly
meeting, when members inay select any one required.

GEORGE H. JiAUKER,

Acting Hon. Librarian.

235, Albert Street.

American JMidiand Naturalist, Voi. VilL, Nos. 6,7: 8/9.
Dec., 1922 — May, 1923. University of Notre Dame,
Indiana, U.8.A. (No. 7 cojitains an interesting article
on an Amateur Wild Flower Bed — 6 fern by 12.)

Australian Science Abstracts. Vol. 1, Nos. 1-2, and 3-4;
Nov., 1922. Austu. Nat. Research Council, Sydney.

Australian Naturalist. — Journal and Magazine of the
Naturalists’ Society of N.S.W. 5th January,
1923. (Notes on the Carpet Snake, by George E.
Stenson, gives many instances of how useful this
harmless snake is among rabbits and flying foxes.

Aqualic Life ['Baltimore. U.S.A.). Vol. VTI., No. 1.
May, 1923.

Canada— The Agricultural Gazette of Canada. Vol. X..
No. 3. May-June, 1923.

Caermarthshire Antiqnai'ian Society and Field Club;
Transactions of. Part XLT.

V ’ey 1 oil. — SpoHa Zeylanica. issued from the Colombo
Museum. Vol. XFT. Part 46. Covers Proceedings of
Ceylon Natural History Society. May, 1923. Among
several articles is a List of Mammals of Ceylon, by
W. W. A. Pliillips (Director of the Museum) ; Snakes
of the Annasiquella Estate, by Col. P. Wall.

Sept., IQ23.

47

The Queensland Naturalist.

Coneliology, Journal of — Vol. 17, No. 1., Jan., 1923. An
article on the Edible Molluscs of the British Isles,
by E. W. Swanton, gives details of the hundreds of
tons of this food that reaches the markets of the
British Isles annually.

Pranee. — Bulletin dii Museum National d'Histoire Na-
tiirelle. Reunion mensuelle des Naturalistes du
Museum. No. 6, 1922. Paris.

New York State Museum Bulletin; Nos. 243-4; Mar-ApL,
1921. Albany, N.Y. Repoi't of the State Botanist for
1921.

Ohio Journal of Science (The)- — Vol. XXIII; No. 2.
Mar.-ApL. 1923. Columbus, Ohio.

Philadeli)hia. — Proceedings of the Academy of Natural
Sciences. Vol. LXXTX., 1922.

Contains a valuable paper, by Morgan Ilebard.
“StTidies in Malayan, Melanesian and Australian Tet-
tigonisdae (Orthoptcra), which is iliiistrated by
eleven excellent plates.

Queensland Ceologieal Survey, No. 273. — Mesozoic In-
sects of Qiuuisland, by R. J. Tiliyard, M.A., D.Sc.,
and B. Dunstan (Government Geologist).— Part T.,
Introduction and Colooptera, by B. Dunstan, with 2
Plans and 7 Plates. 1923.

Queensland Royal Society Proceedings for 1922. Vol.
XXXIV., issued January, 1923, Brisbane.

Scientific Australia)! — Vol. XXIX., No. 2. May, 1923.

Selbonie Magaziiu' and Nature Notes, No. 350. June.
1922 to January, 1923. London.

South ATistralian (irnithologist, Vol. VIl. Part 2. April.
1923. Adelaide.

\^ictorian Naturalisl— Journal and Magazine of the Field
Naturalists’ Club of Victoria. Vol. XL., No. 3. duly,
1923. Melbourne,

TJnited Empire- — The Royal Colonial Institute -lournal.
Vol. XIV. (new series). No. 5. Alay, 1923. Ijondon.

California — ^T^biivorsity of California Publications in
Botany. Vol. 10. Nos. 0-7. Parasitic Floudeae, TL.
by W. A. Setclicll, and a revision of the West North
American species of Callophyllis, by the same
author, Berkeley, Cal., 1923.

California — Vol. 10. Nos. 4-5. Notes on a (’ollection of
New Zealand ile])atiea(‘. by W. TL Pearson, and Move
New Zealand TTepaticae, by the same. Berkeley,
Cal.. 1923.

■i

.z

Some Australian Books
Of Interest To
Naturalists

WATERHOUSE & LYELL, Butterflies of Australia: A
Monograph of the Australian Rhopalocera ; with col-
oured and other plates, and figures in the text; 4to
cloth. 42/-,

APLALO : A Sketch of the Natural History of Australia,
with some notes on sport ; cr. 8vo, cloth, illustrated.
3/6.

McCULLOCH, A. R,, The Fishes of N.S.W,, with 43 full
page plates; published by Roy. Zoo. Soc. of N.S.W.
( covers Southern Queensland) . 6/-.

WAITE, EDGAR R., The Pishes of South Australia, cop-
iously illustrated (sewed). 7/-.

WOOD-JONES, FREDERIC, D.Sc., The Mammals of
South Australia — Monstremes and Carnivorous Mar-
supials; with illustrations (sewed). 6/-.

LEACH, J, A., D.Sc., An Australian Bird Book ; new re-
vised edition; now complete for Australia, with col-
oured and other plates. 7/6.

DENDY & LUCAS, An Introduction to the Study of
Botany, with special chapter on some Australian
Natural Orders. 5/6,

WHITE, C. T., An Elementary Text Book of Australian
Forest Botany, Vol. I. Morphology, Anatomy, and
Physiology ; illustrated. 7/6.

From BARKER’ S Bookstore, Brisbane

PRICE 1/.

VoL. IV., No. 3. Dec., 1923

. . Cbc . .

Queenslana naturalist

^Journal of tbe

Queensland naturalists’ (Klub

AND

nature>Covers’ Ceague.

“ The Poetry of Earth is never dead !' — KeaTS.

The Author of each Article is responsible for the Statements
expressed therein.

CONTEXTS : paqe

Proceedings 49

Some Birds of the Albert River 52

Notes on a New Species of Moth 55

Notes on Rotifers and Some of the Life in

Chelmer Swamp ... 57

Request for Exchanges ... 58

Additions to Library 59

Annual Meeting 62

Tb« Oftrter-WfttAOD CW.. 65 Elinbeth at.. BrIal)M».

The Queensland Naturalists’ Club

- AND -

Nature-Lovers’ League.

Official Journal — The Queensland Naturalist.

0

OFFICK BKAUKRS, 19^3.

0

Patron:

Sir Matthew Nathan, G.C.M.G., Governor of Queensland.

President:

Mr. C. T. White, F.L.S.

(Government Botanist).

Vice-Presidents :

Mrs. C. A. Messmer and Prof. E. J. Goddard, D.Sc.

Hon, Secretaries :

Mrs. W. M. Mayo,

Roseberry St., Highgate Hill, South Brisbane.

Mr. C. G. Stevenson (Nature-Lovers' League),

Fitzroy Buildings, Elizabeth St., Brisbane.

Hon, Treasurer :

Mr, G. H Barker,

Albert Street, Brisbane.

; Hon. Lanternist: Hon. Librarian:

Mr. W. M. Tanner. Mr. G. H. Barker (acting)

Committee:

Mr. R. Illidge. Mr. R. L. Higgins.

Mr. W. R. Colledge. Mrs. Mayo.

Hon. Editor,, Naturalist :

Mr. C. T. White.

Subscriptions :

Ordinary Members 10s. per annum.

Country Members 5s. per annum.

Nature-Lovers’ Certificate, 4d.

MEETINGS:

Monthly Meetings are held at No. 16, First Floor,

Courier Buildings, Brisbane, on the third Monday of every month.

*/i »'•< I.. ifi .. .> t » .V ( . O I '

Cl)c Qucenslana naturalist.

JOURNAL OF THE QUEP:NSLAND NATURALISTS' CLUB
AND NATURE-LOVERS’ LEAGUE.

VoL. IV. December, 1923 Xo. 3.

PROCEEDINGS.

September — December, 1923.

Excursion^ Sept. 8th-ioth. — A week-end trip was
made to the Glass Honse Mountains district, about
twenty members participating, l^articular attention was-
given to the flora of the mountains and a number of in-
teresting plants in flower were seen. Some beautiful
clumps of the fern Poly])odium rigidiilum var. Vidgeni
were noticed. This is a beautiful form of the common
Rock Fern with lobed pinnae.

Wild Floiver Shoii) and Natural History Exhibition,.

Saturdav AfUrnoon and bvening, i^th September . — -
A special feature of this year's exhibit was the com-
petitive display of wild flowers sent in by State scliools
from dilTerent |)arts of South-eastern Queensland. Owing
to the keen compel itiun displayed Judging was found
difncult, and it was decided to divide school districts into-
two, those north and south of Brisbane respectively. In
giving awards the facilities afforded by the district as a
field for gathering wild flowers were taken into consid-
eration. Prizes were awarded as follows. Southern :

Division: Canungra D Wolfdene 2, Somme and Stan- '

thorpe, tie, 3. Northern Division: Mullet Creek 1, Cal-
oundra 2, Palmwoods and Pomona, tie. 3. ;

Interstate exhil)its were received from New South j

Wales (a collection from the Botanic Gardens, Sydney, *

and one through Mrs, C. A. Messmer) ; Victoria (a collec-
tion from the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne) ; South Aus-
tralia (collections from the Field Naturalists' Club and 1

Botanic Gardens, Adelaide, respectively), !

The principal contri])utors of Queensland wild flowers {

were Mr. and Mrs. Curtis (a very extensive collection \

50

The Queensland Naturalist.

Dec., 1923

rei)r(‘seJi1 iiiu' Thi‘ Avild dower flora of the Albert River
district' : Miss il. Ueissinan and Mr. (-olin (leissman (a
eoilretioii from Tambourine Mountains). Miss (^ampbell
(a collection from the Tweed River). M. Hamilton,
8tradl)rok(‘ Island. Mesdames (hirtis, Higgins, Mayo,
M(‘ssmer. and hite, and iMisses Raird. Kelly, and Wilkie
were in ehary’c of the tables, and sjxadal tlianks are due
"o ihem for the amount of Avork done in arranjian^^ and
oollin.u* floAvers.

The i)hotoo‘ra])hic section in cdiarji'e of Mr. R. L.
lli^'f^’ins attracted a ^ood deal of attention. Contributors
TO it were .Messrs, R. L. Hioo-ijj^ ]) \y Caukrodger
(a eolh'ction of photo^Tatdis of Western bird life),
Messrs. Jlarvey Bros, {oeneral natural history photo-
^rraphs from Xorth Queensland), Mr. Fryar (scenic
photo.uraphs). Mr. W. J. Sanderson (natural history and
'^eiuu’al photographs). Miss Camj^bell (paintinji’s of native
birds) and Mr. Robinson (general natural history photo-
;^raphs').

A very line ^niolo^dcal display illustrative of the
mineral wealth of Queensland was stag’ed by Mr. B.
Dnnstan. F.d.S. (Chief Government G(*ologist).

A special display of forest ])roducts Avas staged by
tin QiHumsland Forest S(*rviee.

Entfunok^gical exhibits Averc' stag(Hi by Messrs, tllidge
and Franzen.

Living s])(‘eimens of j)ond life were shown under
mieroseopes by Messrs. (V)lledg(‘ and Tanner, the former
exhibiting a very tine series of pliotographic enlargements
of rotifers and other nneros('Opieal inhabitants of Queens-
land waters.

Exairsioii, ijlh October , — The club excursion on
Saturday afternoun, Oetober l-ltli, waN held at Sandgate,
the lagoons being the object iv<‘ for tin* afternoon. About
sixteen uuunbers r<K)k part in the (‘xeiirsion, and the
folloAving lords Avere obsmwiHl Cormorants, darters,
swamp hens, moor hens, and coots, jat-anas, black-throated
and ruffled grebe, one glossy ibis, sharp-tailed stints,
black fronted dottrels, egret, black sAvans, marsh terns,
Avhite-eyed duck, teal, maned goose, white-headed stitts.
and the little craik. Reed Avarblers and grass birds were
flying in the clumps of rushes dotted about the lagoon:
All the birds were easily seen and kindly identified for
the club members by Mr. W. B. Alexander.

Dec., IQ23.

The Queensland Naturalist.

51

Evening MteLuig^ i October. — Mr. W'. K. Colledge
read a paper on The aquatic lit!e of The (.'liebiier Swani]).
Mr. ('olledge illustrated the ddfereiit forms of life by a
very fine series of lantern slides, and spoke interestingly
cf the life histories of the pond inhabitants. Mr. \V. B.
Alexander exhibited a letter Avritten by Latham, the
grandfather of Australian ornithology, over 100 years
ago, and also showed a volume of Latham's work on
()irds, A eonsid(‘rab!e juimber of slides, reproducing
Jjatham's |)ictures of birds were sciaamed. This early
ornithological work was compiled from drawings and
descriptions s('nt to England from Ihftany Ihiy. one of
the artists being a convict. Sonn* forty birds described
by Jjatham cannot lx* identiti(‘d with existing specie's. Mr.
Alexainh'i' also screeiu'd photographs showing a bow( »■
bird's playgiamnd. and exhibited a numl)('r oi' playtliings
gatliered by tin* bird. Other ('xhibits were a tine series of
natm'al history i)hotographs by Messrs. W. (J. and ii.
Harvey, of Mackay, and the skull of a nativ(^ cat by Miss
Wood, of R(tckham])ton.

Evening Meeting, igth November . — Professor H. C.
Richards delivered an address, illustrated by lantern
slides on ‘^Tlie Xatural Eeatures, Especially Olac.iation
and A'olcanic Activity, in New Zealand." The relation
of the Ibuninion n* Atistralia, Antare.tiea, ami the {)riginal
Western niargin (ff tin* Pacific Ocean was indicated by
mca}is v>f diagrams, whib* tin* intersection of two lines of
weakness in the earth crust was shown to occur about
(he centre of the north island. Tlic connection with Ibis
intersection and tlu' seismic* and >‘<d{*aTtic. activity in tliis
i'cgion Was e<uisidercd.

Dealing with the SonXh IsUnuL the present day
glaciers with their characteristics and the (‘tfccis of j)ast
glaciers were' (h'seribed aitd illustrat(*d by an exc<‘ll(*nt set
of lant(‘rn slides. Th(‘ general nature of llu' Southern
Alps both as to the j)hysical and geologieal eharaet<‘rs
were indieatd.

The greater extent of glaciation in Pleistocene times
was commented u])on and the relationsliij) bctwceii this
.and the great development of deep lakes caused by tlie
terminal moraines damming up the old glacial valleys was
clearly shown.

Lakes AVakatipu and Manapouri, along with the
'Others, such as Te Anau, Wanaka, Ilawea, etc., have all

52

Dec., 1923;

The Queensland Naturalist.

been formed in this but the two former are remark-

able in havin*^ a floor at present beneath sea level.

The wonderful Milford Sound region was described,,
and the casual connection between past glaciation and the
great and majestic ])eauty of this region Avas shown.
Steep-sided Aadleys, fiords, hanging valleys, and grooved
mountain sides al! tell their history.

In the North Island, the evidence of present day vol-
canic activity was eonsiilered, and the work of the present
nay volcanoes Egmont, Xgauralioe^ Kuapehu, aiid Tara-
wera was illustrated and discussed, while the geysers^,
hot springs, and mud mounds of the Wairakei Talley,
and Kotorua region were considered, and explanations-
ottered as to the cause of their phenomena.

Tlie comparatively treeless condition of most of New
Zealand was discussed and illustrated by the lantern slides
especially for the central Otago district, while on the
other hand the great beauty of the rain forests of Xotho-
fagiis Menziesi, etc., in the Milford Sound region Avas-
admiringly commented upon.

0 —

SOME BIRDS OF THE ALBERT RIVER,

l^y Mrs. W. M. Mayo (Honorary Secretary. Queensland
Naturalists' C]ub\

The Albert, a short coastal rlA'cr. em])ties into the
southern cjid of Moreton Bay tOAvards Jumpin' Bin. The
riA^er is tidal for about tAA^eB'C miles up, and runs through
a rich agricultural district, dairying, and banana groAving
being the chief industries. Cedar and Canungra Creeks
junction with the Albert something over twcuity miles
from its mouth. The usual AAmders, curlcAVS. stints, Avhim-
brel, golden plover, spurwinged plover, pied oyster
catchers, and bar-tailed godwits Avere plentiful on the
sandbanks at the river mouth. A pair of Avhite-headed
sea eagles AA^ere also seen there, and in the next reach
white-breasted and Avhistling eagles were overhead.
Beautiful birds, all three. Swamp pheasants fioAv awk-
wardly up into the mangroA'c trees and called to their
fellows as Ave passed, and a Avhite goshawk (Astur novae-

Dec., 1923

'I'he Quet^nsland Naturalist.

53

hollandae) made its toilet on a bare l)ranch overhan^nng:
the water — my tirst aequaintanee with that bird. It was
kind enono-h to remain in view for half an hour.

Koel and pallid cuckoos were calling all day long,
their insistent call grew very wearisome. Mangrove bit-
terns (Buborides stagnatilis) ticAv across the narrow river,
while black-throated grebes and snake birds dived as our
boat drew near. Idttle craiks were dodging in and out
among the mangrove bushes and roots.

A great many honey-eaters (fascjated) chattered on
.a little island at the junction of the Albert and Logan
rivers; they did not seem to be in any number in the
ui>]ier reaches. Scarlet and white-(*hinned honey-eaters
probed the blossoming mangroves; the Avhite-cheeked
honey-eater, so plentiful aiul noisy on Stratlbroke Islaiuk
was not to be seen on the Alliert. Starlings were as far
U]) as Yatala bridge — T did not see them beyond that.
Pipits Avere noticed on the flat grass land in the lower
reaches, and the sacred and red-backed kingfishers Avere
there, only one of the latter to be seen, though it (evi-
dently nested there, for it tieAV into a hole in the bank.

Reed Avarblers and mangrove canaries (G. cantator)
were very jilentifnl all the Avay along. They have \'cry
melodious songs; one neAmr tires of hearing them. Rufons
whistlers and harmonious thrushes were singing to their
nesting mates^ — -plenty of nests wore \dsible. Pied cater-
pillar eaters and bee eaters were seen ; further up Avliite-
shouldered caterpillar eaters nested in the tall gum tiau'S.
At llopedale (our destination) we found a great number
of birds nesting in the home paddock— friar birds, little
Icathcrheads (P. sordidus). jacky Avinter, Alacleay king-
hsher, restless and leaden tiyeatcher. blue-faced honey-
eater, mickles, black-throated butcher birds, kookaburras,
sacred kingfishers. All the lu'stiug birds kept a Avary eye
on the Ivookaburra and sacred lungfisher. They Avere not
alloAvi'd to [lay any friemlly visits. 1 did not see the
butcher bird ixung Avarned oft. In the lagoon by the
iiouso, whit(MU‘(*ked aiul Avhite-frouted luu’ous disi>ort ed
with black and Avhite ibis — The sacred ibis seldom go there.
A Aveck lat(‘r the lagoon Avas dry and the birds (loAvn,
though 1113’' hostess told me the three birds were sure to be
back at tlie first rains. The}^ Avere prett^^ Avell domiciled
there.

54

The Queensland Naturalist.

Deo., 1923-

Twitu* a (lay. ofteiicr if times were hard, jackasses
and buich('r birds took possession of the porch railings
and kitchen window-sill at fIoi>edah\ and waited for their'
meat allowance. All was fish that came to their net — no
rat. mouse, or lizard was wasted there. The only thing
dohn (the Jackass) barred was black snake. All other
kinds were edible. For twelve years John has nested at
Uoi'/edah* in the ojie tree. This year he did not fancy his
old (jnarters, hut found a tree and ant nest about fifty
yards away. Just before the brood hatched out in the
new home, the limb holding the old nest came down with
a crash. John is evidently a Avise bird.

The l>ean trees were in floAver on the river bank, and
the noise made by the docks of parrots and leatherheads,
wattle birds, and blue Jays as they fed all day amongst
them was deafening. Blue mountain parrots, greenies,
sAvifts. and musk lorrikeets made a great ontery. T nouT
know if the bean blossom honey is intoxicating, but i cer-
tainly la^seued orie ])arrot from the rivei* in a A'cry helpless
(‘ondition. My hostess told me that at times the family
hav(* to go round and gather the parrots up and put them
in safety until tlu'v recover. The birds affected are mostly
y(mug. She thinks it is a disease tliat attacks tlu' wings
and piM'vents the bii'ds dying. I Avonder?

i heard, bill did nol see. Ihe Jardine caterpillar eater
whilst at Hopedaie. and one day on the clear side of the
riA'cr a little dame hri'asted robin was hunting dies—
\ery late for a robin to be in the lowlands. Tlu'ia^ Avere a
fcAV whip birds in the scrub by the river, and for years.
1 AA’as told, a iiair of crested liawks had built in a gum
tnu' i)y tin' lagoon. At the time of my visit it Avas no
unnsna! thing to see a few pecAvees and lilaek and Avhite
dycatcdiers jieridied all about oih» of the cows. \'ery busily
ridding it of ticks. The cattle seemed to apiireeiaty the
iiitle attention.

— 0 -

Dec., 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

55

NOTES ON A NEW SPECIES OF MOTH.

Fam: Schoenobiadae.

(By 11.

In Au^‘nst, 1921, pai-l ot* a .small tree — Capparis nobiliw
— was trimmed doAVJi to a single stem, and in the pares
left on the ground, a feA\' days' after cutting oft’ small
holes were noted with a quantity of sawdust issuings
therefrom. These holes were thought at the time to be
caused by Coleo])ttu‘ous larvae, but as one of the larvae
ceased casting out sawdust and spun a wel> of bright
yellowish silk, greenish-tinged, it was evidently
lepidopterous in eharaetm*. Tlu' parts con-
taining thes(‘ A\'tM’e saA\'n ofi and carefull}'
stowed awa\' to await developnumt. Late in.
f)ctober a perfect niotli emerged, and one of strange a])-
pearanee. A solitary larva found in t)art of tlie tree left
standing was enclosed Avith mos(|uito-net. fixed bag-like
round the stem by a pituu' of wire, and thus an additional
specimen was secured. In all. ptu’hapjs a dozen good
moths were obtained, but only otu’ proved male, and
thiSj though similarly marked to tlie females, Avas miieh.
smaller, but may not lx* a proof tliat such is generally so.

I arvae and |uii)ae Aveiu* also l)oltled, but the spirit ( il it
were such) into which they Avere put failed to preserve
rhem, and left nothing but a mass of matter.

These moths AV(*re submitted to i)r. Turner. avIio
found them to !)e a lunv s])eci(*s of a curious genus called
8typhloie])[s. by Sir Geo. Hampson. Dr. Turner haS'
named and described tliis spiuucs 8. hy’pci'incgas, togo'ther
with another, , smaller. obtain<*d at Emerald by Mr. Bar-
nard, as 8. peribarys. Jh* also noted three others from
other parts of Australia, om* oj‘ A\ducli he had previously
named 8. agenor, the otlier two having been ih-eribed by
the founder of the genus.

As regards the full life histories of tlu'se internal
feeding insects, it is not j)ossible, in my experience, to
folloAv^ them. We knoAv the last larval, the pu]>a!. and
imaginal instars, but cannot see those of the preceding
instarSj nor do we knoAv Iioav many eedyses there are, or

li

56

'I'iie Queensland Naturalist.

Dec., 1923

I

1 -:

the duration of the stadia. We can only presume, rig'litly
or wrongly, that they are as in larvae which feed openly.

Hee figures of moth and its larval and pupal chambers
in wood ln‘rcwi1h.

Dec., 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

57

NOTES ON ROTIFERS AND SOME OF THE LIFE IN
THE CHELMER SWAMP.

(By W. R. Colledge).

Ill former years, when the regular seasonal rains
<'ccurred in February, the Chelnier ISwamp was occupied
by a large area of water, and the adjacent low-lying
fields were inundated, and it harboured many forms of
aquatic life. Owing to the diminished rainfall of the last
few years, these forms have been greatly reduced. The
objects of my quest have been chiefly the Rotiferte, other
forms being noticed as they were found within my net.
Of the dainty forms of the Floscularidte, Coronetta or-
nata and campanulata were found. The Melicertedm,
ccuifera, ringens and annulatus, the second at certain
times in great profusion.

The colonial R<>tifers were well represented, the
■vorld-wide form of t'onochilus Volvox being occasionally
seen, and in the autumn the rare Megalotrocha Spinoza,
discovered in China by Surgeon Gunson Thorpe. Fgg-
shaped colonies of Lacinularia ovalis, and racemovata,
Megalotrocha .semibulla, in very vigorous motion. Of
tile Asplanchnidoe, beautiful specimens of the Amphora
and Intermedia and Asplanchnopus Myrmcho, Sacculus
Viridis, Syncheta, Stylata, and Tremula. Polyarthra
Platyptera appears at all times of the year. In the spring
Triarthra longiseta, and rarely Pedelion minim. Of the
liytadinas, fine specimens of Notops brachiouus and Cla-
vnlata, as well as sturdy sjiecimens of Typhilus lacustris.
Of the Notommadm, Copeus copeus and cerberus, Diglena
forcipata, Furcularia longiseta, and eqiiales. In the Rat-
uilidic, bicornis, birostris, carinatus, and elongata; also
Coelopns porcellns. In the Dinocharidiv, Tetractns, Eu-
dactylotum. and longicaudatum, Salpina brevispina. In
the Euchlanidui, Triquetra, and oropha are fre<tiient. The
■■Cathypnadm are represented by Luna, Leontina, and IJn-
gulata. The Pterodina by patina and reflexa. Members
of the Braehionidai are numerous, angularis, Bakerii, Fal-
catus, militaris. Palm, and Urceolus all being found. Good
specimens of the bottom feeder Noteus quadricornis.
Picosoma lenticulare have also been seen at rare intemuils.

The Queensland Naturalist.

Dec., 1923.

58

111 the occur vast quantities of ciliated Pro-

io/.oa, Stentors, dark in colour, resembling animated hats,
and the [)ale, larger variety of Htentor polymorphus. An
interesting Hatworm is common, very similar in appear-
ance to “Mesostoma Ehrenberghii,” and other species
green, blue, and yellow in colour. Among the Cladocera
the ordinary ^\'ater flea is abundant, and occasionally a
stout variety of Daphnia Hyalina, Moina rectirostris,
8ida cryslalliiia, macothrix laticornis, Alona rectangulata,
ediydorus sjihericus. Diaptomas, and the ever-present
Cyclops (piadricornis. In the Ostraeoda, there are var-
ir-ns siiecies of Cypris. The IJydraclina, or water mites,
are numerous, both crimson and green, a few belonging
to the gamus Arrenurus. As is to be expected, the Hemip-
tera bgure largely. On the surface the little ditch skater,
"^^'clia currens and Gerris laeustris pursue their games,
arid occasionally on the edges near the grass, Hydrometra
stagnorum, with its long, hair-like legs, is found shelter-
ing itself, while in the middle de[)ths the water boatman
8lid(‘s along on his hack, taking deadly toll from unwary
passengers. From the bottom may he fished the preda-
ceous Kanatra linearis, as well as the Corixa and Nau-
cerides. Xiimerous specimens of Dijiterous larva can be
seen in fnvouraiile eohdilions from the noedle-like young
of the ( Vratopogoii. Gorethra plumicornis. In the
ij[)ii(miera, dragon Hies, both large and the smaller Demoi-
selles. The Trichoptera. or caddis Hies, are not so numer-
ous, as in the Howing waters of the creeks; hut many
varieties are found, carrying their curiously-built houses
on their backs.

REQUEST FOR EXCHANGES.

We have received a letter from the Director of the
Southwest Museum of Los Angeles. (California, stating
that the Museum desires to exchange specimens of diurnal
h pid(>])tera of the Western United States for examples
from Australia, (’ollectors desirous of opening exchange
relations should write to Dr. John Comstock. Director,
Southwest Museum, 4699 Marmion Way, Los Angeles,
Califoruia, United Slates America.

Dec., 1923

The Queenslatid Naturalist.

59

ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY.

The following is a list of journals, etc., received since
fhe issue of the last number of the ‘'Queensland Xatural-
ist.” These and all other magazines and books in the
(d.ub^s library are available to members, both town and
country, on a])plication to the Acting Hon. Librarian.
All publications must be returned within thirty days, Imt
the borrower may have this time extended on application,
provided no other member has a|)plied for that number in
the meantime. Members wishing any item posted to
them should enclose a twopenny stamp to defray cost of
postage. As far as possible all current exchanges will be
available on tin; table* at each monthly meeting, wlien
members may s(‘lect any particular one* reepiired.

GEORGE U. BARKER.

Acting Hon. Librarian.

225 Albert Street, Brisbane

A Census of the Plants of Victoria, with their Regional
Distribution and the vernacular names, as ado])ted
by the Plant Xames (.'ommittee of the Field Xatur-
alists’ Club of Victoria, Melbourne. L)2:>.

I'alifornia, Ihiiversity of, Ptd)lications on Botany. Vol.
X., XV. A revision of the Californian si)ecies of
Lotus, by Alice M. Ottley, with 21 ])lates and 10
mai)s. Berkeley, Col. 1923.

Hawaiian Entomological Society, Proceedings for the
year 1922. Vol. 5, Xo. 2., Sept.. 1923.

Queensland Geological Survey, Publication Xo. 272, Geo-
logy of the AValloon-Rosewood Coalfield, with 24
ligures and 2 geological maps, by J. TL Reid. Bris-
bane, 1922.

t onchology Journal for July. London. 1923.

Scientific Australian, AVI. 29, Xos. 3, 4, 5, (J. Jtiiie. July,
August, September. Alelborune. 1923.

Natural History Journal oP tlu' Ameiucan Vu^eum of
XVtural History, AVI. XXHL, Xos. 3 and 4. ATay
Jujie, J uly- August . (As usual these Journals are
beaut ifidly illustrated, and a siijunJ) plate of Gloria
Alaris — most precious and beautiful of shells — ap-
pears in No. 4.)

The Queensland Naturalist. Dec., 1923

Aquatic Lite. \o1. \ TT., Xos. 2, 3. 4-^ 5, June, July, August^
and Se])tcniber. Baltimore. Maryland, ll.S.A., 1923.

Australian Forestry Journal, A'ol. Yl.. Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, Ap-
ril. May. June, July. Sydney, 1928.

Fnited Empire. Vol. XIY., Nos. 7. 8, 9, 10, July, August,
Se])tember, October. London, 1923.

(Sir Harry Wilson, K.F.M.CL, K.B.E., contributes a
sonnet to the July issue entitled “Bower Birds,’' in
wbicli he alludes to the birds decorating their “arched
nests. “ thereby adding his name to the long list of
writers Avho have not learned that the bower is a
playing ground only, and distinct from the nest,
which is invariably in a liigh tree, some distance
away. — G.ILB.)

Ohio Journal of KScience, official organ of the Ohio Acad-
emy of Science and of the Ohio State riniversity
Scientific Society, Vol. XXIIL, Nos. 8 and 4, May-
June. July-x\ugust. Oolumbus. Ohio, 1928,

Australian iMuseiim Magazine, Vol. L. Nos. 9, 10, July,
August. Sydney, 1928.

Australian Naturalist, Vol. V., No. 7, July. Sydney, 1923.

Birmingham Natural History and Philosophical Society.
Ajjjiual Beport for 1922, and list of Members, 1923.

V. hicago Field Museum of Natural History (213), Vol. VL,
No. 2. Annual Report for 1922.

Chicago Field Museum of Natural History (212), Vol V.,
Botany. Flora of Santa Catalina Island ((’alifornia),
by C. F. Millspaugh and Tj. W. Nuttall, with 14
plates and 1 map, Chicago, 1923.

Nebraska Fniversity Studies, Vol. XX,, Nos. 3-4, Histori-
cal ; Vol. XXT., Nos. 1-4 (covers the Diatoms of Ne-
braska, by C. J. Elmore) ; Vol. XXTL, Nos. 1-2 (Medi-
cal). Ijincoln, Nebraska, 1920/22.

Nebraska Fnivtwsity Studies, Scien(*e Reports. Vol. I.,
No. I. A collection of non-technical papers on recent
progress in science. Lincoln, 1923.

Smithsonian Institute Reports^ — 268;'). The Department
of Geology of the TT.S. National Museum with 20
l^lates; 2686, Natural History of Costa Rica, by R.
Ridgway. with o plates; 2689, The ()i)Ossum (Didei-
])hys virginiana). by C. Hartman, 10 ])lates ; 2691, Bot-
any in S.E. Asia, by A. S. Hitchcock, with 11 plates;

Dec., 1923

The Queensland Naturalist.

61

2692, Ant Acacias and Ants of Mexico, etc., bv W. E..
Safford, Avith lo plates; 2698. The Fall Web Worm,
by K. E. Snod^rrass. Avitli 2 plates; 2694. C'ollectin}?
Insects on Mt. Rainier, by A. L. Melarder, with 9
plates; 2718, On the Crinoid Family (’aptillocrinidae,
by F. Spnrger, with o plates; 2721. Xew East indiaxi
Birds, by IT. C. Oberholser ; 2723, Xew (’otaeeans from
S. Oarolina. Washington, 1922/3.

Western Australia. Journal and Proceedings of The Royal
Society of, Vol. IX., Part T. 1922/23.

Canada, The Agricultural Oazette of, VoL X.. Xos. 4 and
5, July- August, September-Oct oiler. !)ei»aT'tment of
Agriculture. OttaAva. 1923.

Selborne Magazine and Xatiiia* Xotes, Xo. 351, February
to September, 1923. Edited bA' W. M, Webb. Lon-
don, 1923.

Ncaa’ York State Museum, Bulletin, Nos. 247/8; 35th Re-
])ort of the State Entomologist, 1921. Albany. Ncav
York, 1923.

South Australian Ornithologist. Vol. VTl., Parts 8 and 4.
July, October. Adelaide. 1923.

Victorian Naturalist. V(»l. XI... Nos. 4, 5, 6. 7, August.
September, October, No\'einber. Melbourne, 1923.

(The Seiitember issue has an interesting article on
the Bunyij), by E. J. Dimn, F.G.S., Avhieh fairly con-
clusively proves that the common seal Avas the animal
around Avhich so much myth, superstition, and terror
had existed for years.- -GJLB.)

Paris, Bulletin du Museum National DTlistoire Natur-
elle, Reunion Mensuelle des Naturalistes du Museum,
1922, No. 7; 1923, Xos. 1 and 2.

American Midland Naturalist, Julv-September, Vol, VTTT.,
Nos. 10-11. Indiana, 1923.

Queensland Geological Survey, No. 274, The Geology of
the Cairns Hinterland and other parts of North
Queensland, by IT. I. Jensen, D.Sc., Avith 2 maps and
13 text figures. Brisbane, 1923.

0-

■ 62

The Queensland Naturalist.

Dec., 1923

ANNUAL MEETING.

The Ainmal Meeting* of the Queensland Xaturalists’
Club will be held on Monday evening, the 18th February.
Members are remiiubul that they have the right of nom-
uiating offieei's and eouncillors for the ensuing twelve
months. Xomiuations signed by the proposer and
with the Avritten consent of tlie nominee to serose
if ('iected should be in the hands of the Honorary Secre-
tary (Mrs. AV. M. Mayo, Itoseberry Street, Ilighgatt* Hill,
South Brisbane) not later than Monday, the 11 th Febru-
ary.

The retiring president (Mr. C. T. White. F.L.S.) will
dclh'er an a<ldress on “The Myrtaeeous Trees of the Bris-
bane District.’^ The family Myzdaeeae contains the gums,
mahoganies, a])ple trees, tea trees, scrub cherries, etc.
The address will l)e illustrated b}^ lantern slides .

THE CARTER-WATSON CO. LTD.

PRINTERS, ELIZABETH STREET, BRISBANE.

Some Australian Books
Of Interest To
Naturalists

WATERHOUSE & LYELL, Butterflies of Australia :
A Monograph of the Australian Rhopalocera ; with
coloured and other plates, and figures in the text :
4 to cloth. 42/--

AFLALO : A Sketch of the Natural History of
Australia, with some notes on Sport ; cr. 8 vo, cloth,
illustrated. 3/6.

McCULLOCH, A. R., The Fishes of N.S.W., with 43
full page plates; published by Roy. Zoo. Soc. of
N.S.W. (covers Southern Queensland) 5/-,

WAITE, EDGAR R., The Fishes of South Australia,
copiously illustrated (sewed). 7/-.

WOOD-JONES, FREDERIC, D.Sc., The Mammals of
South Australia— Monstremes and Carnivorous Mar-
supials ; with illustrations (sewed). 5/-.

LEACH, J. A., D.Sc., An Australian Bird Book.; new
revised edition ; now complete for Australia, with
coloured and other plates. 7/6.

DENDY & LUCAS, An Introduction to the Study of
Botany, with special chapter on some Australian
Natural Orders. 5/6.

WHITE, C. T., An Elementary Text Book of Australian
Forest Botany, Vol. I Morphology, Anatomy, and
Physiology ; illustrated. 7/6.

From Barker s Bookstore, Brisbane

PRICE 1/-

VOL. IV., No. 4. MAY, 1924

. . Cfte . .

Queensland naturalist

journal of tbe

Queensland naturalists' t^lub

AND

nature-covers' Ceague.

The Poetry of Earth is never deadf — Keats.

The Author of each Article is responsible for the Statements
expressed therein.

CONTKNTJrS ; page

Proceedings ... ... 63

Annual Meeting 65

Eucalypts of Brisbane District 67

The Bronzewiiig Pigeon ... .. ... ... 72

Birds at Redeliffe 75

Welcome Swallows ... 76

Insect Notes ... ... ... 78

Obituary 8l

Syllabus ... • . ... 82

Exchanges ... 83

The Carter-Watson Co. Ltd,, Printers, Brisbane.

The Queensland Naturalists’ Club

‘ - AND -

Nature-Loves’ League.

Official Journal — The Queensland Naturalist,

0

0

Patron:

Sir|Matthew Nathan, G.C.M.G., Governor of Queensland.

President:

Prof. E. J. Goddard, D.Sc.

(The University, Brisbane).

Vice-Presidef^s :

Mr. W. B. Alexander, M.A., and Mr. J. C. Smith.

Hmi, Secretary :

Mrs. W. M. Mayo,

Roseberry St., Highgate Hill, South Brisbane.
Hon, Hxcu?mm Secretary :

Mr. J. C, Smith

(C/o Murray Fraser, CbarloUte Street, Brisbane).
Hon. Treasurer : Hon. Librarian :

Mr. G. H. Barker, Mr, G. H. Barker,

Albert Street, Brisbane.

Qommittee:

Mr. R. Illidge. Mr. R. L. Higgins.

Mr. F. B. Coleman. Mrs. Hobler.

Hon. Lanternist :

Mr. W. J. Sanderson.

Hon. Editor,^ Naturalist :

Mr. C. T. White.

Subscriptions :

Ordinary Members lOs. per annum.

Country Members 5s, per annum.

Nature-Lovers’ Certificate, 4d.

MEKTING«s

Monthly Meetings are held at the Brisbane Women’s Club Rooms,
Albert House, C/r Albert and Ann Streets, Brisbane,
on the third Monday of every month.

r’ .M

Cbc Queensland naturalist.

JOURNAL OF THE QUEENSLAND NATURALISTS' CLUB
AND nature-lovers’ LEAGUE.

VoL. IV.

May, 1924.

No. 4.

PROCEEDINGS.

February — April, 1924.

ANNUAL MEETING. IStk FEBRUARY, 1924.— Ilis
Excellency the Governor (Sir Matthew Nathan), Patron
of the Gluh. presided, and there was a good attendance
of members and visitors. The retiring president (Mr.
.j C. T. White. P.L.S.), delivered an address on the
^‘Myrtaceous Trees of the Brisbane District.'’ The

address was illnstrated by a large series of lanttom
slides mostly depicting the trees in the field. The
: officers for the ensuing twelve months were elected

as set out on the cover page of this issue. The
? honorary treasurer (Mr. G. H. Barker), jmesented the
financial statement for the year. The receipts totalled
£94/7/7-, and the expenditure £74/8/7/, showing a credit
balance of £21/19/-. The honorary librarian reported
that 107 publications had been added to the library
during the year, most being receiAmd as exchanges.

EVENLNG MEETING. 17th MARCH, 1924.— The
president (Prof. E. J. Goddard), oceii]hed the chair, and
there Avas a good attendance. The principal business
of the eAmning Avas a number of exhibits by Mr. R.
Tllidge, Mr. fllidge read notes on the laee-Avings, on a
rare neuro])terouK insect from Tambourine Mountain,
and on noteAvorthy coleoptera from the National Park.
Mr. Illidge also read a paper on the bronzeAAung pigeon.
Dr. Shaw and Messrs. Alexander and Barker discussed
the papers. Mr. Illidge commented on several small
collections of insects made by Misses Baird and Geiss-
mann and Messrs. J. C. Smith and R. L. Higgins
and himself respectively. These were: —

By Miss Baird. — A spiral ehiton-like ease of larva of
a very pretty moth known as Aristeis hepialella. (See

64

The Queensland Naturalist.

May, 1924

^‘Naturalist/’ Vol. III., No. 6, p. 114, Note No. 16, “Some
City Moths.”)

By R. Higgins. — Beetles, species of Mastoehilus and
Anlaeocyclus in family Passaliduo, of Bncare. floecosnm
and Asphalus striatus in Tenebrlonidae, and Oides f'Ador-
ium) fryii, a Galleriad of phytophagous habits.

In Hemiptera he also brought forward Tjygaeus
hospes, a chinch bug of destructive habits to various cul-
tivated plants, and in Orthoptera, a small cockroach,
probably young of some much larger insect in adult form.
To these must be added the large ground carab known as
Trichosternus renardi. All these from Wolvi in the Noosa
district. The native bee, Trigona carbonaria 8m., with
comb of waxy cells and young bees just emerging. A very
interesting exhibit. Bee identified from Queensland
Museum collection.

By J. C. Smith.— A small specimen of Belostoma in-
dica, the giant water bug or fish killer (see Froggatt in
Australian Insects). It is sometimes quite common about
the street electric lights, and should be handled carefully,
as its stout shari) beak stings badl}'.

By R. midge. — (1) Giant earwig from National Park,
Macplierson Range. Anisolabis colossea — largest speci-
men (of 2) 65 mm. dried, ^somewhat larger when alive,
as they have shrunk considerably. Cut out of rotten tree
trunks, where it probably lives on the numerous coleop-
terous larvae and pupae. Seems quite harmless despite
its formidable appearance.

(2) The large apterous cockroach, Panestbia tryoni,
found in rotten logs, but whether it feeds on the decayed
substance of the wood, or the living and dead larvae of
other insects is at present not at all clear, probably om-
nivorous.

(3) Charagia splendens (fetnale), and its burrow
in stem.

Mr. R. L. Higgins gave a few notes on the
birds of the Wolvi district. Dr. Shaw exhibited a rare
and very large burrowing cockroach (Geoscapheiis crenu-
latus, Shaw, ms.) from the Noosa district. Mrs. W. M.
Mayo exhibited a number of sponges from Moreton Bay.
Mrs. Smith exhibited a specimen of the giant maiden hair
of the Queensland scrubs (Adiantum formosum), which
bad been in a A^ase for over two years without dropping
a single pinnule. She also showed a specimen of the

May, 1924

The Queensland Naturalist.

65

bowstring hemf) or >Saiiseviei*ia. illustralive of tlit;
plant's vitality.

ExiSTER CAMP-OTjT, 18th-21st April.— An enjoy-
able and profitable camp-out was held at Cowan Cowan,
Mor(‘ton Isiaml. xV full account will appear in the next
number of tlu^ “Queensland Naturalist.'’

WILD FLOWER SHOW AND GENEliAL NAT
URAL IITSTORY EXIIIHITIOX.— In the account whicli
appeared in the last nnndjer of the “Queensland Natur-
alist," amon^ the list of exhibitors it was omitted to
mention the ‘ T^ueeiiLsland Aluseiim," lh(‘ officers of which
staged a number of very interesting specimens, illustra-
tive of Qtteensland Zoology.

QUEENSLAND NATURALISTS’ CLUB.

Annual Report.

Your Council has mucli pleasure in submilting its
annual summary of the activities of the Club during
the past twelve months: —

MEETINGS AND EXCURSIONS.— Ten evening
meetings were held during the year; lectures wore
given by Mr. II, A. Longman, on ‘‘ Pre-TIistoric Nature."
by Prof. E. J. Goddard, on ‘'The Geology and Pot any
of South Africa," and by Prof. 11. C. Richards on “Tht'
Natural Features Particularly Glaciation and Volcanic
Activities in New Zealand," Ollnu- meetings weia* de-
voted to papers by meml)ers. to lagiorls on (‘xeursions.
and exhibits. A number of extended exeursions were
held during the year, the phie.es visited being Tallehiul-
gera. Cedar (’reek, and D 'Aguilar Range. Beech i\Ioun-
tain, Slradhrok.e Island, and Glass Ifoust' Mountains.

Membership. — The Club a1 pia'senl lias a membersbii^
of 12Pk an increase of 22 on last year.

SECRETARYSHIP.— In June last jiressure of busi-
ness compelled Mr. J. C. Smitii, your capable Honorary
Secretary, to send in his resignation from this post. Ow-
ing to Mr. Smith's energetic and unselfish work in the in-
terest of the Clnh the task of finding a suitable successor
was extremely difficult, but fortuuaUdy "Mrs. W. M.
Mayo volunte(‘red to carry on tin* work, aud from the
amount of work she has put in since taking over office
the council feels sure of suc(M‘SS during the coming ses-

'66

Th - Quet-nsland Naturalist.

May, 1924

sion. Fortunati'ly w.e have ])reA'ailed 011 Mr. Sinirh to
carry on the Avork of Honorary Excursion Secretary. The
thanks of the ct>Hncil are due to Mr. C. G, SteA’enstui for
liis Avork as Hon. Secrtdary of the Nature Lovers’
League.

BIRD NEMBER, ‘HM EENSLzXND SCHOOL
PzVPPHl.” — Tn z\u^ust your (.k)uncil received a letter
from th(‘ Editor of the “Guetmsland St'hool Paper,” ask-
in*i’ for contrihiiiions l)y memlxu’s of photo^-raplis and
artich‘s snilable for inclusion in the annual bird nunv
ber of tin* S(*hool lbt})er. M(*mbers resjAonded well lo the
re([U(*st, Avith the result that a number of articles and
photographs on the flora and Pauna of Queensland \AMM*e
con 1 ril)Ut,ed.

“QLEEXSLAND NATLRALIST.”— Three numbers
of the “Naturalist” Avere issued during the year, it is to
be sincerely hoped that the coming year aauII see our
journal brought out regularly at the begijining of every
quarter. This can only be brought about by monbers
contributing articles more freely than at present, (ioun
try members more especially are requested to furnish
articles, photograi)hs and notes of general interest.

NATLRE LOVERS’ I.EzVGUE.— The Avork of the
Nature Loahm's’ Lt'ague has gone on steadily during the
year. The usual rush of apidications for membership by
school children occurred during October.

WILD FLOWER SHOM^. — A special feature of this
year’s exhibit Avas the innovatio)i of competitiAm displays
by State Schofds. Cojisidering this Avas the first year tin*
school com|)etitions has bei'ii featured, the results were
most gratifying, a large number of schools in the south-
eastern ])art of the Statt* responding by sending in cob
lections of Avild floAvers. OAving to the keen competition
displayed, judging Avas found A'cry difficult, and it Avas
decided to divide school districts iiito tAAm — those north
cind south of Brisbane resneclively. A general account of
the FloAver ShoAAU including the results of the Schools
Competition, has already iipi)cared in the ^ A-iueensland
Naturalist.'’

LAMTNGTON NATIONAL PARK.— In August a
letter AAms receiA’^ed from the Beaudesert and District Na
tional Park League, asking tliat tAvo members of the Club
be appointed to assist in a deputation to the Premier,
with a AueAV to urging the GoAU*rnment to open a road to

May, 1924

The Queensland Naturalist.

67

Eobert^s Plateau, National l^ark, Messrs. G. 11. Barker
and J. C. Smith were a])pointed, but 1he Minister stated
the Government could makt? no ])romise in re^rard to the
matter for the i)resent.

A(_?KXOAVLEDGMENT. — -Tn eonelnsion, tlie Ponncil
wishes to thank all those who helped at the Annual Wild
Elow(‘r ShoM' and General Natural History Exhibition, at
the ordinary meeting's, and on the excursions of tiu^ Gliih.
\Yg hope I 0 see an increasin,u‘ inbwest taken in mil oral
history matters i7i Queensland this coming' year. The
pro])Os,ed visit of the Royal Australian Grnit lioloo-ists^
Union to this State durino- next Sep1('ml)er should have
,a beneficial effect in this direction.

o

THE EUCALYPTS OR GUM TREES OF THE
BRISBANE DISTRICT.

By C. T. White, F.L.S., Govtumnumt Botanist.
(Portion of Presidential Address delivered ]>,eiore the
Queensland Naturalists’ (dub, 18th Febrijary 1924.)

T.

The indigenous flowering plants of Austraila num-
ber approximately 10,000 s])ecimens. Tlte family Myr-
taceae, which contains the Euealypts or Gum* Trees,
contains Hb()ut 700 species, and is num?ri(a‘diy the se(U)m!
largest family of flowering plants, the largest being the
Leguminosae, with approximately l.lOf) sinuues. Tin;
Euealypts of Australia are estijuaied at about 200 spia-ies,
and of these about 70 are found in Queensland, many
of course being common to (Queensland and the neighbour-
ing States.

For tile ])ast fcAV years F have ]>ai<l s})eeial artentio):
to the eucalyiits of the Brisham* district, and within a
ten-milt; radius of th.e city have found 22 distinct kinds.

The (Uiealypts iu themselves form a very natural
genus (it plants, luit prt'sent many difficulties a1 unv
attempt to arrange the species into natural groups. t*acii
group iiossessing a. number of characters in common.
One of the main difficulties in the way of classification

68

The Queensland Naturalist.

May, 1924

is ili(.' o-roat variability in most of tlio charavters rolital on
for cTassificalioo. Tlioro haw sowral si'Ihmuos of

classification ])ublishecl by different bolariists from time
to time, each scheme l)eiTij*' based primarily on one par-
ticular feature, sucJi as barks, anthers, fruits, chemical
constituents, etc. The various schemes i>roposed by
different botanists have been ably summarised by Mr.
J. IL Maiden, in a ]>a])er. ‘'Is Eucalyptus Variable?”
(Journal and Proceediti^-s of Royal Society, X.S.AY.,
\()\. d(i). and more recently in his “(’ritical IR^vision of
tile Uenus Eucalyptus.”

It nec(‘ssarily means, however, that such schemes of
classification are to a v.ery laru'c extent artificial, trees
naturally closely allnui bein^' ])laced with' a])art in the
arran.uaunent of tlie ^'cnus.

For field work, the bark characters are niuiuestion-
ahly the most serviceable upon Avhich to oroup the
s])ecies. The arranoannent of the s])ecies in ^-roups ac-
cording- to tlieir hark characters was first used by Fer-
dinand von Mueller, and in his ‘H.h'itieal Revision of the
(tenus Euealyptus.' ’ J. IF. Maiden has further elaliorated
Mueller's system. In the arraitu'eaumt wliieh follows, T
have larjtely followed both iMaiden and Miudh'r, but place
some of the s])ecies differmitly. T have not allowed the
group TTemi]>h!oieae, which seems to me an nnuatural one
that might easily lead to confusion in identifying euea-
ly])ts in the field. I l]a^'e dividtal this pri'sent pai)er into
]>arts, llie first being an attimipt to draw iij) a key suit-
able for fi(dd use. the other ])art or parts to be jmhlished
in following nnrnhtu’s of the “Naturalist,” Avill be devoted
to descriptions, with notes on distribution, uses, etc., of
each species. It must he distinctly understood that the
key presented herewith refers simjily to the trees as they
grow in the immediate neighbourhood of Brisbane, and
is not altogether a})plicable to the same trc'os as growing
(dsewherc. Even the hark relied on for the main groups
is a variable feature, particularly in the smooth-harked
trees or gums proper, where the amount of j)ersistent
bark varies very considerably; sometimes instead of fall-
ing off‘ and leaving a smooth, clean barrel, it may be
more or less persistent. Thus the Scribbly Gum (Euca-
lyptus micrantha), wliich normally has a smooth, clean
bole, on tiio Darling Downs (o.g.. Toowoomlia, (Vows
Nest. etc.), carries a persistent fibrous hark on the-
ti'unlv and main }>ranclies.

May, 1924

The Queensland Naturalist.

69

Variation according' to ^■.eo'iTapliic ran^'c has also
been referred to by Luehinann in Victoria with tlie
Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis). Ollier I'eatiireN
vary ivitli differenees in soil and moisture, as in the ease
of the eoppice leaves of the Yellow Strin<>’ybark (E* ac-
menoides) ; as tlie tree ^-rows in Ihe l^risbane district the
coppice leaves can easily be distin*tuished from those (d
the variety carnea by their texture and ^-reater si/e.
particularly breadth- Wlnm *>'ro\viu”' on richer soils, ae-
comjjauied by a ^'reater rainfall, as on the iilaekall
Ean^'e, Mary Yalley. D’Ajiiiilar Ran,u’e, i\it. Litulsay, ,ete..
the cop]>ice leaves of typical E. acmenoides l)eeome much
broader, thon^'h still retaining’ their (diaraeteristie thin
texture.

The encalypts here recorded are those occurring-
within a ten-mile radius of the city. T think the list is
complete, but it is ])ossil)le that still further eollceting
over the area )uay result h^ adding one or two more
s])eeies to those recorded.

The only i)r(*viously published list of Ihe encalypts
of the Brisl)ane district is that contained in 'Y\ (‘eiisiis
of the Flora of Bris[)ane," written by F. M. Bailey and
J. PI. Tenison-Woods, in LS7J), and print(Hl in ^^)l. IV. of
the Proceedings of the Linnean Society of Neiv Sontii
AYales. They listed sixteen s])(‘c*h?s within a tw.enty-hve
mil(‘ radius of the city.

Group 1. — Smooth-Barked Trees, or Gums Proper.

Trunk normally smooth, the bark coming off in
scales or strips, leaving a clean smootli barrel, hark com-
monly persistent at base of trunk and vi'vy rai’ihy per-
sistent for some time almost iij)- 1in‘ imtire trunk— blue
gums, grey gums, red gums, Avhite gums, (dc. Sp(‘eies 1-7.

Trunk columnar or shaft-like, bark persistent at
])ase, the uj^per part ribliony, tree in the Brisbane district,
only found on rich, alluvial fiats associated with
' ' scrub ^ ■ ( rain-forest ) trees. 1 . E. saligna f Floochul
Gum),

Trunk more or less irregular. tr(*es found on poorm*
soils (schists, saudsfoiu's, (de.), in typical eucalyptus
country. Sjiecies 2-22.

Bark persistent on loAver ])art of trunk, un
the larger trees, markedly tesselated. with the nn-
per ])art of trunk smooth and glossy; (on tlie

70

The Queensland Naturalist.

May, 1924

youii^* tr.ees the* hark is not ttvsselated, but sub-bbrous
and dark ^-rey. and extends to the leafy branches. 2. E.
tesselaris (Moreton Bay Ash).

Trunk usually sniootli to tlie base. Species 2-7.

Trunk marked with indentations like bullet marks,
d. E. maculata (Spotted (tuiu).

Trunk marked always (?) with seribbly brown lines.

4. E. micrantha (Seribbly (Jum).

Tiuidv rather u'lossy, mark(*d witli larp:e red, blue or
yr(\v> h j>aU4ies. primary coppice* shoots (juadranenlai’.
With leav('s very broadly ovat(' 4-4 inches lon.tr. and
mosll\' over two incties wide; s(‘(*ondary copjiiee leaves
lar; 2 '<'- up t(t 10 inclu's lon^- and o\'er three* inches wide*;
cap of flowei- bud (‘ion^'ate'd, {-i inch lon^\ rim of seed
vessel altout 1 line vah'.es })romine*ntly protruding.

5. E. tereticornis (Blue Cxum).

Trunk usually dull, marked wit h larn'e h'aden
grey patches, or for tlie most ])art dull ieaden-grey
in colour, coppice leave*s 2-5 inedies long, 1-2 inches wide,
ea]) of flower bud 1-2 liiies long. (*one-shaped. capsule
without a high rim, valves protuding. b. E. propin-
qua (Clrey Gum).

Trunk usually as in E. propinqua, . cot)pice
leaves. narrenv. mostly less than an inch in
width. varying considerably in length, cap of
flowe'i* bud elongale'd, mostly about i ine-h long, rarely
shorter: eaj).sule valves i^rotrndiug. rim variable. 7.
E. Seeana (Narrow-leaved Grey Gum).

Group 2 — Boxes.

Bark dark grey, sid)-fibrous, mueh iulerloeked the
outer t)arts often shed in loose scab's or patches.

Trc(* with ly])ical I)ox hark on truidv, aiid basal part
of main hranclu's; lu'anclu's and hranclilcts smooth, the
shed bark often hanging down in long ribbons from th.e
forks. M. E- hemiphloia (Gum'toi)p,ed Box).

Group 3.- — Stringybarks.

Bark very filtrous, persistent (ui trunk aiul branch(*s,
yollow. brown, or reddish, or ageing to grey, often black-
ened l)y fire. Species 9-16.

Seed ea]>snles 1 ineh long. ^-1 inch in diameter^
usually strongly ribbed (veined), ribs Kimi)le or forked-
9. E. Planchoniana (Blanchon’s Stringybark).

May, 1924

Tlie Queensland Naturalist.

71

Seetl capsules faintly rilibed (v,ehu‘tl). -J inch long
and as broad at the base: me apex about inch across.
10. E. Baileyajia (Bailey ’.s Stringybark).

Seed capsules Avith 8-1 long protruding valves. 11.
E. resinifera {K.ed Stilngybark).

Seed capsules without protruding valves, or the
valves very slightly protruding. Species 12-16.

Seed capsules depressed, globular, several sessile
ti.e., without footstalks) or almost so. in a close head.
12 E. eugenioides (White Stringybark).

Seed capsules tapering a1 base inlt) a distinct slen-
der -stalk. Species 18-16.

Seed capsule elongated, transitioii from capsule
to stalk not very noticeable. (Bark fibres short, outer
bark inclined to be lamellar). 18. E. microcorys (Ta11ow
Wood).

Seed capsule round, stalk very distinct from capsule.
Bark fibres long, outer bark 61)res ageing to grey. Species
14-16.

Coppice leaves narrow.- 21-.’) inches long, i-1 inch
wide : rarely broader. 14. E. acinenioid*es (Yellow
Stringybark).

Coppice ]t‘aves broad. 4-7) inches or ?nore long, 2-8
inches l)road. rirn of seed capsule very tliin. lo. E. ac-
menioides var. carnea. (Yellow Slrlngybark).

Coppice leaves as in E. acmenioides var. carnea, but
seed capsule with a comparatively broad H line thick)
flattened or slightly sloping edge. 16. E. umbra (Yellow
Stringybark).

Group 4. — Ironbarks.

Trees will) hard, furrowed, black or dark grey. [)er-
sistent harks, rather friable, and the interstices often
carrying a dark red kino (‘‘gum”). Species 17-20.

T,.eaves opposite sessile, and rounded or cordate at
the base, usually coveiaai with a bluish liloom. 17. E,
melanophloia (Silv(‘r-b*aved Irou])ark).

Leaves not opposite, acute (i.e., uol roiiiubal or cor-
date) at the base. Species 18-20.

Coppice leaves very thick and coriaceous, large, up
to 4 iiiclics wide; adult leaves thick, coriaceous arid u]>
to 2 inches wide, cap of flower hud ]-i inch long, seed

72

Tne Queensland Naturalist.

May, 1924

<ia]>sulos }- iiH'li ill diameter. 18. E. siderophloia
{Rroad-leav(‘d froiihark) .

('()i)i)ie.e lea\'es rather thin in texture, commonly
glaucous, very rarely above 1} inches wide, adult leaves
similar to eoi)i>ice leaves, but more elot3gat.ed; cap of
flower bud conical, 2 lines long, seed capsule about i
inch in diameter. ID. E. paniculata (Grey Ironbark).

(.'o])piee l(‘avev ycrv narrow, sometimes only ] inch,
and mually less than i inch wide, adult leaves slightly
broader and usually drooping: flower atul fruit small;
caj: of flowin' l)tid conical al)out one line long, ea[)sule
2 lines iti diameter. 20. E. crebra (Narrowdeaved iron-
bark ) ,

Group 5. — Bloodwoods.

]>ark pm'sistenl, commonly inclined to be spongy
and Friable, and roughly and irregularly tesselated ;
outer lavers lamellar, inner layers sub-fibrous. Species
21 - 22 .

Seed eaj)sules ■] inch long and nearly I inch wide at
th(‘ broadest ])art ; timber mostly red or pink, very rarely
wldte. 21. E. corymbosa (Red Bloodwood).

Seed eapsulf inch long and ] inch wide at tlo^
broadest i)art; timber white. 22. E. trachyphloia
(White Bloodwood) .

{To be continued).

— o

NOTES ON THE BRONZEWING PIGEON.

By R. Tllidge.

This beanlil'ul pigeon now appears to be (piite ex-
limU as la^gaials the vicinity oF IRushane. B]) to the
seventies it was a common ])ird in several loealities. and
mostly Favoured the siuith sidi' of tlie river, where the
thiek(Ds oF wattliu inters|>m*se(l with other seed-lmaring
l)lanl<. Formed an exeelleni sh'dter and provided an
ample sipiply of food. On ihe old Bogan Road, then a
busii track, the dejeetammita of liorses proviul vm’v at-
tractive. and a pair at least would he flushed from tlu'
droppings at (‘\'ej'y hnndrt'd yards or so. to wliieli they
would return wlieu all was (piiet again.

M^y, 1924

The Queensland Naturalist.

73

I have also seen odd speeiniens in those days, or per-
haps earlier. alon^‘ the same class of country above
Ithaca (b’cek, but the only locality where one could be
sure of a sio-ht of at least a i>air was at the Middle Ttidsce
of Taylor's Ran^-o, and there the familiar noisy Avhirr of
wings, as they rose from the ground when alarmed at
approacdi, ])etrayed their i)res(‘nce. This Middle Ridge ot
Taylor's Range runs into tlie main range at rigid atigles
to it near the luuv shelter shed, and lies betw(‘on the two
main branches of Tthaea Creek, one of wliieli flows down
through what are now known as the Darns, whereas the
other enters near the tuni-off road to Paddington, be-
low Avhere Captain Simpson once lived on the bill above,
now infested with lantana. Tlu‘ flats, as also tlu’ eourse
of the ere<*k. both above aiid l)elow, consisting of rich
scrub or tropical jungle, abounding in s]>lendid bird Ufo,
amongst which wcu'e rifle, regent, satin-bower-birds, eat
birds, all tin* beautiful specif'S of scrul) ]ugeous — a
regal lot — dragoon-birds, mountain thrushes, log-rnn-
uers. scrub turk(‘>'s. as also many sinaller fcatluu’ed
beauti(‘s. M'^hitt- (utekatoos abounded, as also king par-
rots. The rifle-bird bad a disagia*eab1y harsh call, as also
the eoeka1o(e but ilu* notes of many, especially amongst
the smaler birds, were d(‘liglitful. Tlie calls of the kar-
rawong tsome now dub it “currawong," Why?) t'ehoed
around the hills with pleasing effect. Here 1 first heard
the sharp, ringing, l)ell-like note's of the bell-miner
(minah), now no longer existent there, though it may
still be found at the head of Gold ('reek. The animal life
of this locality was also abundanf and varie'd. it consiste'd
of the large* grey kangaroe), wallabies, ])aeldA'melo]m,
'possums, flying sejiiirrels in seve'ral sj)e(Mes. nati\'(' bear,
and other smaller marsupials; also the echieina. Dingoes
also Avere much in evielence. The large native eat
(dasyurc) Avas also suspected, but the specimens of this
which T obtained Avere from the head of the creek vdueli
enters Enoggera Creek in the Ga]). and is in the granite
country of the Enoggera Range. Wheia' are all thesf*
animals and birds uoav? (Tuie with the splendid vi*g(‘ta-
tion which clothed the country in those days.

Early exj)erience of the l)ron/('-\ving was gained in
1864 on tin* Darling Downs, at Clifto)), where, as a lad. T
liAuul with an uncle at an out-station, known as Mount
Kent. }I(*r,e for a time we bad a v(*rA- dry spell, and tlie
only Avater beyond a dam Avas obtainable at King's Creek.

The Queensland Naturalist.

May, 1924

/4

over seven miles away. The birds would come every
evenin^Li*, sometimes in small flocks or in pairs, and settle
on the "round away from the Avater, Avhich they cau-
tiously apin'oaehed, and finally appeared to rush. It was
tJu* signal for the guns, and seldom less than five or six
Avere shot, a welcomie change from station diet, as they
are excellent eating. Tn the day time these pigeons were
feeding on the fallen seeds of various trees and small
})lants on the flat to]) of ATt. Kent, but Avere A'ery Avary
and difficult of approach. The AU'‘getation of tin; moun-
tain to]) Avas very different to the forested plain beloAV.
and consisted, of wattles and other leguminous plants,
that of the plain bastard box mostly. T have never knoAvn
th(‘ bronxe-wing as a bird of the tro])ical jungle (se.rnbs
but alAAUiys a denizen of the thickets of wattle and other
trees, and haA^e seen and shot it most times of the year,
summer and Avinter.

The beauty of this bird is well sIioavu in the radiaiit
si)lendour of the scapular featlnuAs of a specimen from the
Banana district of Central QiuMuisland, which Mrs. Tlob-
ler retricA'ed from a eat. Tin* coppery or golden coppery
sheen is unefpialled, and surely indicates a bird, prol>ab]y
male, in most sui>erb plumage.

In recent years, during visits to the Jandowae dis-
trict. on the Xorthern Doavus, in February and Novem-
ber, December, about tAvo years ago, T kept a good look-
out for this pig(‘on, but did not see or hear it. The-
barred-shouldered dove. hoAvever, Avas not rare, for T
frequently saAv it. and AA'as rather snr])rised. for I Avas not
then aAvare that it Avandered so far from the coastal dis-
tricts. Avltere it is a very common bird.

0 —

May, 1924

The Queensland Naturalist.

75

AMONG THE BIRDS AT REDCLIFFE.

By G. H. Barker.

l.asi ( 'hristuias lime (l!)2il) \v(^ wen' housed on tiio
edge of 1lie timber just behind the post-offiec. Our little
camp stood in the ceiitre of a o2-i‘)ereh block, and was
overshadowed by a fair-sized native apple or Angophora,
on which a pair of noisy miners had built a nest and
reared a family, [ncidentally. they looked on the block
as their domain, and (*very1hing in it, including ourselves,
as thf're for their benefit. They were jealous owners, and
waged Avar with all and sundry in tlie liird world who
attemj^ted to visit it. Tlie sole aim in life of the young-
sters appeared to be to eat. and when they Avere not
s(|ueaking after one (u* other of tlie partuil birds, they
Avert^ stpK'aking and foraging oji tluur own. hunting for
insecl.N in tin' trees, among tlie grass, on our roof, in the
rubbisii Iiolo. and e\’.en in the dining tent itself. They
A'aried this by hunting among the flowers for hom\y. Tn
the j)addoeks AV(*i-e a Tiumber of floASuwijig bloodwoods
and Angoph(u*as, and naturall\' the parrots and lioney-
eaters sought to \’isii them on their rounds, but rarely
got a meal in peac('. Oin* or other of the miiii'rs was surt'
to he ahoiit. and liis angry s(pu*aks would soon bring
about the others, and a regidar Inu' and ery Avould ensue,
and mO e('as(‘ till the visitoi* had floAvn. Blneys. scaly-
hreasts, friar-birds, fig-birds, bluefaees, and otlier bom*y-
('aters all had to go, and tlie only pi'rsons immune Avert*
tlie magpit' larks (ui tiu' gromid. and tlie butelu*r l)iiais
on the ft'iiee. Om* particular family received speeha! at-
tention, and this A\'as a eompany of babblers, who got as
far as the fence i*egularly, but lU'vi'r luid mucli sucees-^
beyond that. It may be that this particular bird's comical
lialiir of travelling round the bush in a series of happy
rough and tnmhles Avith its felloAA’s, and just as frauiuent
eompan\' ehorus(*s of ehuekhes. t-atealls, and AAdiistles. re-
minded the mim'rs of their oavii habit of friendly Avrangles
and noisy not(‘s of false alarm. a,mi caused them to re-
gard the babblers a^ theatrical riAmls and treated them
accordingly. AnyA\my, the advent of the ha])py family
was always the signal for a full roll-up of tlie miiiers and
a gi'iieral miv-iip until the former had moA'cd on-

76

The Queensland Naturalist.

May, 1924

Tt is rai’ely that the leatherhead can he i)ersuaded to
move on until lie is ready, hut in this ])add()ek his startled
'^wock, Avoek.’’ ad^'ertised the facd, that, trailed hy a
miner, he Avas "hitting- the hreeze,’' as the eowhoy puts
it. >Sealy breasts wotild endeaA'Our to prot-rastinate hy
short fliji'hts to different ])arts of the trees, hut once the
miners realised that their hunts Avere not hein^* accepted
in the spirit in AAdiich they AAu*re ^'iA’cn, direct action AA^as
resorted to, and the ^Teenies deiiarted hence in (piiek
order. Ainon<>' tin' visitors to this paddock, in addition
to those already mentioned, mio-ht he mentioinnl, fi.ir
birds, orioles, little friar birds, blood birds, hhu-k (uips.
pardalotes, kin^-fishers. Avhistlers, and mistletoe swalloAvs.
One of tlie most remarkable features of the bird life of
Redeliffe is the absence of sea birds and Avaders, with
the exception of tAvo or tliree sihmr »adls and cormorants
and a fcAV terns, no mariiu' bird life AA^as seen on the
beaches. Xo doubt the peculiar type of foreshore, and
the jAresence of lar^’o hanks in otlier ])arts of the Bay, is
the reason for this. Of the land birds, it niiyht Avell be
said that Avbat they lack in variety they make up in
numbers, as there Avere ahvays ]Alenty Avitb ns during' our
stay.

WELCOME SWALLOWS.

By G. IT. Barker.

T AA^onder hoAv many of our (Mub members, or for
that matter, of the general public, haA'e noticed that
Victoria Bridge is the present hostel for all the Welcome
SAvalloAVS of 11 h‘ Brisbane distriid. Oni‘ night recently, as
T Avas Avalking doAvn Ann Street, from George* Street to-
Avards the riv(*i*, T noticed numbers of tlu'se i)irds liurt-
ling along just overhead, aud a])])ar(*u11y diving over the
palisades into the river. On looking ov(*r tlu* fence T
found llial tlie sAvalloAVS. on reaching the Avater. skimmed
along its surface at a great paeu*. making foj* the third
s])an of tin* bridge. \vh(*r(‘ they flew uj) uinh*rneath the
structure*, f Avalked on to llu* bridge* and leaned ove*!' tlie
rail. Hundreds of swalloAvs ou tin* outer cable turned
their little heaels up to gaze at tin* intrinler. It a])pears

May, IQ24.

The Queensland Naturalist.

77

that most of them ali,G'ht 011 tliis outer (*ahle ju'ior to
seleetiii*** a place for ttie ui^'lit on one of 1 he ]u-oteeted
cables under the footbridji'-e on the western side. Here
thousands of these wonderful little fliers eam]> for the
night. Everyone is familiar with the hissing ehirrui) emit-
ted by this swallow when one of its ftdlows alights close to
it on a rail or wire, and it is easy to imagine that this
note emitted from thousands of little throats, and echoed
off the water below, as neighbours bustl(‘d in alongside
of those already in camp, resembled nolliing so much as
escaping steam from a fair-sixed boiler. On another even-
ing T visited tlu^ camp a little earlier, and was able to
watch the early arrivals. T was inucli entertained by tiuur
gambols. Qompanios of them flew u]) and down the
river, rising and wheeling as though at drill. An old
barge, surmounted by a derrick, was moored to the wall
at one ]dace and the l)irds, tiring of tlieir drill, would
make for the boat, camp along the rail, the slays, the
winch, the mooring lines, and everywhere else, shonlder
to slioiilder, in hhu'k lines. At an imperceptible signal,
the wholi^ company, as one bird, hurled themselves off
the boat in the manner peeuliar to these birds when dan-
ger is around. After another short flight drill they would
laud on the rails along the ^ra!!. and repeat the perform-
ance. As dusk drew 071 sei'tions Avould cease these pranks
and make for the hridgi*. to get. no doubt, the pickt'd
positions, hut it is always ^rell afto 7 ‘ dark before lati'-
comers and displaced early-doorites get finally sett led
and tlie hissing dies down. Tt would be interesting to
learn from wliat distance birds come eaeli night to this
camp. Every evening companies pass over my house, on
the ridge of Eildon Hill, and as they are heading di-
rectly for the Eridge. it can he safely stated that the
Brirlu'<‘ ( amp is their goal. T would like to Ijcar from
otliei’ members who have noticed this evening fliglit, if
the birds are heading for the Bridge, and at what dis-
taTice their station is froTu it in a direct line. It will alsd
hd worth watching the camp itself later in the year to
ascertain when and in what nintibers they migrate, and
T would suggest to anv of our members who use the
bridge that they should keep an eye on the comings and
goings of the birds, and thus ])e able to add to this
record.

— 0

78

'Vhe Queensland Naturalist.

May, 1924

INSECT NOTES.

By R. Tllido’e.

(a) Notes on Psychopsidae (Lace-wings).

Neuroptera.

Early in January Mr. J. (’. Hinith, our hon. Exeursion
Secretary, handed me a very ])eantiful laee-Aving, oh-
tained at Coominya, South Queensland. This Avas de-
scril)ed by Xewman, in ‘‘The Entomologist" of TST2. as

Psychopsis mimica.

Mr. Barnard also ])resented me with live specimens
of another species, about the same size, from BlackAvater.
in the ('eniral District, Queensland, which proved new To
science. These are now in llu' hands of Dr. Tillyard for
description, with a stipulation that one speciimm should
be lodg(‘d in our Queensland Museum, f had tireviouslj'
given one to tin* Department of Agriculture, Brisbane, as
the species of Psychopsidae are now known io })e of great
economic value in the destruction of pests, the apple
moth larvae, etc.

To Mr. Franzen T am indebted for the loan of the
small but rare species known as Psychopsis coelivagus,
from the Brisbane distinct.

The most remarkable of all these. hoAvever, is the
large Megapsychops illidgei, liitherto only known from
TambouriTie ^Mountain. South Queensland, of which bTit
few specimens have been obtained, but that now on
view came from Stantliorj)!*, S.Q., and is m the position
as Avhen settled on a rock face, Avith closed Avings.

(b) Notes on a Rare Neuroperous Insect of the Family
Osmylidae, from Tambourine Mountain.

About tAvo years ago I received from Mr. t’olii]
Ge’ssmann. of Tambourine Mountain. Southern Queens-
land, a neuropterous insect belonging to tin* family
Avhich Avas named and described in 1916 by
Dr. Tillyard^ Euporismus albatrox. The specimen then

*Proc. Linn: Socy. of N.S.W.. 1916, Vol. xU.. Part 1.
March 29th. p. 43.

May, 1924

79

The Quee nsland Mamrallst.

8ent, after exhibition and comment thereon before the
members of the Clnb^ was deposited in the Queensland
IMuseitm. Late in Feliruary of this year ^liss Hilda Geiss-
mann forwarded two s])eeimen.s. and Ave are thus indebted
to her for a furtlier si^'ht of this rare and ele^'ant insect,
of which, so far, only seven s})(‘cimeus are J^nown. four of
Avhieh Avere ca])tured Avhilst sittinji- on rocks in the river-
bed of the (V)ndamin,e Kiver, above Killarney, Darling'
DoAvns, South Queensland, the other three ha\'ing been
taken as above stated. We have no information yet as to
the life history, i)iit can only surmise lliat in habits It
aamII be found to be afpiatic in the larval instars, the ulti-
mate of Avhich emerp:es from the Avater ere making its
ecdysis as in various other neuroptera.

(c) Parandra frenchi, Blkbn.

Whilst collecting, in company Avith Mv. II. Tryon. iii
the National Park, Macpherson Kange. avc came upon
some larvae and pupae of a beetle, longicorn in character.
AAdiich Avas quite ncAv to us. These T undertook to breed
out to the perfect insect, and hence Ave collected a large
number of both larvae and pupae for that )>urpose. The
larvae in the last instar only, as it is useless taking tluun
earlier, unless Avith huge and cumbersome sections of
the logs. T AA^as much handicajAped for Avant of pro])er
receptacles for breeding jAurposcs, as it is difficult to
carry sufficient material to such places as the National
Park, where pack-horses are the only means of transit.
However, by means of small tin cans, tobacco boxes, etc.,
we managed to obtain over a hundred pupae and a
smaller number of larvae. With these, hea\w losses
Avere encountered through the attacks of a small blacd\
fly. which deposited its eggs in both larvae aud pu^'>ae
collected, the maggots from which killed them Avholesab'.
as also the jolting on the pack-horses, so that of the per
feet insects not more than a dozen arrived at nmP'rUy.
These serv^ed for identification of the insect, w^hich T
took to be a snecies of Snondvlns, though with much
doubt, so T sent it to Mr. A M. Tmu. of Seuth Australia,
who returned the name as Paran^’ra frenchi.

The chief interest outside this insect’s abcrraul ]Alac(‘
amongst the Priouidae in the Lone’ieornia. is the enor-
mous destruetiou amongst the h'^er)-uines Araucawa
Cnnning'hamii when wounded or felled for timber and
left lying in the damp scrub. One large piece of srpiared

8o

The Queensland Naturalist.

May, 1924

timber, about 12iu., aiul. say. 12ft. lon^’, was perforated
as in that herewith exhi])ited, and which was cut from it.
The main i)art of the tree on the ground was in a similar
state. exce])t that this, being covered by the bark, the
beetles had found it more difficult to get at, and there-
fore had pierced it through cracks and crannies, and the
larvae had committed their depredations therefrom as
a nucleus or base, ihus leaving i>arts free of attack.

Like most other Prionidae, Parandra frenchi has a
much larger head and prothoimx in the male sex than is
the case with the female. The mandibles of the male are
evidently cutting instriiments, and their use as such very
obscure. The antennae are very short, and any ouq not
knowing larva and pupa might well doubt their classih-
catioii amongst the Loiigicorns.

(d) Noteworthy Celeoptera Bred from Ultimate Larval
Instars. — Collected in the Queensland National Park,
Macpherson Range.

Rhipidocerus australasiae. — Hoop-pine and other soft
woods; also Antarctic Beech (Fagus Moorei) ; pupal
stadium lasts ten (10) to 12 days.

Parandra frenchi. Hoop-pine: piqjal stadium about
15 days-

Ceratognathus frenchi (?) . — Soft wood, fallen in
scrub; ])upal stadium 17 days, for 2 specimens only.

Syndesus cornutus. — Soft wood, fallen in scrub; nu-
pal stadium about 3 weeks.

Rhyssonotus nebulosus. — Various fallen timber, pu-
pal stadium not recorded; ouly one specimen survived;
beetle common, however.

Eurhamphus fasciculatus. — ^Hoop-pine ; pupal sta-
dium, 20 days; only one specimen emerged perfect, but
several others more or less in a mutilated state; no speei-
mens were obtained more than half the size of those
from the pine forests of the Gympie district.

Alans prosectus. — Predaceous on the larvae of other
beetles, especially Eurhara]>hus; last larval and pupa! in-
stars have very variable stadia, sometimes of many
months’ duration, all through the winter months es-
I)eeially.

0 -

May, 1924

The Queensland Naturalist. 8l

OBITUARY.

It is with great regret that we have to announce the
death of two or our members.

Mr. W. M. TANXEK. \vho was knocked down and
killed by a 'motor car in Queen Street, was born at Carl-
ton, Melbourne, Victoria, on the 2Hth January, 1857, and
was thus 67 years of age at the date of his death. His
sudden loss was particularly felt, as he was a most active
member of the council, and our honorary lanternist for
some years ])ast. He was a keen worker generally, par-
ticularly in microscopy, and more especially aquatic life,
both marine and fresh-\vater. He was to have accompan-
ied the party to Moreton Island on our reeeiit encamp-
ment there, and liis death by accident a day before our
departure east a gloom over the camp. His presence at
meetings will be sadly missed, as it can be truly said that
he was one of the most popular members of the Club.
He came to Queensland as a boy and resided at Toowoom-
ba, Gympie, Rockhampton, and Brisbane respectively,
coming to the last about twenty-three years ago.

82

The Queensland Naturalist.

May, 1924

Mr. J. WHEELEE, who di(‘d 011 Ibt^ 26th April, was
born at Bri^'hton, En^-land, on the 28rd May, 1856, and
came ont to Victoria at an early age. He came to Queens-
land in 1899, and had been for many years a member of
the Queensland Naturalists’ Club. Before ill-health pre-
vented his regular attendance at meetings and excur-
sions he was a constant attendant and helper at most
meetings of the ('lub and a past officer of the council.
Our sincerest sympathy is extended to his widow, who is
also a keen naturalist and member of the Club.

SYLLABUS OF MEETINGS— JUNE, 1924.

May ]9th. — Evening Meeting. Reports on Excur-
sions Exhibits.

June 3. — King’s Birthday (Tuesday).— All day ex-
cursion to Saraford Range.

June 16. — Evening Meeting. Reports on recent ex-
cursions. Notes and exhibits.

May, 1924

The Queensland Naturalist.

83

EXCHANGES.

The Hon. Librarian (Mr. G. H. Barker) reports the
receipt of the following journals since the last issue of
the Queensland Naturalist”: —

Natural History— Journal of the American Museum of
Natural History, Vol. XXIII,, No. 6, Nov.-Dee.,

1923, New Yorkj also Vol. XXIV., No. 1, Jan.-Dee.,

1924, New York.

American Midland Naturalist, Vol. IX., No- 1, January,
1924.

Agricultural Gazette of Canada, Vol. XI., No. 1., Jan.-
Feb.. 1924.

United Empire— Royal Colonial Institute Journal, Vol.
XV. (new series). Nos. 1 and 2, January and Febru-
ary, 1924.

Aquatic Life, Vol. VII., Nos. 8 and 9, Dec., 1923, and
January, 1924.

Milwaukee, Bulletin of the Public Museum, Vol. 1, No.
1. No, 1, 174 plates. 1-36, December, 1923.
Ethnobotany of Menomini Indians.

Victorian Naturalist, Vol. XL., No. 11, March, 1924.
(Contains an article on Butterfly Collecting in Nor-
thern N.S.W., and Southern Queensland., by A. N.
Burns and L. B- Thorn.)

Western Australia, The Journal of Proceeding's of Royal
Society of. — Vol. IX., Part 2.

British Museum of Natural History —

Economic Series, No. 12 — The Cockroach ; its Life
History. How to deal with it, by F. Laing, M-A., 1921.
Ditto, No. 13. — Mites Injurious to Domestic Animals
(with an appendix on the Aearine Disease of Hive
Bees), by Stanley Hurst, 1922.

Ohio Journal of Science, Vol XXIIJ.. No. 6.

Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, Vol. 76, No. 5.
The Telescoping of the Cetacean Skulk by G. S-
Miller with 8 plates.

California University Publications in Botany. Vol. XII.,
No. 1,; pp. 1-16. Lichenes. a W* A. Setchell et H. E.
Parks, on Insular Tahiti, a 1922 eollecti.

}

\

A

1

i

VOL. IV., No. 5. SEPTEMBER, 1924 |

. . Cfce . .

Queensland naturalist

Journal of fbe

Oueenslana naturalists' t^lub

AND

nature-covers' Ceague.

The Poetry of Earth is never deadP — Keats.

The Author of each Article is responsible for the Statements
expressed therein.

CONTKNTS^ :

Proceedings

Flora of Moreton Island

A Few Notes on the Geology and Physiography
of Moreton Island

Notes on Land Vertebrates

Notes on a Rare Atherine Found Upon
Moreton Island

Note on the Genus Stigmodera

List of Butterflies Collected or Observed
Coleptera Found on Moreton Island
Bird Life at Cowan Cowan, Moreton Island

The CartcrAVatson Co. Ltd., Printers, Brisbane,

85

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93

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i'

The Queensland Naturalists’ Club

- AND -

Nature-Lovers’ League.

Official J ournal — The Queensland Naturalists

0

OFFICK liKA^RKUS,

0

Patron:

Sir Matthew Nathan, G.C.M.G., Governor of Queensland.

President:

Prof. E. J. Goddard, D.Sc.

(The University, Brisbane).

Vice-Presidents :

Mr. W. B. Alexander, M.A., and Mr, J. C. Smith,

Hon. Secretary :

Mrs. W, M. Mayo,

Roseberry St., Highgate Hill, South Brisbane.

Hon. Excursion Secretary :

Mr. J. C. Smith

(C/o Murray Fraser. Charlotte Street, Brisbane).

Hon. Treasurer: Hon. Librarian :

Mr. G. H. Barker, Mr. G. H, Barker,

' Albert Street, Brisbane.

Committee:

Mr. R. Illidge.

Mr. F. B. Coleman.

Hon. Lanternist :

Mr. W. J. Sanderson.

Mr. R. L. Higgins.

Mrs. Hobler.

Hon. Editor.^ Naturalist :

Mr. C. T. White.

Subscriptions :

Ordinary Members 10s. per annum.

Country Members 5s. per annum.

Nature-Lovers* Certificate, 4d.

MKETINGS:

Monthly Meetings are held at the Brisbane Women^s Club Rooms
Albert House, C/r Albert and Ann Streets, Brisbane,
on the third Monday of every month.

liAi’’,' . V.. fi . •* . n ; / l,/H fVt

Cbe Queensland naturalist.

JOURNAL OF THE QUEENSLAND NATURALISTS' CLUB
AND nature-lovers’ LEAGUE.

VoL. IV. September, 1924. No. 5.

PROCEEDINGS.

May — July, 1924.

EVENING MEETING, 19th MAY, 1924.— The
president (Professor E. J. Goddard) occupied the chair,
and there was a good attendance of members. The
meeting was devoted principally to reports on the natural
history of Moreton Island by leaders of the different
sections on the Easter encampment of the Club on the
island. Reports were given by Mr. IT. A. Longman
(general zoology). Miss II. Geissmann (birds), Mr. R.
L. Higgins (photography), Mr. C. T. White (botany),
Mrs. C. A. Messmer (fresh-water fish), Mr. L. Franzen
(butterflies), and Mrs. Hjobler (beetles). Mr. Nebe
exhibited specimens of fulgurites from Moreton Island.
Mr. Alexander laid on the table a list of birds observed
at Enoggera on the excursion of the Club to the Enoggera
Reservoir on Saturday afternoon, 17th May. Congratu-
lations were offered to Mr. C. W. Holland, one time
Hon. Secretary of the (Tub, on his appointment as
Assistant Tender Secretary for Public Lands.

EVENING MEETING, 18th JUNE.— The president
(Professor E. J. Goddard) occupied the chair. Dr. E. 0.
Marks described the geological features of the Samford
basin visited by the Club on recent excursions during
May and June. Dr. Marks also described an
ancient bora ring at Samford still in an excelleiit
state of }>reservation. Mr., W. B. Alexander dealt with
the birds observed on the recent excursion to the Enog-
gera Reservoir, and stressed the value to be derived from
systematic observations of bird movements during the
winter season. Mr. J. E. Young gave an account of a
rat found by him on Moreton Island, and probably
representing a new species. Mr. P. B. Coleman read a
paper on “Weeds and Weed-seeds," illustrated by speci-

Sept., 1924

86 The Queensland Naturalist.

meii.s and black-board diagrams. Mr. R. IHidge reported
on eollfiction.s of beetles made in the Enosrgera and
Samford districts re.spectively.

EVENING MEETING, 21st JULY, 1924.— The Vice-
President (Mr. J. C. Smith) occupied the chair, and
there Avas a good attendance of member.s. Mr. 'W. B.
Alexander gave a lecturette, illustrated by lantern slides,
on “The Earliest Descriptions of Au.stralian Animals.”
Mr. Franzen exhibited a case of insects of the genus
Stigmodera. Photographs of Emu.s, shoAving the male
bird .sitting on the eggs, Avere shoAvn by Mr. J. (b Smith.

0

FLORA OF MORETON ISLAND.

(Report on the Easter Encampment (19 24) of the Queensland
Naturalists’ Club at CoAvan CoAvan.)

By C. T. White, P.L.S.

The first naturalist to botanise on Morcton Island
Ava.s J. MacGillivray, who in 1847, during the voyage of
the “Rattlesnake,” spent a couple of days on the island;
he devotes about a page in his “Narrative of the Voyage
of II.M.S. Beagle” to its flora.

The island was visited nearly ten years laiter by
Ferdinand Mueller (afterAvards Baron Sir Ferdinand von
Mueller) during his eighteen months sojourn in Queens-
land and the Northern Territory Avith Gregory’s Expedi-
tion of 1855-6, to Av’hich he aa’us attached as bolanist.

In September. 1908, members of thi.s club, includirg
the present Avritcr. sjAent a feiv days on the Isl.and, having
Buhver, not far from our last camping place, CoAAmn
CoAvan, as headquarters; a genc-ral aeeonnl of the jJants
collected on that occasion Avdl be found in the pages of
the “Queensland Naturalist,” \ol. 1, pp. 70-(3, and that
account taken in conjunction Avith the present gives a
fair idea of the flora of the north-Avestern ))ortion of the
island. Botanising on the eastern coast and the southern
end Avould probably add a number of names to those here
listed.

Moreton Island is approximately 20 miles long and
not more than 5 miles Avidc at the AA'idest part. Though
the rainfall is heavy (63 inches at Cape Moreton), the
island for the most part consists of high sand hills (the
highest 910 feet), AA’ith a dry porous soil deficient in
plant food, Avith the consequence that the vegetation is

Sept., 1924

87

The Queensland Naturalist.

almost entirely xerophytic in character. For the most part
the flora consistn of typical Australian types; only on the
beach and in the fresh-water swamps is there found a
lari^e proportion of species with a wide o-eog-raphicai
distribution.

For the puri)ose of convenience the various plants
might be placed in the following live ecological groups —
(1) Beach Hora. (2) brackish swamps, (3) fresh water
('‘tea-tree’*) swam])s, (4) peat swamps or turf -moss
formation. (5) open sandy forest land.

(1) The Beach Vegetation. — The foreshores at the
northern end of Moreton Tsland, owing to the open charac-
ter of Moreton Bay, at this point pia'.sent practically all the
features of an ocean beach. It is noteworthy- tliat the
plants listed, witli a few exceptions, are species with a
wide distribution over the troi)ica1 and sub-tropical ocean
beaches of the Eastern Ilemipshere and some over the
beaches of both the Old and the New World.

The ])rincipal trees along the beach were -Tli})is(ms
tiliacens (Oidtonwood), Oupania anacardioides, Casuar-
ina eqiiisetifolia var. incana (Ooast Oak), and Pandanus
peduncuiatus. iShrubs noticed were Vitex trifolia and
Jasminum didymum. Trailing sand-binders were: — The
universal l])omaea Pes-caprae (Goats Foot Convolvulus),
so common along tropical benches as to have suggested
the uame “Pes-caprae formation** for the vegetation of
such almost all over the tropics; other idants with a wide
distrihutiou over thi^ tropical foreshores of the \\'orld
were: — Vigna lulmi with yellow, and Canavalia obtusi-
folia witli large purplish pea flowers respectively; Acacia
longifolia var. Sopborao, also common, is more typically
Australian, its prostrate stems of 10-P2 feet trailiTig over
the sand. Stephania hernandiaefolia was common jud
behind the sand dunes, as was Hibbertia volubilis. These
plants and some others in the Australian flora seem to be
equally at home oji sandy beaches as in rich tropical
and sub-tro])ical rain-forests, two habitats the absolute
antithesis of one another as far as conditions for plant
life are concerned.

Sand-binding grasses were represented by: — ^Sjtinifex
hirsutns, Zoysia pnngens (Coast Couch). Tschaemum tri-
ticeum, Paspalum littorale (usually occurs in brackish
swamps, but a clump was here seen growing under the
shade of a Casuarina tree; and Lepturns repens. Succu-
lent plants i)raetically always are a feature of beach
floras, and on Moreton Island were represented by: — -

88

Sept., 1924-

The Queensland Naturalist.

Cakile maritima. Sesuvium portulaeaslrum, Tetragonia
expansa (New Zealand S])inaeh ) , Mestnnht'yanthemum
aequilaterale (Pi.ii: Face). Hcaevola suaveolens, and two
spnr^-'es Euphorbia atoto and E. ereinophila.

Other plants seen ^rowin^’ on the beach were:^ — Oxalis
cornit'ulata (Wood-sorrel), Sonchus maritimus, Wedelia
bifiora. and Salsola Kali.

(2) Brackish Swamp off the Coast. — In a small brack-
ish swamp off the coast were seen a few trees of the
AVhite Mau^^rove (Avicenna officinalis), the only man-
jrroves observed alon^: the coast; ait the southern end of
the island. T believe more are to be found, 1'he other
plants pTowin^' in the swamp were: — Eclipta alba, (’rinum
peduuculat um, Juncus maritimus (Maritime Kush), Scir-
pus nodosus, Fiinbristylis ferru^inea, Paspalum idtorale.
and Sporobohis virji'inicus. Twining- round the Juncus
were Vi^aia luteola and Vincetoxiciun carnosum.

(3) Fresh Water Swamps. — J^yin^ close in from the
beach are very larji:e fresh-water swamps. The outstand-
ing' tree of these swamps is the common Paper-barked or
Jiroad-leaved Tea Tree (Melaleuca leueadendi'ou var.
viridiflora). Wherever the tea tree ^rew the n-round was
covered with the Bun^'wall Fern (Blechnum cartilagin-
eum). Other ferns ])resent were the so-called Flimbin^
Maidenhair (ijy^’odiuni scandens), and the small Lind
saea eiisifolia. In some parts the tea. tree is di.slpaced by
the Swamp Oak (Fasuarina ^'laiica). Other trees were
EncaUtiis teretieornis (Queensland Blue Onm) and
Euealyptus robusta (sometimes ealled Swamj) Mahoo-any).
The treivs of these coastal swamps have to withstand
s])ecial conditions very luifa vourahle to ])lant u'rowth, i.e..
])eriods of inundation' alteniatiiifi- with those of coinpara-
tivo dron.u’ht; the water possibly is not very eonji’enial to
them also, so that they are mostly xerojihytie in habit
with ton;zh leathery commonly vertically placed leaves;
some such as the Blue Gum and Tea Tree can adapt them-
selves I 0 tlie ordinary Australian forest conditions.
Melastmua malaliathricum is a common shrub of the
coastal sAvamj): it is known to Queensland children as
“Blue Tono-ue.” as the fruits when chewed stain the
month a hluish-hlack all oA'er. A few i>lants ot the larj^e
swamp orchid Phaiius o-i^andifolius were seen, and from a
lau'oon at the northern end of the island one of onr par1^
brouMd back to the camp a few flowers of the Bine
Water Lily (Nymphaea g-ijrautea). In the wetter parts
where the water was more ]’)ermanent Triglochin proeera.

Sept., 1924.

The Queensland Naturalist.

89

various sedges and Restiaceae were found growing, the
commonest being: Lepironia mucronata, Gahnia psitta-
corum, Gladium mariscus, and Hypolaena lateriliora. The
water grasses Pa.spalum scrobiculatum and the common
Reed tPhragmites) were also growing. In the drier parts
of the swamps Ilemarthria corapressa and Ischaemum
australe were common grasses.

(4) Peat Swamps or Turf-Moss Formation. — Lying
for the most part a little furlher inland than tlie fresh-
water SAvamps, separated from them by low sandy tracts,
and lying at the base of the first large sand-hills are largo
areas of peat swamps. Sphagnum moss was noticed in
the area, but ]io)t to a very great extent, and other plants
no doubt enter mostly into the formation of the i)eat.
Though the peat-swamp is for the most i)art ^^ery wet
and contains large bodies of more or less permanent
water, for some reason not definitely understood, tlie
water i.s not agreeable to the plants; this taken with the
fact that the peat itself is poor in plant food material
means that the plants growing on the peat-swamps are
xerophytic (i.e., adapted to arid conditions).

The peat-swamps of Moreton Bay and South-eastern
Queensland generally jmssess a great many flowering
shrubs and undershrubs, and during the spring months
are usually gay Avith wild floAA^ers. These include, inore
particularly, many Leguminosae, M3’rtaceae, Eparidaceac,
and Proteaeeae of genera endemic in Australia. Resti-
aceae and Cyperaceae are also usually well lanmesented.

The floAvering shrubs seen Avere: Aotns lanigan-a
(mostly in the edges of the sAvam]) and coAVred at Ihe
time of our visit Avith yelloAV floAvers), Leijtospennum
eitriodorum (Gitron-scented Tea Tree), Baeckea stcno-
phylla, Sprengelia Ponecletia, and Epaeris mieTMiphylia
(in full doAver) Piinelea linifolia Avas common in the
SAvanip, growing as an uimight Avoody plant 2 -'^ feet in
height.

Parasitic on the Leptos])ermum Avas Gassytha gla-
bella. TAvinod round the shrubby ATgetaition Avere Adras-
taea salicifolia and Alarsdenia Fraseri.

TnsectiA’oroiis ])lants always moia* or less character-
istic of Peat-sAvamps G^lligh Moors’’) in all parts of the
Avorld Avere represented by the sundcAVS Drosera binata
(a handsome species Avith comparatively large Avhite floAv-
ers) and Drosera spathulata Avith its small rosettes of
reddish leaves. The sAvarap Grass Tree (Xanthorrhaea
hastilis) Avas common. A feAv plants of Burmannia dis-

90

The Qut'ensland Naturalist.

Sept, 1924

ticha were seen in flower. Ilestiaeeae were represented
by Restio dimorplins, R. ^-vaeilis, Lepyrodia scariosa. and
in the wetter parts Ilypolaena lateriflora. ljycoj)0(is seen
were Lyco])odium eenuinni and 1 j. laterale, and in jtatches
the eorai fern ((f lenehenia elreinnata) was very abundant.

(5) Open Forest Land. -The forest lands of Moreton
Island are sandy throu^'hont. and only species capable of
o’rowino' m eoniparatively barren soil can hope to flourislu
The tret'.s. shrub and ve^-etation ^-enerally consist of typical
Australian ])lants for the most part represented by species,
and in many cases jz’enera not found, or at least I0 only a
limited evlent, outside Australia. The principal larger
tre(‘s were : Ei!caly!)tns corymbosa (Hloodwood), E.
mierantlia (Scribbly Gum — in full flower), E. Planchon-
iana. E. piliilaris (Hlackbutt), Tristania conferta (Box),
Acacia (fnnninghamii, Banksia integrifolia (White Ifoney-
su('kle). and the two almost indistinguishable Red Honey-
suckles (B. aemnla and B. serrata), Casuarina sn]>erosa
(She Oak). Gallitris arenosa (Sand Cypress), and the
Red Ash (A]t)hitonia excelsa).

In a forest ]')0cket where conditions were slightly
better for growth were some very large tree 8 of an Ango-
phora, which T have i)lace(l provisionally as A. Woodsiana.
blit to Avhat extent this speeies differs from llie tvpical A.
lanceolata has ytd I0 he proved. In more sheltered gullies
were semi a few trees of Eugenia cyanocariia and Endi-
andra Sieberi. On llie forest trees the following species
of Mistletoe were observed: Loranthms congener (on
Casuarina). L. pendnliis (on Eucalyptus), and L. celas-
troides (on Banksia).

Smalhu’ trees wt're represented by: Leptosjiermum
stellatnm. Baeckea stenophylla, Monotoca sp (aff. M.
sco]mrial. Exocarpns ciipressiformis (Native Cherry), and
Persoonia media (Goebnng)' — a few plants of this last
were among the few species growing on the large sand-
desert hehiiid Tangalooma, and its roots were found ex-
tending for a distance of nearly a hundred feet just under
the ground siii’face and here and there exjiosed to the
drifting sand: this wide-s])reading root systinn. adapted
to take advantage of jiassing showers and heavy dews,
is characterislie of a number of jilants of arid regions.

Shrubs and snb-shrubs of the ojieii forest were: Elae-
ocarpiis cyanens. Zieria laevigata var. laxidora, Boronia
ledifolia var. rosmarinifolia. Olax retnsa, Dodonaea tri-
quetra (Hop Bush), Pultenaea villosa. Acacia jimiperina,
A. suaveolens, Phyllota phylicoides, Dillwynia ericifolia,

Sept., 1924

The (Queensland Naturalist.

91

Goinpholobiuni virg'atiim, Homoraiithus vir^atiis, Myrtas
tenuifolia var. latifolia, Asterolasia lonj^ifolia and var.
glabrescensj Hiebera ericoides^ Leucopogon ericoides, L,
vipo-atius. L. iriar;^^arodes, L. laneeolatus var. gracilis, L.
leptospermoides (?), Lysmeina ])iingcns, Epacris pul-
eliella. Leptomeria acida, Ricinocarpus pinifolius (Wed-
ding Hush), Htraugea linearis, Petrophila sessilis, Lomatia
silaifolia and Conospermum taxifolium. A Grass Tree
(Xanthorrhaea sp. aft'. X. quadrangulata) was abundant.

Smaller Woody plants and herbaceous ones making
the remainder of the vegetation were: — Hibbertia volu-
bilis. 11. acicularis, 11. linearis, Viola hederaeea, (.’rotalaria
linit'olia. (\ Mitchellii, Glycine clandestina. G. tabaeina.
Harden bergia monophylla, Tephrosia filipes. Cassia
mimosoides, Bossiaea heterophylla, B, ensata, Gompholo-
bium, pinnatum, Desmodium, rhytidophyllum. Rubus
parvifolius, Pomax umbellata, Helichrysum apiculatum,
Vernonia einerea, Erechthites quadritentata, Cassytha
j)ubescens, C. paniculata var. remotifiora^ Amperea s])ar-
tioid(‘s. Poranthera microphylla, Commelina laneeolata,
Patersonia sericea, P. glabrata, Hmilax australis. S. gly-
cyphylla, Dianella laevis, Trieoryne elatior, Xerotes longi-
folia, Lei)tocarpus tenax (a Restiad)^ and the following
(A]>eraeeae :^Fimbristylis barbata, Caustis dexuosa,
Cyperus enervis, Sehoenus calostachyus, and S. nitens;
and the following grasses: — Anthistiria iraberbis (Kan-
garoo Grass). Panieum leucophaeum, P. parviflonim, P.
marginatum var. strictum, Axonojms semialatus (Cocka-
too Grass), Aristida ealycina (a three-pronged Spear
Grass), Andropogon rofraetus (Barbed Wire Grass),
Tmperata arundinacea (Blady Grass) and Eriaehne
pallescens.

The Ferns were represented by two species of the
xerophytic genus Sehizaea, namely, S. dichotoma and S.
bifida. Tn more favoured places the Mountain Bracken
Davallia did^ia was abundant.

Introduced Plants. — A few introduced plants have
been brought to the island by various agencies and become
sub-s|)ontaneous. A few of the appended list are natives
to Queensland, lint T believe recent introductions as far
Moreton Island is coneertnHl. The list is: — Sida rhombi-
folia (Sida retnsa), Oenothera sp. Erigeron canadensis,
Tagetes glandulifera (Stinking Roger). Opnntia inermis
("Prickly Pear). Lantana eamara, Solanum nigrum,
Amarantus viridis, Chenopodinm ambrosioides (Worm-
seed), Chloris Gayana (Rhodes Grass), Paniemm distaeh-
ynm. Cynodon daetylon (Couch Grass), and Eleiisine
indica (Crow\s-foot Grass).

92

The Queensland Naturalist.

Sept., 1924

A FEW NOTES ON THE GEOLOGY AND
PHYSIOGRAPHY OF MORETON ISLAND.

By Dr. E. 0. Marks, B.A., B.E.

Our Easter excursion to Moreton Island Avould make
a geolog'ist anxious for Ihe examination of solid rocks,
symi)athise with the walrus and the carpenter at se(un^'
such (piantities of sand. Solid rocks occur at Cape More-
ton, hut Cowan Cowan was too far away to allow of a
visit to this, and during- our trip we saAV no solid rock,
only sand. In spite of this the excursion Avas of consid-
erable geological interest, for Ave were examining what
must be among the highest sand-dunes in the Avorid-
Mt. Tempest, the highest point of the island, is. according
to the surA’ey map. 910 feet high, and is all sand, or at
any rate there is no indication of any solid rock on the
surface so far as we could see.

The topography of the island is very interesting, the
hills being A'ariable in outline and sometimes very steep;
the holloAvs both V-shaped valleys and Avide basins.

iSeen from the summits the V valleys give one the
impression of being the result of denudation, but a closer
examinatioji shows this not to be the ease, for there is
no evidence in the valley bottoms of anything in the
natnia* of a stream, Avhile many of the A'all'eys are 1)1 ind.
haA'ing no outlet. There AA'as no sign of water liaAung
ever collected, and the whole island, so far as Ave saw it,
ap])ears to act like a gigantic sponge absorbing all the
rain falling on it. This apparently oozes out to the mauA'
SAvamps near sea leAml at the margin of the island. At
loAv tide the Avater oozing from the beach is in many
places fresh or only slightly brackish. That the form of
the hills is frequently unlike the usual rounded dune is
probably duo to the Au^getation anchoring irregularly
Avhat otherwise Avould ha\'e been drifting sand.

HcA'eral loose fragments of a coarse silicibed sand-
stone were found, mostly haA'ing one side somewhat
rounded. It Avas suggested that these had probal)Iy been
brought there' by the aborigines for grinding fern roots.
Vo ])ossihle local origin for them Avas obseiwed and they
were formed of a much coarser sand than the sand
coin])r>sing the island.

A A'isit Avas ])aid to the sandy desert, an area of bare
sand, about half a mile S(piare, behind Tangaloorna light-
house. This is not('d for the ocenrenee of fulgurites,
some of which Ave Avere fortunate enough in obtaining.

Sept, 1924

The Queensland Naturalist.

93

Where the fulgurites are found the sand is somewhat
yellowish, stained by feruginous or other salts, and this
suggests itself as being a possible cause for the lightning
devoting particular attention to the one spot, on account
of greater conductivity or dampness. There are some
blackened remnants of vegetation showing that this area
had not always been the bare sand it is at present.

o

NOTES ON LAND VERTEBEATES.

By Ileber Longman.

When seen across the sun-lit waters of the Bay,
Moreton Island presents an interesting ])icture of white
sand alternating with green foliage. It was our pleasant
privilege to spend the few da3'S of Easter-time among
the dunes, swamps, and shores of this large island, sc
frequentl}^ seen but seldom visited. According to ofticia!
figures, Moreton Island is twent,v miles in length and
five miles broad at the noi-thern end, while the area is
given as LI. 760 acres. The height of Mount Tempest,
which slightly overtops adjoining ridges, is given as
910 feet, and those naturalists who climbed its steep
sides on a waiun day are not inclined to lessen the figure.

Cape Moreton, Moreton Island, and Moreton BaA^
form a triple homonymy associated Avith the explorations
of (Aok and Flinders. In May, 1770, (’aptain Cook
passed and named (.'ape Moreton, thinking it a prominence
of the mainland, and Avhen Flinders, twenty-nine .vears
later, fruind it to be a ]mrt of an island, he gave the
name to the whole area. To the aborigines tlie island was
knoAvn as “ Moorgnmpin/’ and according to (leorge
Watkins, who published an interesting account in the
Proceedings of the Ro.val Society of (Queensland for 1891,
the ‘‘Boorgaimmay’’ tribe, as the Moreton Islanders were
called, spoke a verv distinct dialect (GoAvar). He also
quotes Major Loek,ver’s ix'cord in a diary of 1828 of a
black dingo in Morel en Ba.v. At present there are no
Aborigines on Moreton Island, but we found around the
swamps scA'eral fragments of the large pounding-sTones,
which Avere used to crush the “bungwal.” the roots of
Blechnum serrulatum, a common article of food.

Sevei*al traces Avere seen of the Avild pigs, descended
from domesticated aTiimals introduced in earlier A'ears.
A complete skull was found, and Master Edwin Palmer
presented some fine tusks to the Queensland Museum.

94

The Queensland Naturalist.

Sept., 1924

The same lad also secured an interesting bat, Taphozous
flavivenlris, which is by no means common. The ventral
surface in this s]>eeimen was pure white. A skull of the
common '‘flying-fox,’^ Pteropus poliocephalus, was also
picked up, but as this large, winged mammal has consid-
erable powers of flight it was probably a visitor from the
mainland.

Mr. J. Edgar Young, who is doing some very useful
collecting for the Museum, tra])[)ed three specimens of
bufly-brown rats, allied to, but apparently distinct from
Rattus conatus of the mainland. These specimens were
all males, and it is hoped that females will be obtained
later, but the material represents an interesting addition
to the faiina of Queensland.

The writer obtained a live specimen of a carpet snake,
8 feet 8 inches in length, which looked as though its
island diet was somewhat meagre. This was an luuisual
variety of this eonimon and variable python, being light
brown, with somewliat regular dark cross-])ands. Xo
other snakes were seen.

Among the lizards ohiaiiied were live specimens of
the ‘‘Lance-head.” Lialis burtoni, a snake-like reptile
that usually ]>ays the penalty for its resemblance, and of
The common ‘‘Jew” or Rearded Lizard, Amphiholurus
barbatus. Both these lizards are common species and
exteiid from West Australia to the Queensland coast.

Diporophora australis, one of the smaller dragon
lizards, wavs also obtained, this being a common mainland
species. A single specimen was obtained of a small skink
in the Liole])isma groii]) of Lygosoma, and this is prob-
ably new to science, hut further materia! is necessary
before satisfactory work can be done. The same state-
ment ai)plies to a singles mutilated specimen oi Able-
pharus.

In IDlo, .Mr. W. W. McMillan, who was then stationer
at Moreton Island, forwarded a tiny, snake-like skink.
which proved to be the very rare Lygosoma truncatum.
This was descril)ed in ISTb as (’oloscincus truncatus by
Peters from a single specimen collected at Peel Island.
Moreton l^ay. rluring a visit of the tS.M.y. “Gazelle” of
the German* Xavy in 1875. A])parently only these two
specimens of this elusive lizard have been secured.

Tt is obvious from 1lie two or three distinctive species
noted above and from the presence of the unique “More-
ton Bay 8un-fish.” Rhadinocentrus ornatus. Tale Regan
(described elsewhere) that the fauna of this large island

Sept., 1924

The Queensland Naturalist.

9 S

will repay further .study. It is hoped that opportunities
will oeeiir later for more systematic collecting of the land
vertebrates. Although bandicoots are said to occur, none
have yet been obtained, and it is probable that any of the
larger marsu])ials that Avere isolated on the island in the
oast were exterminated by Aborigines.

0 —

NOTES ON A RABE ATHERINE (Rhadinocentrus
Ornatus) FOUND UPON MORETON ISLAND.

By Mrs. C. A. Messmer.

KnoAving- that the little known Rhadinocentrus ornatus
Avas discovered on Moreton Island in 1914 and then lost
sight of, I Avas pleased to have the opportunity of hunting
him u]> again, offered by the C’lulBs Easter camp out, if
he Avere still to be found there.

I found them in large numbers not only in the i)ond
originally mentioned, but also in many clear, swiftly-
running streams draining out of the SAvamps in the
vicinity of CoAvan ('owan lighthouse. I took them all
from that part of the str(*am which adjoins the brackish
Avaters draijiing out across the beach, but Avhich is still
fresh. This fish. Avhieh so far has ])roA^ed to b(‘ confined
to iMoreton Islajid alone, was discOAU‘red in 1914, Avhen
the six type specimens were accidentally eo 7 ne upon by
the late Mr. Ogilby amongst other tisli sent up l)y Mr.
Palmer of the signal station.

Three went into the Queensland Museum and Ihe
others to London, Avhere they Avere descr'bed by Tale
Regan. The <]eseri])tion refers only to the dimensh)ns.
and notliing wliatever is known of its life history or
habits, as a com]>lete gap exists betAveen its original dis-
covery and my finding it again at Easter, and until when
no live specinum had been seen by naturalists.

Being an extremely nervous and delicate fish 1 only
succeeded in getting nine home alive out of forty s])eei-
mens tak(‘n. They, IiOAvever, eontinue to thrive in the
aquarium, and one cannot help noticing their remarkable
rate of groAA'th, Avbich has been quite | inch in tAVo months,
Avhieh rate is innch greater than tliat of the young of
Melotaemia nigrans, the mainland Atherine, in any of
my tanks under similar conditions.

Xo adult specimens came to my net, the largest being
then about 1} inches long. The* fully matured fish is
3 or 4 inches long. The description gh^en by C. Tate-

96

The Queensland Naturalist.

Sept., 1924

Regan is a.s follows Depth of body, in the length.
Length of head 3^. Snout I diameter of eye. whieli is /
2-} in the length of the head and equal to the interobrital
width. JMouth oblique and lower jaw somewhat project-
ing, 33 to 35 scales in a longitudinal series and 8 or 9 in
a transverse oiie. Dorsal fin 4 spines, 11 soft rays. Anal
1 , 18-19' Though young, my .specimens are in excellent
colour showing clearly the characteristics of lln' adult
fish, viz.: — Main body colour, a pale iridescent bluish
silver, each scale betAveen the lateral line and dorsal
being margined Avith black, giving a latticed effect. Those
on the line itself froiin head to tail have much thicker and
darker edges, thus giving the appearance of 2 straight
black line.s. The scales beloAV the lateral line are ]iol
margined, shoAving merely scatter<‘d dark spots. The
disposition of the scales is in regular longitudinal roAVS.

A dark spot at the base of each soft ray of dorsal and
anal. Head olivaceous. All fins are orange margined
Avith black, the caudal being forked.

In comparison the mainland Atheidne (Melanotaemia
nigrans) has the head forming a fifth part of the length,
snout is flat. The diameter of the small eye is just equal
to the portion of the snout lying before it. ci.f., the short
snout of R. ornatus.

Fins, dorsal (1), 1 spine, 4 rays (2), 1. 12. Anal 1,
18. The scales are only 30 on the lateral line and 10
transversely.

Colouring most A^ariable as regards markings, they
sometimes being black and at others scarlet. An eA'en
stripe (red, or black) runs along the lateral line from the
base of the tail and is continued forAvard over Ihc gill
cover ripper half of the eye and sides of the snout. Some-
times the scales are bordered Avith black or red and at
others merelv sIioaa' dots. There are no markings hcloAA^
the line. The fins are usually colourless margined Avith
black.

This form of the mainland seems to be absent from
Moreton Island.

NOTE ON THE GENUS STIGMODEKA.

By L. Franzen.

At our -Inly meeting 1 exhibited a case of beetles
comprising thirty-fiAm species of the genus Htigmodera.
collected by me during the last season in the Brisbane
district. The species exhibited AA'ere: — S. gorei (. and

Sept., 1924

97

The Queensland Naturalist.

G.j S. affabiliR Kerr, S. i>oro8a Cart,. IS. deceminaculata
Kirby, S. riifipeniHs Kirby, JS. octospilota L. and G., S.
aeuticollis Cart., octomaculata Saunds., S. erythroptora
Bois.. S. nova. var. Kerr., H. nasuta >Saiiud., S. hablerae
Cart., 8. deeipiens Westw., H. distincta >Saiuid.. 8. jucnnda
Saiind., 8. andersoni C. & G., inaeulicollis Cart., 8. crenata
Dan., 8. puiictiventris 8annd.. 8. maenliventris MacL,
8. impressieollis Mael., 8. niiistelamajor Thoms., 8. analis
8aur]d.. 8. variabilLs Dan., 8. sanndersi Waterh., 8. pertyi
8annd., 8. stri»’ata C. and G., 8. deceptor Kerr, 8.
humeralis var. Kerr., 8. ])rodncta Saund., 8. disjecta Kerr,
8. acuminata Kerr, 8. bella 8aund., 8. g*entilis Kerr, 8.
seio’ullata Mael.

Of above listed si)ecies a fev' are worthy of special
comment. The pride of the season’s capture is a sin^’le
specimen of 8tigmodera macuUeollis, an extreme rarity,
taken on Hie dowers of a small stringy-bark tree at the
foot of One Tree Hill. 8. porosa, only described a few
years back by Mr. II. J. Carter, is still looked upon as a
rarity. A purple 8. variabilis, which T ca[)tared together
with several of the ordinary forms is a valuable acquisi-
tion to my collection. 8. hiimeralis var., nova var., and
hoblerae are by no means common. 8. mustelamajor is
a fairly well distributed beetle, but is nowhere common.
Of the remainder 8. gorei, im])ressicollis, and deeipiens
are probably the best.

0

LIST OF BUTTERFLIES COLLECTED OR OBSERVED
DURING EASTER EXCURSION TO MORETON

ISLAND, 1924.

By L. Franzen.

Danaida archipims, Fabricius; Danaida petilia, 8toll;
Danaida hamata, Maeleay; Danaida afhnis. Fabrieius;
Euploea corinna, i\Iacleay; Melanitis bankia, Fabrieius,
Melanitis bankia f. barnardi, Lucas; Ilypoeysta; adiante,
llubner; Precis villida. Fabrieius ; Ilypolimnas nerina, Fab-
riehis: Acraea aiidromaclia. Fabrieius; Candalides hyacin-
thina. Semper; Pseudodipsas brisbanensis, Waterhouse ami
Lyell; Thysanotis taygetus. Felder; Lampides damoetes
Fabrieius; Zizina labradus, Godart: Zizeeria alsnlus. Her-
rieh-Schaetfer ; Zizeeria Karsandra, Moore; Zizula attfui-
uata, Lucas; Theclinestho.s miskini, Lucas; Ogyris zozine,
Hewitson ; Ogyris olane, ILwitson; Delias nigrina, Fabri-
cius; Delias argenthona, Fabrieius; Delias nysa, L'abric-
ius; Appias ega, Boisduval; Catopsilia pyranthe, Linne;

98

The Queensland Naturalist.

Sept,, 1924

Catopwilia pomoiia, Fabrieius; Terias zoraide, Fabritdu.s;
Terias smilax, Dotiovan ; Terias siiljduirata, HutJer ;
Papilio aegeiis, Donovan; Papilio eapaneiis, Westwood;
Toxidia peroni, Latr.; Padraona .sunias, Felder; Padraona
hypomeloma. Lower; Telicota Kreffti, Macleay.

Of the species mentioned above, all arc common with
the exception of two Zizeeria alsulus and Psendodipsas
brisbanensis. The former I liad never previously cap-
tured in the Brisbane district, but found it I 0 be’ fairly
common at Rockhamjiton during a visit some little time
back to that centre. The latter is an exceedingly rare
butterfly, and up till the time of my captuia' on Moreton
Island of five males, only three specimens — two females
and one male — had been obtained in Queensland, These
were captured by Mr. B. lllidge many years ago. Ills
specimens formed the type of a new race, Pseudodipsas
myrmecophila illidgei, named by Waterhouse and Lyall.
I understand the type is in the Adelaide Museum.

■ 0

COLEOPTERA FOUND ON MORETON ISLAND
DURING THE EASTER ENCAMPMENT.

By Mrs. Ilobler.

Leaving South Brisbane by train for Wynnum on
the night of 17th April for the Easter encampment, we
were landed early next morning on Moreton Island.
This day was devoted to camp settlement and hunting in
the vicinity, the latter proving rather unsatisfactory,
and only specimens of two common varieties of weevik
were found. Even allowing for the lateness of the season
the very dry preceding years on tlie mainland had evi-
dently alfected the fauna of the island, as this summer
there had heeu a noted ahsence of Colcoptera throughout
Queeuslaud generally.

On the Saturday most of our party made the ascent
of Bound Hill, on the top of which during the war was
erected a look-out station with telephone communication
to CoM'an Cowaii. On the side of Bound Hill were many
small gum trees, some of which were flowering. On
testing those I secured three species of Paropsis, family
Ohrysomelidae. On a long blade of a grass tree was a
specimen of ITisteridae family, called ITololepta Sidnensis.
evidently out to enjoy the warmth of the sun. as their
usual habitation is in the segments of the trunk of the
above trees. During the return journey T took two s].>eci-
mens of Cisseis 12-maeulata, family Bnprestidae. on

Sept, 1924

The Queensland Naturalist.

99

leaves of a similar tree, Avhile 011 the common fern was
obtained a sin^'le specimen of Cissois marmoratus. Fron'
a collector of the party I am indebted for a specimen ot
Cerambyeidae (liesthesis ornata), a curious ]onj>-icorn
of transparent wings, which to the uninitiated could
easily be mistaken for a Avasp.

From one of those who made the trip to Tangalooma
I Avas kindly giA'^en a pair of (bcindelidac, or AAdia.t is
commonly knoAvn as a tiger beetle. Mr. Illidge tells me
that to his knoAvledge this is the first time 1 his beetle has
been found so far north, its usual habitation being the
coast of NeAV South Wales.

Though the collecting proved so poor T am quite of
the opinion that during tlie hotter months in a good season
Coleoptera should be fairly plentiful on this Avonderful
island, as doAvering shrubs seem to be abundant.

List of Beetles.

Cicindela upsilon (Tangalooma *'sand lake.’' the
usual Queensland coast s])ecies is C. albicans), Cyelojio-
turn mastersi, Hololcpta sidnensis, Telephorus nobilitatus,
<Edemeridae sp. (?), ('hromomoea fusca, Syraphyletes
compos, (Jisseis duodecim maeulata, Fisseis marmorata,
Automolus Si)., Edusa sp.. Paro])sis brunnea, Paropsis
variolosa, Paropsis species, Hesthesis ornata, Leptops
fasciatus, Mylocerus species (?), PolAqAhrades species,
Belus semi-punctatus, Orthorrhinus cylindrirostris Khin-
aria signifera. 0

BIRD LIFE AT COWAN COWAN, MORETON ISLAND,
EASTER, 1924.

By Miss Hilda Geissmann.

Bird life at CoAvan FoAvan during the recent Caiiii)-
Out Avas on the AAdiole disappointing. Though many bird
notes could be heard, nearly all Avere from the noisy Avee
throats of the little BroAvn Honey-eaters. These lively
birds Avere numberless, and made a delightful and melod-
ious clatter, as they feasted among the Banksia blooms.
Bathing time in the pools beneath the tea trees aa^s also
a time of riotous Avhistling and singing A\nth these brown
sprites. Flashing in and out of the Avater, they Avere
almost too quick for the eye to folloAV, but the whirring
vAungs made a pleasing accompaniment to the gay whistles
and tuneful trills of the bathers.

The AAdiite-cheeked honey-eaters Avere fairly numerous
also; their clear, double note could easily be distinguished
among the many calls of the BroAAm Honey-eater.

100

The Queensland Naturalist

Sept., 1924

YelloAV wings Avere there, too, but I saw only a few of
them.

Other birds noted were mostly in pairs or alone, with
the exception of swallows, leather heads, blue mountain
parrots, barred-shouldered doves, sea-gulls, and terns.
These appeared in small flocks. One wedge-tailed eagle,
two Avhivstling eagles (seen at different times), and one
Avhite-bellied sea eagle; several crows, a kookaburra, a
forest kingfislier, and a sAvamp pheasant Avere noted.
Also tAvo pairs of rufous Avhistler, sevt'ral Avillie wags, and
one AAdiite-shafted fantail ; a pair of <piail and several
mistletoe birds. I shav three times, in different |)laces, a
bird unknoAvn to me. Tt looked something like the hooded
robin illustrated in * ‘ Leach, but T eouldnff see any
white on the wings, and its notes Avere very like a fly
catcher's. Tt had a habit of Avagging its tail uj) and
doAvn, not from side to side. Other birds seen by different
members of the party Avere drongos, bee-eaters, and white-
shouldered caterpillar-eaters, Avhich brings the total num-
ber up to 27 different species seen on the island and its
shores during our four days A'isit there. BeloAV is the
list : —

]. Wedge-tailed Plagle — Lroaetus audax.

2. Whistling Eagle — Haliastur sphenurus.

3. White-bellied Sea Eagle^ — Ilaliaetus leucogaster.

4. CroAv — ('orA'us coronoides.

5. SAvam]) Pheasant — Centropus })liasianus.
b. Kookaburra-- Tfacelo gigas.

7. Forest Ivingtisher— Halcyon maeleayi.

8. (^)uail — Not sure Avhich one.

9. Friar Bird -Trii)idorliynehus corniculatus.

10. Little Leather Head— Philemon citreogularis.

11. BroAvn llon<*y-eater — Stigmalops ocularis.

12. White (lieeks- — Meliornis sericea.

13. Y elloAV Wings — Meliornis Xovallollandiae.

14. Willie Wag— Rhii)idura motacilloides.

If). (Va/y Fan — Rhi])idura allpseapa.

16. Barred Shonldeiaal Dove — Geoimlia hnmeralis.

17. Blue Mountain Parrot— Trichoglossus swainsoni.

18. Rufous W^histler— Paehycephala rnfiventris.

19. Mistletoe Bird — Dicacum hirnndinacenm.

20. WAdcome SavhHoaa^ — Hirundo neoxena.

21. Bee-eater — Mero])s ornatns.

22. Drongo — (luhia ])raeteata.

23. AVhite S. (^ater])illar-Eater — Campcphaga hnmeralis.

24. Fairy Tern — Sternnla nereis.

25. Black-capped Tern — Sterna hergii.

26. Gull — Lanis novae hollandiae.

27. Hooded Robin — Melanodryas bicolor.

PRICE 1/.

VOL. IV., No. 6 . NOVEMBER, 1924

Queen$lana naturalist

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nature-covers^ Ceague.

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The Author of each Article is responsible for the Statements
expressed therein.

CONTEXTS ;

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Proceedings lOi

Annual Wild Flower Show ... ... ... i02

Geological Notes Taken on Enoggera Excursion I06
Earliest Descriptions of Australian Animals ... 107

The Eucalypts of the Brisbane District T09

The Blue-Faced Lorilet II3

Note Accompanying Exhibit 115

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Official J ournal — The Queensland NaturaUsi.

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V ice- Presidents :

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Hon, Secretary :

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Cbe Queensland naturalist

JOURNAL OF THE gUEENSLAND NATURALISTS* CLUB
AND NATURE-LOVERS’ LEAGUE.

Voi.. IV. November, 1924 No. 6 .

PROCEEDINGS.

August — October, 1924.

EVENING MEETING, 18tli AUGUST, 1924.— Mr. R.
L. Higgins (past president) occupied the chair, and there
was a good attendance of members and visitors.

In making a. presentation on behalf of the Club to Mr.
J. C. ymith Oil the occasion of his marriage, the Chairman
voiced the appreciation of members for Mr. Smith’s three
years' hard work as honorary secretary. Mr. R. TUidg'e
read an interesting paper on the fig parrot (Opopsitta
coxeni). Mr. Illidge is one of the few remaining ornitho-
logists who knew that bird in its native habitat. The fig
parrot, never a com'mion bird, was mostly seen in pairs
on the big fig trees in coastal jungles. The bird i.s very
rarely observed to-day, and seems doojued, together with
the paradise parrot, to extinction. A specimen of the bird,
shot over forty years ago (and stillj in fine preservation),
was exhibited. Mr. R. L. Higgins .spoke of the ground
parrot. He had recently flushed some of the birds in the
Wolvi district, but tliey wei'c reported to be getting very
scarce. Dr. A. Eland Khaw. F.E.S.. exhibited a ease con-
taining males, females, larvae, and egg cases of a cock-
roach ( Supella supellectiliiim Serville) found in most
parts of the world, but recorded for the first time from
Queensland. An interesting paper on “lightning," Avith
photographs of the effect on trees struck, was forwarded
by Mr. C. Dornbnseh, of Wnrwick. and read l)y Mr. G. IL
Barker. In the discussion that ensued some freakish
effects of the vagaries of liglitning wore recounted by
Dr. Marks, Messrs. Nebe, Young, and Francis. The ap-
parent Immunity of pine trees from lightning was com-
mented on. Notes on a water rat that invaded a dwelling”
were sent by :\Trs. S. (kirtis, Albert River. Mrs. Smith

102

The Queensland Naturalist.

Nov., 1924

exhibited a spider with eg^-baj^s, and Mr. Franzen a num-
ber of chrysalis butterflies. Mr. G. H. Barker recorded a
list of birds from the Mitcdielton district, where starlings
appear to be largely on the increase. The bird has been
recently removed from the pest list, but the speaker pre-
dicted that it would not be long before it was back on the
black list, owing to its rapid increase and mischievous
habits. Mrs. Hobler exhibited specimens of the pronged
seed cases of a species of Martynia, a commonly natura-
lised plant on parts of the Darling Downs. The particular
specimen exliibited was taken from the wool of a vSheep.

o

ANNUAL WILD FLOWER SHOW.

SATT^RDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING, 27th
September, 1924.

The president of the dub (Professor E. J. Goddard,
D.Sc.), in opening the show, stated that a great deal of
gratitude was owing to the Queensland Naturalists' (dn’o
for the wonderful display of wild flowers. About it was
an intensely Australian atmosphere, and the exhibition
was typically Australian. The native flora and fauna
formed a subject for one of the most interesting of
studies. Great credit was due to the club for the educa-
tional work in encouraging a love of wild flowers in Ihe
State Schools.

Daring the evening his Plxcelleney the Governor (Sir
Matthew Nathan ) attended, and spent a considerable time
inspecting the exhibits. The president extended a cordial
welcome to the Governor. In his response, his Excellency
stated Australia was fortunate in having so many flowers
properly belonging to it. The natural beauties of any
country had iPiways to fight against the indifference of
the bulk of the country’s adhlts — an indifference which
arose from familiarity. On the other hand, children
had a strong appreciation of natm'al beauties. The object
of such exhibitions wa.s to make permanent the love of
the flowers of the country.

There were tAventy-one entries for the Schools’ com-
petition. as compared with eighteen last year, and the
judges (Prof. E. J. Goddard and Mr. (\ T. White) found
considerable difficulty in awarding first prizes. The
schools successful in obtaining first prizes for their re-

Nov., 1924

The Queensland Naturalist.

103

spective districts at the Aiiinial Flower Show of the
Queensland Naturalists’ Club were: — North Coast (Mul-
let Creek), South Coast (Canungra), the Granite Belt
(Stanithorpe), and Downs and Inland (Googa Creek, via
Blackbutt).

Particularly close runners-up for first prizes were
Yandina and Brown’s Creek in the Nortli Coast division,
Beechmont Lower and Runcorn in the South Coast divi-
sion, and Ballandean and Tliiilimbah in the Granite Belt.
The schools coming within the Downs and Inland division
all ran very close to one another, and the prize,
after due consideration hy the judges. was
aAvarded to the Googa Creek School near Black-
butt, an area with a flora midway between the
coastal and Downs, containing types of both floras.
Owing to the circular instructions issued schools, and also
printed in “The Education Office Gazette,” the flowens
this year arrived from the schools in far better condition
than last year. There would seem no doubt that the
State Schools competitions at the Annual Wild Flower
Shows run under the auspices of the Queensland Natura-
lists’ Club are of educational value to the children, and
early teach them powers of observation, inculcating a
love for Queensland’s beautiful wild flower flora.

The Committee of the Club desire to thank all
teachers who encouraged their children to enter for the
competitions, as quite apart from the competitions the
State Schools exhibits themiselves, are now always a
feature of the Wild Flower Shows looked forward to by
the public and help to make the Shows the decided suc-
cess they have proved in the past.

Though held late in the spring, there was a good
showing of wild flowers frofm! different parts of the
country. One of the outstanding features of the exhi-
bition was a beautiful display of wild flowers gathered
from' places along the Albert River and staged by Mr. and
Mrs. S. Curtis, This display owed much to the energy
of Mr. D. Curtis, who spared no pains in getting together
the very fine collection shown. The flora of Tambourine
Mountain was again well represented, and the fine col-
lection of orchids and other flowers staged l)y Miss IT.
Geissmann was a great attraction to the public. An
exhibit of great educationalj value staged by Miss Geiss-
mann Avas a series of photographs illustrative of the
Tambourine Mountain, “Zamia” (Macrozamia Denisoni).

104

The Queensland Naturalist.

Nov., 1924.

The flora of Moreton Bay. with its Boronias. large ground
Orchids (Phaiiis), and ofher dowers was well represented
through tlie efforts of Mr. T. ^Velsby and Mr. II. B.
Ilamilton. Wild dowers from the neighhoiiriiood of Bris-
bane were shown by Mrs. W. Smith.

Victoria was conspicuous by the several sj>ecies of
wattle brightening up her exhibit. The waratah—emblem
of New South Wales — was the dominant feature in that
State's collection. Among 30 different species exiiibited
by the New South AVales Naturalists’ (dub were Flannel-
flowers and the rubescent Native Bose. Western Aus-
tralia was represented by a nice showing, prominent be-
ing “everlastings” from the Darling River, near Perth.
About 30 different species came from South Australia,
Eucalypts. several si)eeies of Orevillea and Tetralheea
being features.

Paintings and Photographs. — ^A fine collection 01
water-colour studies of native flora was exhibited by Mr.
A. a. stark.

An exhibition of 70 hand’-painted photographs of
Queensland flora, taken and coloured from original
flowers, was sliOAvn by Mr. R. L. Higgins. Deserving of
high praise was the collection of photographs of native
flora hy Messrs. AV. (1. and R. Harvey, of Maekay.
Mr. D. W. Gaukrodger’s natural history photographs.
niiml)ering 30 or more, attracted a great deal of attention.
Each ]diotogra]>h told its story of ])atience and deter-
mination in waiting a favourable o]>portnnity to pboto-
grajdi tlie timid birds of the Avild in their natural hauuls.

Entomology. — Two show cases of butterflies were
exhiltited by ^Ir. lllidge.

Conchology. — A notewortliy dis])lay of shells col-
lected from Moreton Bay and adjacent beaches was
staged by Mr. J. H. Simraonds.

Zoology.— An interesting zoological table, arranged
by the (-Queensland Museum under the supervision of the
Director. Avas a distinctive feature of the exliibition.

Geology.— The (Queensland Geological Survey Avas
responsible for an attractive display of iminerals rejjre-
sentative of the mineral Avealtli of the State. The display
Avas arranged by the Dejiuty (’hief Government (Geologist
(Mr. L. r. Ball), assisted by Ms. S. R. L. Shet)lierd.

General. — Artifieuil flo Avers of exiiuisite Iteauty,
made by the natives of Brazil Avere sIioaaui by Mr. W. Ih
Alexander.

105

Nov., 1924 The Queensland Naturalist.

EVP]XJXG MEETTXCr, 2()th 0(’T0BEK, 1924.— Pro-
fessor E. J. Goddard presided, and there was a ^ood at-
tendance of members and visitors. Mr. AV. D. Francis
(Assistant Government Botanist) delivered a lecturette
on ‘^Buttressed Trees of the Queensland Rain-forests.^’

The origin of plank buttresses in rain-forest trees
had recently been the subject of investi«'ation by the
lecturer, and the deductions he had drawn were con-
tained in a paper recently prii}ted in the “ Proceedin^-s
of the Royal Society of Queensland.” In rain-forests
the absence of much direct sunlight on the soil surface
and the fertility of the humus, containing upper layers
of the soil, both tend to develop the surface roots. Owing
to the high humus content of the surface soil and its
avidity for oxygen, oxygenation of the sub-soil is re-
tarded, and this acts still further towards the develop-
ment of an extensive surface root system. The lecturer
contended it would appear that in those cases where
buttresses have been evolved the upper parts of the prin-
cipal surface roots have acquired an aerial character, and
are subjected to .some of the conditions operating in
stems. The ])erpendicular elongation of the stems is a
very profmiinent characteristic of the trees of tropical
and sub-tropical rain forests, and is attributed to the
attractive agency of ligtht, acting in conjunction with
the normal upward growth in opposition to gravity. The
upper parts of the principal surface roots in buttressed
species may be affected by the same conditions, and in
this way the perpendictilar extension which constitutes
buttresses may arise. The adaptation of roots to an aerial
environment is facilitated by the high relative humidity
of the air and the exclusion of a* great amount of direct
sunlight in rain forests. These two conditions there-
fore are probably factors of considerable importance in
the production of buttresses.

Alessrs. Geissmann, (’urtis, Young, AA^hite, Dr. E. 0.
Marks, and the President discussed the address.

Airs. C. A. Alessmer exhibited several orchids from
the Xational Park, ATacpherson Range, and a flowering
spray of dlelmholtzia glaberrima, a most beautifuj: native
flowering i)Iant of flag-like growth, found along the
watercoures of the higher parts of the Alaepherson Range.
Air. J. E. A'oung exhibited a pot of Sarcochilus Ilart-
manni, in full flower. The plants Avere obtained in the
Xational Park, Alaepherson Range, and rex)resented a

I06

The Queensland Naturalist.

Nov., 1924:

much smaller form than the avera^'C. Mr. Yonnjj a\so
exhibited specimens of a liverwort (Marc-hantia) found
^rowin^’ on burnt -over peat swamps on Stradbroke Island.
Mr. L. Franzen exhibited s])ecimens of a moth parasitic on
Platybraeliys leueosti^mia, Walk. Mr. D. Curtis exhibited
(a) specimens of some beetles and (b) specimens of the
Lycaenid Paralucia pyrodiscus, and recorded the fact
that is was fairly counmon on the sides of Tambourine
Mo untaiji.

A letter by Mr. Dornbusch, of Warwick. suj>*^a‘stin^-
the rhythmic basis of matter, was read by the acting’
Honorary JSecretary.

0

GEOLOGICAL NOTES TAKEN ON THE ENOGGERA
EXCURSION.

By Dr. E. 0. Marks.

The Eno^’^-era reservoir is situated on. or very close
to the western boundary of the Enn^^^-era "Tanite intrusion
(crossed by the road from town). Opportunity was taken
to traverse the country (Brisbane schists) lyin^^ between
the Eno^'^era and the Samford ^’ranite areas. The road
was taken which follows the divide between the head-
waters of the Eno^o-era Creek and l^pper Kedron Brook,
and leads up lu^'h ridfi'es ])ast McAfee's farm and the old
Perseverence (h)ld Mine, until, from a considerable ele-
A’ation. one suddenly looks down over the wide Hamford
basin.

The contrast in scenery liere is very striking'.
It coincides witii tin* chaii^-e from S(*hist to <.*Taiiite. the
boundary of which we met with at the foot of the moun-
tain. near Camj) Mountain Quarry. In other jdaces, ^js
shown by ])revions ohser\'at ion, the boundary is on the
sides of the hills enclosing' the basin,

Ther(i was little indication in the schists traversed
of the ]>roximity of two lar^'e ^’ranite intrusions.

No apophyses were observed (though these do occur)
and the contact metamorphism is very slight. It is
highly probable that the old lYrseverance and other
mineral bodies in the vicinity owe their origin to the
intrusions.

At Mi'Afee's farm the usual poor soil of tlie schist
country is replaced by a richer soil, due to the fact that
the schist here is an altered basic rock, similar to that a
little further on, on which the Mountain Camp banana
farms are situated.

Nov., 1924

The Queensland Naturalist.

10/

THE EARLIEST DESCRIPTIONS OF AUSTRALIAN

ANIMALS.

Resume of Lecturette by Mr. W. B. Alexander, M.A.

The speaker gave an interesting account of the early
history of our knowledge of the Australian fauna from
the time of the first Australian discovery of Australia in
]606 to Governor Phillip's administration (1791), The first
authentic account of the occurrence of any form of life
on the Australian continent was by the commander of
the Dutch vessel, the Duyfken, who in 1606 sailed down
the western coast of the Cape York Peninsula, which
he described as barren country inhabited by wild blacks,
a party of whom killed several of his crew.

In 1626 an expedition was equipped in Holland for
the East Indies, under the command of Commodore
Francis Pelsart. Pelsart ’s boat, the “Batavia,” was
driven out of her course, and on the night of the 4th
June. 1629, was wrecked on tlie islands of IToutman
Abrolhos. Pelsart with eight men succeeded in reaching
Batavia in one of the ship’s boats and returned to rescue
Ihe remainder of the castaways. Pelsart ’s journal is of
interest to students of Australian zoology as it eontaijis
the first detailed descrintioii of an Australian marsupial,
a very complete description of a species of wallaby being
given.

The first Englishman to set foot on Australian soil
Avas William Dampier in 1688. After the ])iih]ication of
the account of his voyage he was sent in 1699 by William
III. in the “Roebuck,” under an admiralty commission
to make further explorations on the north-west coast.
Dampier took back to Euro]>e a more eompltde account
of the birds, animals, lisiu's, and plants of ilie country
Ihan any of his contemporaries. It is worthy of note
that some of Dam})ier’s specimens are still preserved at
Oxford T Diversity. His aecount of his voyage was
illustrated by figures of si'vera! birds, fish, and plants
found on the coast of New Hollaud.

In 1696, between Dam])ier’s two voyages, Ooimnander
Willem de Vlaming was ordered by the Dutch East India
Company to carefully explore the western coast of Aus-
tralia. De Vlaming discovered the Swan River, and took-
baek to Batavia two live sj)ecimei]s of the then fabulous
Black Swan,

Following the Dutch navigators the French showed
some activity, and Sonnerat’s journal of his voyage to

The Queensland Naturalist.

Nov., 1924

108

New Guinea is of interest to ornithologists, as it contains
the first published figure of the Laughing Jackass or
Kookaburra.

The years 1769 to 1779 are noteworthy as being the
years of Captain Cookes three voyages to the South Seas.
In his first voyage Captain Cook was accompanied by
Mr. Banks, afterwards Sir Joseph Banks, the eminent
president of the Royal Society, and a wealthy patron of
science, who took with him Dr. Solander, a distinguished
naturalist, two draughtsmen, and a staff of servants to
assist in collecting. Very full collections and a large
number of drawings were made, but for some reason not
yet definitely known the accounts of these collections and
the accompanying plates were never published during
Banks’s lifetime. On the second voyage Cook was accom-
panied by the elder Forster, a well-known naturalist,
and on the third voyage Surgeon W. Anderson acted in
this capacity.

After the formation of the settlement at l*ort
Jackson in 1788, specimens of Australian birds and ani-
mals were sent to England by almost every returning
boat. The most enthusiastic collector was John "White,
surgeon of the colony, whose journal of his voyage to
New South Wales was published in 1790. Nearly half the
book consists of appendices on the flora and fauna with
many illustrations and descriptions by Dr. George Shaw,
of tiie British Museum, and other English naturalists.
The previous year a book conotaining various official
papers and miscellaneous documents had been published
in London under the title of The Voyage of Governor
Phillip to Botany Bay. This work contains numerous
pictures of Australian birds and animals, with brief
descriptions, mostly by Dr. John Latham, the famous
ornithologist.

The lecture was illustrated by slides prepared from
the illustrations in the books mentioned, also from
Latham’s General Synopsis of Birds, and Shaw and
Nodder’s Naturalists’ Miscellany, works which were
appearing at the time of the Port Jackson settlement.
Amongst the species figured prior to 1792 were the
following well-knoAvn creatures : — Kangaroo, (Common
Opossum, Ringtail Opossum, Native (’at, Dingo, and
Porcui)ine Anteater, White (’ockatoo. Black Cockatoo,
Kookaburra. Sacred Kingfisher, Blue Wren, Bronzewing
pigeon. White-fronted Heron, Black Swan, and Emu;
Goanna, Blue-tongued Lizard, and Port Jackson Shark.

Nov., 1924

The Queensland Naturalist.

109

THE EUCALYPTS OR GUM TREES OF THE
BRISBANE DISTRICT.

By C. T. White, F.L.S., Government Botanist.

IT.

(Continued from ^‘Queensland Naturalist,” Vol. TV.,

p. 72.)

I. — Eucalyptus salig-na (Flooded Gum.)

Description. — A liaiid.some tree, with a large straiglit
bole, bark per.sisteiit on the lower part of the tree, lower
bark somewhat .spongy, u|)per bark leathery, or of almost
parchment-like texture, hanging in loug- thin ribbon, s,
leaving the greater part of the trunk staiooth and shining,
white, green, or reddish. Toppice (“sucker”) leaves dark
green above, paler beneath, broadly oAmte to ovate-laneeo-
late, commonly but not always oblique at the base, taper-
ing to a long acute point at the apex, i)etiolate, jictiole
(leaf-stalk), j-1 inch long, blade or lamina up to 8 in. long,
and up to 3in. broad. Ordinary (secondary or adult)
leaves lanceolate, straight or slightly falcate, usually
oblique at the ba.se ; the upper part tapering to a long
acute apex, petiolate, petiole |-1 inch long, blade 4-7 in.
long, 1-1| inches wide, midrib distinct, main lateral
nerves, oblique somewhat irregular, mostly about ] in.
apart, reticulations fine and fairly distinct in the dried
leaf, intramarginal vein fairly distinct very close to the
edge. Flowers in .simF)le heads in the axils'of liu* leaves,

3- 8 flowers in a head, peduncle flattened 3-4 lines long!
Calyx tube narrow-turbinate, 2-4 lines long, oiu'rculum
conical, scarcely as long as the calyx-tube. kStamens 2-3
lines long, anthers ovate with parallel cells opening hy a
longitudinal slit. Seed cajjsules broadly turbinate, about;

4- 5 lines long. 3 lines broad at the mouth, the rim narroAv,
slightly raised along the calyx border, cai>stile slightly
sunk, valves more or less protruduig.

Di'’tribution. — In the Brisbane district this sneeies is
found only on rich alluvial flats near Ferny Grove (Day-
boro Line), and here and there along Kedron Brook.
It extends as far north as the Atherton Tableland in
blorth Queensland, and as far south as the m'ig'hbour-
hood of the (lyde Hiver in New South Wales.

no

The Queensland Naturalist.

Nov., 1924

Botanical Name. — Eiiealy])lns, from the two Greek
words, “eii” well, and “kalypto” T cover, in allusion to
the little cap or operenlum of the flower bud. which acts

A (Iroiip of Flnoded (nuns (K. I'rinihouriiie Mountain.

Ph(jta by A 11. Chisholm.

as a lU’otection to the essential jiarts of the flowers, and
is tlirown off as these reach maturity; “saligna,’^ Latin,
signifying* pertaining to a willow, unfortunately not a
very apiiro])riate specific name.

f*ffV

Nov., 1924

The (Queensland Natur^ilist.

iir

A Fine Specimen of tlie Moreton I’ay Ash (E. tessellaris), Hribie island.
Photo by Prof. E H. Wilson, Arnold Arboreium, BosHni, U.S.A.

112

The QueenslanH Naturalist.

Nov., 1924

Common Names. — Tn Queensland almost nniversally
known as “Flooded In Nom' South Wales most

eommonly known as “BlnO Uum/' a vernaeular a])plied
in Queensland most frequently to F. tereticornis.

Timber. — A ^^eneral pur}>ose timber for building use.

Botanical Reference.— E. sali< 4 na (Snfith) in Trans.
Linn. Soe. Vol. III., p. 2Hb, 1797.

2. — Eucalyptus tessellaris (Moreton Bay Ash).

Description. — A larjre tree often of very graceful ap-
pearance, bark on the lower part of the trunk persistent,
black and irre^'ularly, but markedly, tessellated, up])er
part of trunk smooth and shinino'. Leaves narrowly
lanceolate, midrib prominent, lateral nerves very promi-
nent and close too:ether. petiolate, iietoile about J inch
lonji*, blade 1-5 inches lon^', ]-2 inch wide. Flowers ar-
raufred in ire^u'ar small, lateral or auxiliary panicles, the
upper ones or those on short lateral branches often form-
ing comparatively ]arj>*e compound panicles. Calyx tube
turbinate, d lines lon^, includino- the slender ])edicel;
operculum very short, convex of rather thin texture.
Stamens 2-3 lines lon^, anthers narrow-oblorifi- with
parallel distinct cells openinjr by longitudinal slits. Seed
capsules oblou;.>‘, of rather thin texture, 5-6 lines Ion" and
about 3 lines broad, capsule deeply sunk, 3-celle<l.

Distribution. — Fairly common in the Brisbane district
and not confined to any one locality or "eolo^ical forma-
tion. It is one of the most widely distributed S]H‘cies in
Eastern Australia, extending northwards to the Gulf
country fNorth Queen.slaud) aud southwards to Howell in
New South Wales. It is common on the coast, but ex-
tends inland for about 300 miles.

Botanical Name. — Eucalyptus (see under No. 1),
tessellaris, from the Latin “tessella,"’ a small square or
piece of stone, a little cube for pavement, etc., referring
to the hark being cut up into a nuimiber of tessellations.

Common Names.— In Queensland almost universally
known as “Moreton Bay Ash”; in New South Wales
known either as “Moreton Bay Ash” or “('arbeen,”
though in Queensland this latter name is applied almost
■exclusively to E. Papuaua.

Timber. — A hard brown timber not much cut; used
for miscellaneous purposes.

Botanical Reference. — E. tessellaris (F. v. Mueller)
in floiirn. Lmn. Soc. (London), Vol 111., p. 88. 1859.

Nov., 1924.

The Queensland Naturalist.

113-

THE BLUE-PACED LGRILET, ALSO CALLED
COXEN’S FIG PARRAKEET.

(Opopsitta coxeni, Gould.)

By R. Illidge.

In Nature Notes, by J. O’Neill Brenan (“Daily Mail“
for 9th August, 1924), my name is mentioned as being one
of those who had seen living examples of this parrakeet
in its native habitat.

Hence I feel compelled to substantiate Mr. Brenan 's
remarks as to this fig-eating lorilet, and add my own
very meagre knowledge regarding its habits as described
by him. A specimen of the bird (stuffed skin) was ex-
hibited by me at one of our own 'mieetings some years
ago, and remarks on the rarity of the species made, but
do not appear to have been recorded. On a previous
occasion I had shown skins of the Paradise Parrot, under
name of Beautiful Grass Parrakeet, and made remarks
as to the approaching extinction of that superb species.
Coxen’s Lorilet was never a common species, but the
Paradise Parrot was about 40 years or more back. The
latter is, despite the find of a few specimens in a certain
district of Queensland, on the verge of complete extinc-
tion. The Lorilet is fast following in its wake, as I will
show later on.

Mr. Gregory Matthews, in his splendid new work
on the “Birds of Australia,” beyond the description and
figures of the birds, male and fdnuale, has no information
regarding same, except that “small flocks of them had
been seen outside a scrub, aud some were shot to make
a pudding. ” Now T cannot imagine anyone shooting these
tiny parrots for such a purpose. Tihe Little Tjorikeet
(Glossopsitta pusilla), is a bird of the open forest, flies in
small companies and is usually abundant when enealypts
are in bloom, it has been mistakeri 'for the hg ])arrot'

The Blue-faced Lorilet has been shot by me uoav over
40 years ago, when collecting bii^d skins was a craze and
a companion was a nuisance. However, when T obtained
w'hat T desired, generally about six, aud of these four
males and two females, my wants were satisfied. T had
no exchanges that T can remember. They were first seen
by me in the Brookfield and Lnog’gera scrubs, especially

114

The Queensland Naturalist.

Nov., 1924

the first named, wlmre T "ot my first specimen, a novelty
indeed. They were also seen by me on rare occasions in
the D’Ajiuilcir Kanjie, as also the Blackall Kanjxe. where
I met with them in January of 1870; likewise at Gympie
in the FishermarGs Pocket, a favourite resort of the town
sportsmen for pigeon sliooting. Here were some fine fig-
trees, wliich when in fruit were fretpiented by great
flights of top-knot i)igeons (locally knowh as flock
pigeons) and others. Attracted by the fruit these
ting Loribds were also occasionally seen feeding
amongst them, and that they were these birds was not
doubtful, for a relation of mine whilst with me shot one,
and I showed him how to prepare the skin.

The home of this Lorilet was in the great fig trees
of the dense jungles, chiefly of the coast ranges. It never
resorted to the more open forest so far as known to me.
Amongst the several species of these giant fig trees
there were always some in fruit all tihrough the year, hence
no scarcity of food could affect it. From dissections made
on those shot it appears to have pecked out the very
young l)uds of the fig trees, but whether a» food may be
considered doubtful, for like parrots in general, it pro-
bably had the bad habit of nibbling at most things, pos-
sibly inadvertently swallowing small i)ieces. Tt may also
eat other fruits, although dissection did not reveal such
to he a fact.

These parrots were never seen by me as “fairly
numerous,’^ for they usually appeared in the fig trees in
pairs, and did not arrive in small flocks, though one
might see perhaps half-a-dozen in one tree, but it would
need an extremely careful search to find even that number.
The best ]>lan in searching is to get down on your back 011
the ground, for the strain of looking up into one of these
great trees, perliaps not less than 200 feet uj), is far from
pleasant. I used frequently to earry a small pocket teles-
cope.

The future of the Lorilet is very i>recarious. In the
Blaekall Range the scrubs are disappearing yearly at an
enormous rate, and with them must go these little birds,
as also most others. The same is occurring with the scrubs
of the D 'Aguilar Range. All those T knew at Gympie
are down, and the greater })art of tlie Brookfield long
since disappeared. Hence it is im|)robable tliat its lull
life history will ever be known.

Nov., 1924

The Queensland Naturalist.

II5

NOTE ACCOMPANYING EXHIBIT.

By Dr. A. Eland Shaw, F.E.S.

Snpella supellectillium Serville: A Cockroach not before
Recorded for Australia.

This Cockroach wan described by Leville in 1839, and
is now to be found in most parts of the world. It has
not hitherto been recorded from Australia, but specimens
in my collection point to a wide distribution in Queens-
land. My earliest examples came in 1915, throujih Mr.
Les Kelly, fi'om the Lower Burdekin district, and in 1917-
19 Dr. J. P. Illingw’orth took it on one of the coasting
boats and at Cairns, Clordonvale, and Mosman, N.Q. My
own records are from the Brisbane district, where in 1918
I first found it in fmy house at Wynnum; and subse-
quently very numerously in several other houses there;
and now I take odd specimens at Goodna. Some houses
in Wynnum are heavily infested, and both sexes occa-
sionally fly into lionses at night. 8. snjxdlectlliuin Serv.
occurs as a domestic insect in company with the common
Blattella germanica Linn, and seems capable of even
more rapid multiplication than that s]}ecies. Its spread
over Australia generally is to be expected.

0

Water Rats. — Some few weeks ago a Avriter in the
'‘Courier'’ stated Water liats never left the water. Tliey
may not do so in some places, bnt here we found them
very partial to ducks and fowls, coming up from a small
waterhole to the pens and helping themselves. One winter
I Avas puzzled to knoAv Ayhat got into my kitchen. The
thing AAmiild get on the table and eat anything that might
be there, and Avas especially fond of meat; it Avould drink
milk and would leave some very dirty i)lates Avlien it had
finished. I shut doAvn the windows and still the thief got
in. One cold morning I was sitting at the stove knitting,
and ever.Adhing Avas quiet, and frotm under the dresser
came an ugly black head looking round, tlien out came
a large AA^ater rat. climbed up on the flour bin, and began
helping himsesif to the milk that Avas in the bucket. As
soon as I moved he Avtent like a flash. We found he had a
small hole in the floor he came through (the kitchen floor
Avas near the ground.) We succeeded in catching him one

Il6

The Queensland Naturalist.

Nov., 1924

morning. Then we had a good look at him and let him
go, then closed his hole, so his lordship had to hunt
further for his food. This sounds like a fairy tale, but it
is quite true. — (Mrs. S. Curtis, Albert River, S.Q.)

0

A New Rotifer.— At the October meeting of the
Royal Society of Queensland the veteran Queensland
authority on the Rotifer (Mr. W. R. Colledge) read a
paper descriptive of a new species of Rotifer of the genus
Melicerta. TJie new Rotifer was found in a pool at Rock-
lea, near Brisbane, by Miss Bursdorff, and has been
named by Mr. Colledge after the discoverer. It is note-
worthy on account of its large size (not forming a pro-
tective tube) and in its solitary, not Colonial habit.

0-

ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY.

Recent additions to the library include the following
Australian publications: —

Australian Museum Magazine (Svdnev), Yol. 2, Nos. 1,

2, and 3.

Australian Naturalist (Sydney), Vol, 4, parts 8-11.
Australian Zooloogist (Sydney), Yol 3, parts 5 and 6.
Australian Forestry Journal (Sydney), Yol. 7, Nos. 2-8,
The Gum Tree (Melbourne), Yol. 8, No. 29.

QueenslaTid Geological Survey, publication No. 273,
Mesozoic Insects of Queensland (Dunstan and Till-
yard). No. 274, Geology of Chiirns Hinterland
(Jensen).

Coniiuonwealth Department of Public Service Bulletins^
Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 8.

Scientific Australian (Melbourne), Vol. 30, Nos. 2, 3,
and 4.

South Australian Naturalist (Adelaide), Yol. 5, Nos. 2,

3, and 4.

South Australian Ornithologist (Adelaide). Yol. 7, No. 6.
Victorian Naturalist (Melbourne). Vol. 41, Nos. 1-3.
Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Western
Australia (Perth), Vol. 9, part 2.

Two Papers from Capt. S. A. White — Prof. David’s Expe-
dition to the Finke River, and Old Dutch Homes in
South Africa.

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PRICE 1/.

VOI . V., No. I.

April, 1925

. . Cbe . .

Queensland naturalist

Journal of tbe

Quecn$land naturali$t$’ iKIub

AND

nature-covers’ Ceague.

The Poetry of Earth is never deadP — KeaTS.

The Author of each Article is responsible for the Statements
expressed therein.

CONTENTS: pam

Proceedings I

Annual Report Queensland Naturalist Club ... 3

Presidential Address 5

Retirement of Mr. R. Illidge 10

Note Accompanying Exhibit ii

The Eucalypts of the Brisbane District 12

Syllabus Inside Back Cover

The Carler*Wat»on Co. Ltd., Printers, Brisbane,

The Queensland Naturalists’ Club

- AND -

Nature-Lovers’ League.

Official Journal — The Queensland Naturalist,
la

OFFICII

0

Patron:

Sir Matthew Nathan, G.C.M.G., Governor of Queensland,

President:

Mr, W. B. Alexander, M.A.

(Commonwealth Prickly Pear Laboratory, Sherwood).

Vice-Presidents :

Mr. H. A. Longman, FX.S., and Mr. J. C. Smith.

/don. Secretary :

Mrs. W, M. Mayo,

Roseberry St., Highgate Hill, South Brisbane.

Hon. Excursion Secretary :

Mr. J. C. Smith

(C/o Murray Fraser, Charlotte Street, Brisbane).

Hon. Treasurer : Mr. F, B. Coleman
(Dept, of Agriculture, Brisbane).

Hon. Librarian : Miss E. Baird.

Oommittee:

Dr. E. O, Marks, B A., B.E. Mr. R. L. Higgins.
Mr. D. W. Gaukrodger. Mr. L. Franzen

Hon. Lanternist : Mr. W. J. Sanderson.

Hon. Editor.^ Nahmilist : Mr. C. T. White, F.L.S.
(Govt. Botanist, Botanic Gardens, Brisbane).

Subscriptions :

Ordinary Members 10s. per annum.

Country Members 5s. per annum.

Nature-Lovers’ Certificate, 4d.

MKirriNOH:

Evening Meetings are held at the Brisbane Women^s Club Rooms
Albert House, C/r Albert and Ann Streets, Brisbane,
on the third Monday of every month.

Excursions are held once or twice a month from March to December.

HAT*-

Oc Queen$land HaturalUt.

JOURNAL OF THE QUEENSLAND NATURALISTS’ CLUB
AND NATURE-LOVERS’ LEAGUE.

VoL. V. April, 1925 Xo. i.

PROCEEDINGS.

November, 1924 — March, 1925.

i EVENING MEETING, 17th NOV., 1924.— The Pre-
7 sident (Professor E. J. Goddard) occupied the chair.

An exhibit of mounted specimens of plants illustrative of
■ the flora of Roberts’ Plateau, Laniington National Park
and Macpherson Range was shown by Mrs. C. A. Mess-
ner. The specimens were described by Mr. C. T. White
(Government Botanist), who spoke in a general way on
the flora of the mountain regions of Eastern Australia,
with special reference to that of the N^ational Park area
of Southern Queensland. A collection of plants from
Westei'n Australia, collected by Miss C. Allum, of Perth,
was staged by Mrs. W. M. Mayo (lion. Secretary). The
exhibit was commented upon by Mr. W. B. Alexander,
whose residence of some years in AVestern Australia
enabled him to speak in a more or less general way on
the floral wealth of that State. Mr. Mackenzie sent for
exhibit a rather interesting grasshopper (Alectoria
superba). This insect is remarkable in wearing a large
crest on its head. Mrs. AV. M. Mayo exhibited what she
took to be an aboriginal stone-cutting implement col-
lected at Myora. A small collection of marine Algae from
Dunwich, Moreton Bay, was staged by Mr. J. C. Smith,
Mr. AV. 13. Alexander and Air. G. H. Barker gave brief
accounts of the recent meetings of the Royal Australian
Ornithologists’ Union at Rockhampton and Byfield.

ANNUAL MEETING, 23rd February, 1925.—
His Excellency the Governor (Sir Matthew Nathan)
patron of the Club, presided, and there was a good at-
tendance of members and visitors. The retiring Presi-
dent (Prof. E. J. Goddard), delivered his presidential
address, taking for the scientific portion, “Some Aus-

2

The Queensland Naturalist.

April, 1925

traliaii Life Forms and their Significance.” *The offi-
cers for the ensuing tAvelve months were elected, as set
out on the cover pa^e of this issue. The Annual Report
was read and adopted, after a few amendments. The
lion. Treasurer (Mr. G. 11. Barker) presented the finan-
cial statement for the year. The Hon. Librarian (Mr, G.
H. Barker) reported that 178 parts of serial publications
had been added to the library during the year; most be-
ing received as exchanges.

EVENING MEETING, 16th MARCH, 1925.— Mr.
W. B. Alexander (President) occupied the chair, and
there was a good attendance of members and visitors.
The following persona were unanimously elected mem-
bers of the club: — Dr. and Mrs, Gifford broil, Mr. R. S.
Pennycuick, Mr G. H. Hardy, Mr. J. Mann, and Mr. J, B.
Wadley. The principal business of the meeting was the
screening of a nxunber of lantern slides of bird life by
]\Ir. D. W. Gaukrodger^ from photographs all taken
within a fifty mile radius of Alice Downs Station,
Blackall, Central Queensland. Particularly noteworthy
was a fine series of slides illustrating the life history of
the emu, and another of the wedge-tailed eagle. Slides
of a number of other birds were shown, pictures of the
Common CroAV (raven) at the nest, and also of the Galah
being specially attractive, these birds thougjh among
the commonest, being particularly hard to photograph.

Reports on the recent excursion to Kuraby were
given by Mr. J. C. Smith (general), Dr. E. O. Marks
(geology), Mr. W. B. Alexander (bird-life), and Mr.
Pranzen (insects). Mr. R. L. Higgins tabled a number
of photographs taken on the excursion. The exhibits
staged at the meeting were of considerable interest, and
created a good deal of discussion. The following exhibits
wore tabled: — By Mr. J. B. Wadley, a particularly fine
pair of dingo .skins from Murgon ; by Mr. H. A. Long-
man, skull of dingo and of Tasmanian wolf, showing
differences in brain cavity, also a fossil tooth of a large
extinct marsupial wolf from cave earth at Marmor
Quarry, donated to the Queensland Museum by Mr. S.
EA^ans. The tooth is probably identical with Thylacinus
spelaeus Owen, from tlie Wellington Caves; by Mr. P.
Pranzen, a case of neuropterous insects, principally ant-
lions; by Mrs. ITobler, two rare insects, Yorkeica mar-
morata and Phoracanthera grallaria; by Mr. R. IHidge,

♦Held over till next Issue.

April, 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

3

interesting insects collected recently by himself and
other members of the club (see page 11).; by Mr. G.
H. Barker, a peculiarly >shaped stone; by Dr. E. 0. Marks,
young pJew lizards (Amphibolurus barbafus), hatched
from eggs brougKt to him last November; by Mr. W. B.
Alexander, an interesting spider, Dolophones (Tholia)
turrigera, and a painting by Mr. Neville Caley, of the
Fairy Warbler, a bird until the recent visit to Central
Queensland of the Royal Australian Ornithologists’
Union, thought to be only the female of an allied
species.

0

QUEENSLAND NATURALIST CLUB.

Annual Report of the Council for the Year 1924.

Nine Council and eight Ordinary meetings have been
held during the year, together with the usual field ex-
cursions. Council and ordinary meetings have been well
attended, and the interest in Saturday afternoon excur-
sions and the various camps has been Avell maintained

Field Excursions. — Early in the year the President,
Professor E. J. Goddard, outlined a general scheme for
the complete biological survey of the area between the
Brisbane and Pine Rivers that might be made the objec-
tive of the Club during the year, and promised to make
cabinets at the University available to house specimens
and material collected. In pursuance of this scheme, all
Saturday afternoon excursions for the year were held iji
the one area. Enoggera, Lawnton, Mitchelton, Bald Hills
and Niidgee were each visited, but the result showed tliat
the time was not yet ripe for such a proposition to be
undertaken by the Naturalist Chib. A plan of that
nature, excellent though it might be, needs a much larger
and more enthusiastic membership of younger members
than the Club has at present.

The Easter excursion to Moreton Island was well
organised and attended; over 40 members were in camp,
and the result of the observation during the Easter period
made an interesting number for the ‘^Queensland
Naturalist.”

The Beerwah trip, early in September, was also
successful. The , honorary Excursion Secretary (Mr. J.
C. Smith), is to be congratulated on the arrangements
for these extended trips.

4

The Queensland Naturalist.

April, 1925

Evening Meetings.-^At the evening sessions there
hHS been plenty of interest and enthusiasm. Material
and specimens collected on the excursions have been
tabled, named and discussed; papers by country mem-
bers have been read, and during the year Messrs.' Illidge,
Alexander, Dr. Marks, Dr. Eland >Sha\v, Mr. White, Mr’
Francis, and Mr. Coleman were responsible for interest-
ing and instructive papers on ornithology, botany,
entomology, etc.

Membership. — Club membership now stands at 131.
A fair number of country people have joined up during
the year, and a quarterly issue of the “Naturalist' ' is
really needed to keep us in touch with them.

By the death of I\lr. W. M. Tanner, Honorary Lan-
tcrnist and most enthusiastic worker, the C^ounciriost a
valued aid this year. A club member of long standing
in Mr. MTieeler, has also ])assed. Tt is witli great regret
also we have to record the death of Mr. Frank Burtt (a
past President of the Cdub), and of Mr. L. E. Cooling, a
promising young entomologist, who devoted much atten-
tion to insect pests in connection with public health.

Wild Flower Show and Natural History Exhibition.

^ — The Sliow held at the lattei* end of September was a
most successful one. The School Competitions in Wild
Flowers showed a big improvement on the previous year
ill methods of pickingj ]iacking and choice of material.
The work of arranging* and judging the school section of
the Wild Flower Show was ably looked after by the
Government Botanist (Mr. C. T. White). A s])ecial fea-
ture of the Show was the tables representing tlie dif-
ferent districts on which the flowers of those districts
were massed. The public showed great interest in the
flowers, and made several suggestions for the improve-
ment of the next flower show, by which the Council hope
to profit when the time comes.

Nature Study in Schools. — For some time past, tlie
Naturalist Club has been largely responsible, through
its members, for the subject matter of the October issue
of the School Magazine. The work accomplished by the
Club in this direction has been appreciated by teachers
and pupils alike. It is to be regretted that no application
for a continuance of the work was received from the
Education Department last yeai*. The School Magazine-’

April, 1925

5

The Queensland Naturalist.

certainly suffered, and there was general disappointment
among the children when their ‘'bird number” failed.
Queensland is the only State on the mainland of Austra-
lia, which has not an instructor of Nature Study attached
to the Education Department. It would be a good thing
if the Naturalist Club endeavoured by representations to
the Department of Education to get Queensland into line
with the other States in regard to this very necessary
branch of study.

Revision of Rules. — One of the first duties of the in-
coming Council will be the revision of the Club rules,
bringing them up to date, and thus facilitating the
management of the Club.

“Queensland Naturalist.” There have been three
issues of the “Naturalist” during the past year. Given
sufficient inaterial, the Editor liopes to make a quarterly
issue this year.

E. J. GODDARD, President.

MRS. AV. M. MAYO, Hon. Secretary.

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.

By Professor E. J. Goddard, B.A., D.Sc.

(Read at the Annual Meeting, 23rd February, 1925)

It is the usual practice on such occasions as this, I
believe that the President delivers an address on a spe-
cial scientific topic. If such be the case, then I must
crave your indulgence for slightly departing from that
custom for a duel reason. In the first place, I am im-
pressed by the fact that a weighty scientific contribu-
tion would find better place in the pages of one of the
.scientific journals; and secondly, I appreciate the fact
that the Naturalists^ Club occuiiies a unique position, in-
asmuch as it devotes its interests really to Natural .His-
tory in a naturalist ^s fashion and is concerned with en-
couraging a love for nature study in the community,
and notably among the growing generation. During the
past year I have had an opportunity of recognising the
conditions under which the Queensland Naturalists’
Club attempts to carry on the work which falls within
the sphere of activities of such a Club, and have learned
to appreciate the difficulties which confront these

6

The Queensland Naturalist.

April, 1925 .

efforts. While the Club is constituted by a number of
men and women Avhose love for some aspect of Natural
History finds expression in their association with others
of similar or connate tastes — and in this Avay the Club
must always remain as a natural entity — ^it is a most
reo-rettable fact that in a city such as Brisbane there is
practically no representation of the junior section of the
community. There must surely be a laro'e number of
youno- folk whom the love for birds, beetles, butterflies,
moths, shells, sea-shore life, wild flowers, etc., enthuses,
and for whom the Naturalists’ Club should offer special
attractions. The monthly meetings and excursions re-
])resent excellent opportunities for such folk, and would
enable them to form a healthy specialised knowledge
of the particular group of animal or plant' life or the
particular division of Natural History in which they have
a natural interest. The Club would welcome such to its
ranks, for it badly needs their help and sympathy. Tt is
sincerely hoped that these remarks may be noticed by
any who do not know of the existence of the Naturalists’
Club, and are ignorant of the opportunities which are
available to them.

Unfortunately, the interests of the Club are largely
kept up, at present, by members of advanced years, and
by others of a professional status, and it is their whole-
some desire that they should have the opportunity of
helping and encouraging others in the study of our
Natural Histoiy, in the hope that these younger mem-
bers will carry on the work for which the (Tub exists.
There is no reason why the Queensland 'Naturalists’
Club slioiild not include and be largely controlled by a
band of enthusiastic naturalists whose leisure time could
be filled in with satisfying nature studies, the variety
of which might be well met to the advantage of them-
selves and the community. There is little of that leisure
available for many who, at present linked up with the
Naturalists’ Club, are precluded by professional duties
from indulging to the extent they would like in the
activities of the Club. Biological study is becoming more
seriously recognised in the business of the State, in view
of its economic importance, but in many ways it would
be most regrettable— even disastrous — if this side of
nature study were to become exclusively pre-eminent.
We hear much about the applied, practical or economic,
and the theoretical aspects of scientific study, . but it

April, 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

7

must always be borne in mind that, after all, the theore-
tical aspect represents the fundamental source from
which we must draw. Certain it is that we must exer-
cise perspective, and recognise that in the business of
the State the economic aspect must be kept in view, for,
after all, attention is generally focussed on some specific
problem whenever the aid of science is sought. At the
same time, and especially in many biological problems,
there is a very considerable amount of w'ork which might
be done by many who possess the natural ability and
aptitude, and might be encouraged to undertake such.
The pages of our scientific journals in various parts of
the world reveal the names of many workers who have
availed themselves of the opportunities bestotved on them
by Nature, and such institutions as the Naturalists’
Club. Such institutions have meant the stimulation of a
natural interest and have created confidence with the
enthusiasm engendered. Biological achievement in
Queensland is certainly not commensurate with the
existent ability to produce results. In view of this fact,
it is regrettable that there is not a larger representation
of the teaching profession within the membership of the
Club, since that profession could achieve much, directly
or indirectly, in the direction indicated. In making these
remarks I am not unmindful of the fact tliat the Club
exists primarily for the encouragement and cultivation
of a love for Natural History, and in this respect my
mind is drawn to an analogy when reviewing the rela-
tive merits of economic and aesthetic tastes — I refer to
the relation of State and Church. The activities of such
interdigitate in such a way that it is impossible to
abruptly demarcate the influences of these two institu-
tions as far as the life of the community is concerned.
Within the biological field the Naturalists’ Club attempts
to foster a love for Nature, and in so doing is accom-
plishing educational work. Charles Darwin was fore-
most and pre-eminently a naturalist.

Our educational system makes some contribution
along these lines by means of instruction in Nature
Study, but that largely ceases, unfortunately, when the
time comes for the passage of the iiupil from the school
to the routine business of obtaining a livelihood. Th**
Club endeavours to foster and perpetuate interest in
Nature Study throughout life, and in so doing is dis-
charging tasks which should be more widely known.

8

The Queensland Naturalist.

April, 1925

How many in Brisbane recognise that the exhibition of
wild flowers, held annually, represents heavy work for
a group of enthusiastic nature lovers, whose idea is to
inculcate a national love for the rich and interesting
flora of this continent ? Incidental to the educational
aspect of a work which encourages the faculty of ob-
servation, 'the Club is playing thus a national part. It is
to be hoped that its membership, and especially its active
membership, will increase.

It has been stated in the Annual Report that an
attempt was made during the past year to inaugurate a
biological survey of a definite area in the neighbour-
hood of Brisbane, Avith a view to listing the animal and
plant forms. The value of such a list to the naturalist,
present or future, Avould be great indeed, and in the pre-
paration of that list excellent oppoi'tunities would have
been offered for anyone interested in any special aspect
of Natural History. Unfortunately, the carring out of
the projected scheme Avas rendered impossible by the
fact that the full responsibilities and task devolved on
members Avhose public duties prevented them from giv-
ing the fullest attention Avhich the project demanded.
It is hoped that some arrangement may yet be conceived
in the near future for the discharge of this project, by
the collaboration of the Naturalists’ Club and the Bio-
logy Department of the University. It appears to me
that this occasion synchronising, as it does, Avith the
imminent inauguration of the Greater Brisbane scheme,
offers an opportunity for certain suggestions Avhich
should be appreciated by the Naturalists’ Club as well
as by the community. Brisbane represents the centre
for many activities of State-wide influence, and the
certain groAvth of the city forces on us the necessity of
laying foundations AAdiich Avill suffice for more than the
present day.

In October, the Botanical Gardens Avill pass under
the jurisdiction of the new Conncil, and the shortage of
suitable park lands Avithin the city forces on one con-
sideration of the future of those Gardens. The position
of these Gardens is in some respects ideal, but the area
has been so hemmed in that expansion to an extent suf-
ficient to offer the facilities Avhich should exist for
National Gardens is impossible. Ever3' civilised country
in The Avorld possesses its National Botanic Gardens,
and there can be little doubt that ever^’ one will agree

April, 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

9

that Queensland should possess Gardens where not only
representatives of the flora of other parts of the world
can be seen, but also a representation as complete as
possible, of the Queensland flora. The interest in such
Gardens should not be restricted to naturalists, for, in-
dependent of the pure .Scientific value of such Gardens -to
the botanist, and their general interest to the commu-
nity, such work of an economic nature might be asso-
ciated with them. Little more than ten years ago there
were founded at Kirstenbosch, in South Africa, National
Gardens for the cultivation of South African plants,
keeping in view the national, .scientific and economic
importance of such an institution. To-day, these Gardens
rank about third among the Gardens of the woidd. The
unification of the suburbs of Capetown under one Coun-
cil synchronised with the setting aside of over 1,000
acres of land on the. slopes of Table Mountain, where
the Gardens were founded. Tn view of the great national
value of such gardens and the fact that botanical studies
are noAV being more seriously fostered in Queensland,
it appeals to me that the suitable time has now arrived
for suggesting that an extensive area should be set
aside by the Greater Brisbane Council for the purposes
of National Gardens. Such an area should be sufficiently
large to enable the cultivation of all types of our native
flora, and the aim in view should be mainly scientific.

The institution of such Gardens would do much to
stimulate work on the economic possibilities of our flora,
many aspects of which are as yet practically untouched.
Such Gardens should be accessible by tram or bus from
the city, and for this reason it Ls desirable that the matter
should receive early attention. Suitable lands for such
Gardens is available at the present day, but early allo-
cation is advisable if a sufficiently large area is to be
safeguarded. Queensland is a very large State, and for
that reason encouragement should be given towards the
support of Botanic Gardens iu other parts of the State;
but, nevertheless, National Gardens offer the best ad-
vantages where facilities for scientific research, scientific
workers, well equipped libraries, and a Univei’sity
exist. I trust this project will in the near future meet
with consideration, and that definite action will be taken
along the lines suggested.

The in,stitution of Zoological Gardens might be ad-
vocated with perhaps less cogency, but the desirability

10

The Queensland Naturalist.

April, 1925.

of such must early engage the attention of our City
Fathers.

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking
the members of the Council and the Club for the assist-
ance they have rendered me during the past year. Par-
ticularly. I stress my indebtedness to the untiring efforts
of the lion. Secretary^ on whom the difficult problems of
the Club have mainly devolved. I regret that public
duties have prevented me from giving that attention to
the matters of the dub, which I willingly would have
done. T trust that the new President will be encouraged
in his efforts to enhance the value of the Club Meetings
and Excursions by an increased membership, but, more
important still, by an increasing band of younger work-
ers anxious to further their own and our knowledge of
the Queensland fauna and flora.

0

RETIREMENT OF MR. ILLIDGE FROM THE
COUNCIL.

At the last meeting of the Council for 1924, Mr, R.
Illidge, the veteran Queensland entomologist, one of the
original members of the Club, and who since its incep-
tion in 1904 has served almost continuously on the
Council, signified his intention of not standing for elec-
tion as a member of the Committee for 1925, Tt was
moved at the meeting and unanimously agreed to, that
au appreciation of Mr. Illidge 's services as a councillor
be put on record. Fortunately, Mr. Illidge ’s retirement
from the Council does not mean that he will discontinue
to take an active part in the work of the Club, but his
help and advice will always be available to members,
particularly those taking an interest in entomological
matters.

April, 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

IL

NOTES ACCOMPANYING EXHIBITS.

By R. midge.

(a) Collected by Mr. J. C, Smith . — Two specimens of a
Neuropterous insect, belonging to the ant-lions (Myrme-
leontidae Glennrus er^hrocephalus. A not uncommon
but very beautiful species, found in the Brisbane district,
the present specimens being from Indooroopilly,

(b) Collected by Miss Hilda Geissmann. — (1) A
Neuropteron, which I have identified as Dendroleon
dumigani (Tillyard), though with some doubt, allowing
for variation which occuns more or less in most insects,
though more specimens would be desirable. It belongs to
Myrmeleontidae. (2) A lerp (Psyllidae), probably of the
genus Spondylaspis. This is of interest, because the white
woolly filaments formed part of the decoration of the
nest of the white-eared flycatcher (Monarcha leueotis),
taken by her and Mrs. Mayo in the remains of the scrub
on Stradhroke Island, opposite Southport, and now de-
posited in llie Queensland Museum. (3) The huge
Xyleutes cinerea, previously known as Endoxyla cinerea.
This specimen has a wing expanse of 210 mm., hut the
tips are broken; it was probably quite nine inches across.
The length from head to end of body is 9.”> mm. (4). An
interesting moth (greatly dilapidated and not properly
recognisable), is what T once knew as Chtelepteryx ex-
politus, but probably Darala chelepteryx, of Felder
Other two knoAvn species are C. collesi and C. felderi,
both being found on Tambourine Mt. They are large and
beautiful species, especially the latter. The empty case
exhibited is that from which the moth so much damaged
emerged, and judging from it, I have made the above
identification.

(c) Collected by myself. — (1) Myremelleon sp? Acan-
thaclisis sp? Ant-lion insects, taken in the house at
Bulimba (ceiling). Do not appear to be common. (2)
Charagia (Hepialus) daphnandrae, Lucas — female. For
an account of the habits of this and the Xyleutes, above
referred to, see Tllidge Proe. Roy. Soe.,' Queens. Vol.
XIV., and Tllidge and Quail, the same, Vols. XVT and
XVIL

12

The Queensland Naturalist.

April, 1925

THE EUCALYPTS OR GUM TREES OF THE
BRISBANE DISTRICT.

By C. T. White^ F.L.S., Goveminent Botanist.

III.

(Continued from the ‘‘Queensland Naturalist/^ Vol IV

p. 112.)

3. — Eucalyptus maculata (Spotted Gum).

Description. — A tree attaining* a large size, the trunk
usually marked with bullet-like indentations, the outer
dead bark shed in irregular patches, leaving a smooth
and usually blotchy trunk. Coppice (“sucker-/ leaves
peltate, somewhat variable in shape and size, mostly
ovate and averaging about 5 inches long and 2 inches
broad, on a leaf stalk or petiole of inch; the branches
clothed With strigose hairs, in some cases almost amount-
ing to prickles, hairs also abundant on the midribs and
main nerves and veins on the under surface of the leaf.
As the coppice shoot, or young ti’ee grows, the leaves
assume more of the adult form, the branchlets become
quite glabrous, and the leaves in this stage attain a very
large size, in some eases up to 13 inches long and up to
6 inches across, but usually considerably smaller. Or-
dinary (or adult leaves) lanceolate, straight or more or
less falcate, the upper part tapering to a long acute apex,
petiole about } inch long, blade 4-7 inches long, 4-1 inch
wide; midrib distinct; main lateral nerves oblique, close
and numerous intramarginal vein very close to the edge,
and not always very distinct. FloAvers in 2-3 floAvered
umbels, the umbels arranged in ])anieles in the leaf-
axils, the upper ones often forming a large terminal
compound panicle. Calyx-tube at first narrowly, then
broadly turbinate, when fully doA^eloped about 4 inch
broad and 4 inch long (including the basal part, which
gradually tapers into a pedicel). Opei*cula Iavo, an outer
and an inner one resj^eetively, the outer one broadly
hemispherical, turbinate and of a thick, leathery texture,
inner one shining broadly hemispherical, scarcely or not
at all turbinate, and of much thinner texture than the
outer one. Stamens 4 inch or more long; anthers narrow-
oblong, nearly one line long, with i^arallel cells appear-

April, 1925.

The Queensland Naturalist.

13 '

Eucalyptus maculata (Spotted Gum), One Tree Hill,
near Brisbane.

[Photo, C.T.W.

14

The Queensland Naturalist.

April, 1925

irig in a lono’itndinal slit. Seed capsules irregularly urn-
shaped, often with a prominently narroAved neck, aver-
aging about 4 inch long, and i inch wide; rim variable,
often appearing vei\v thin, and at other times fully one
line wide (due to the varying angle of the persistent
disk) ; valves deeply sunk, usually 3, but varying 3-4.

Distribution. — A native of Eastern Australia from
Gippsland. in Victoria, to the Wide Bay District, in
Queensland: from here nortlnvards the normal form is
replaced by A'ar. citriodora, a variety yielding a very
strongly citron scented oil.

Botanical Name. — Eucalyptus (see under No. 1) :
maculata from Latin macula, a spot due to the bark
falling in patches, and ghung the trunk a spotted appear-
ance.

Common Name. — TTniversallv known as ‘^Spotted
Oum.'^

Timber. — One of the most A^aluable hardwoods of the
State— used generally for lieavy Avork, except in contact
with the ground.

Botanical Reference.^ — Eucalyptus maculata (Hook-
er), leones Plantarum, tab. 619, 1844.

4. — Eucalyptus micrantha (Scribbly Gum).

Description. — A large tree Avitli a smooth Avhite or
blotched bark, almost invariably marked Avith scribbly
brown lines. Coppice (“sucker’’) leaA^es large, some-
times OA^ate, but usually oA'ate-lanceolate and often in-
clined to be falcate, petiolate, petiole or leaf-stalk abour
i inch long, blade or lamina np to 9 inches long and 4
inches AAude, but usually smaller, veining someAAdiat ir-
regular, main nerves some distance apart (averaging
about J inch, but A^ariable in this respect), intramarginal
vein 1-2 lines from edge. Ordinary (secondary or adult)
leaves coriaceous, lanceolate usually someAvhal falcate,
the upper ])art tapering to an acute apex, petiole 4-f
inch long, blade variable, aA^eraging about inches long
and about 1 inch a't the widest part, the midrib alone
usually prominent, main lateral nerves fairly distant
from one another (2-3 lines apart), intramarginal vein
J-1 line from the edge. FloAvers in simple umbels (or
heads) in the axilis of the leaves; peduncle rather slen-

April, 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

15

der, about i inch long, 6-15 flowers in an umbel. Buds
club-shaped, calyx-tube tapering at the base into a slen-
der pedicel, measuring with the pedicel about I inch
long; operculum, hemispherical. Stamens about one line
long, the outer ones sterile ; anthers of the inner series
very small, the cells opening in divergent (at length con-
fluent) slits. Seed capsules very broadly turbinate, about
I inch in diameter, rim broad (about one line), slightly
convex, valves not protruding.

Eucalyptus nilcrantha (Scinhbly Gum), Suiiiiybaiik,
near Brisbane.

[Photo, G.T.W.

I6

The Queensland Naturalist.

April, 1925

Distribution. — A native of Eastern Australia from,
Southern New South AVales to Central Queensland.

Botanical Name. — Eucalyptus (see under No. 1);
micrantha, from the two Greek words^ mikros, small, and
anthos, a flower, referrino* to the flowers being smaller
than those of its near ally, E. haemastoma.

Common Names. — Most commonly known as ‘‘Scinb-
bly Gum,” in allusion to the scribble-like markings al-
most always present on the trunk, sometimes almost
covering it. It is also known as “AVhite Gum,” “Sugar
Gum,” and “Cabbage Gum”; local names also given,
however, to other very different trees.

Timber. — “The timber is very subject to gum-veins,
and hence is sawn only for cheap purposes. A favourite
timber for fencing purposes, particularly rails.” (Jolly,
in “Notes on the Principal Timbers of Queensland,”
Forestry Bulletin, No. 2 — Department of Public Lands,
Brisbane). The timber is a useful hardwood, but suffers
in comparison with the better sorts.

Botanical Reference. — E. micrantha De Candolle, in
“Prodroraus Systematis Naturalis Regni Yegetabilis,”
Vol. 3, p. 217 (1828).

Note on the Botany of the Species. — E. micrantha

was reduced by Beutham in the “Ploi’a Australiensis”
to a variety of E. haemastoma; in this he was followed
by Mueller, in the “Euealyptographia,” by Bailey in his
“Queensland Flora,” and for a long time by Maiden in
his “Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus.” In a
recent part (Yol. YII., pt. 9) of the last-mentioned
monumental work, however, Maiden restores De Can-
dolle’s species, and I have now followed.

; "fi .A , »/

PROPOSED SYLLABUS OF MEETINGS, 1925.

SATURDAY, March 14, Kuraby.

MONDAY, March 16, Evening Meeting.

FRIDAY, April 10 — MONDAY, April 13 (Easter), Amity,
northern end of Stradbroke Island.

MONDAY, April 20, Evening Meeting.

SATURDAY. April 25. Visit to home of Mr. R. Illidge,
Quay Street, Bulimba, to view his entomological col-
lections.

SATURDAY. May 2-4 (Labour Day), Camp Mountain.

MONDAY, May 18, Evening Meeting.

SATURDAY, May 23, Sherwood. (Visit to Commonwealth
Prickly Pear Experiment Station. Leader, Mr. W. B.
Alexander) .

WEDNESDAY, June 3 (King's Birthday), Riverview. (By
train and motor boat).

MONDAY, June 15, Evening Meeting.

SATURDAY, June 27, Queensland Museum (Leader H. A.
Longmann, Director).

SATURDAY, July 11, Darra. Object mainly geological.
(Leader Dr. E. O. Marks). There are some fine ter-
tiary deposits with a rich collection of leaf impressions
of modern plants in the neighbourhood of Darra.

SATURDAY. July 25, Botanic Gardens and Museum (Mr. E.
W. Bick, Curator).

SUNDAY, August 8, Upper Brookfield (all day). Train to
Indooroopilly, thence by motor wagon.

MONDAY, August 17, Evening Meeting.

SATURDAY, August 22, Siinnyhank. Object mainly botanical
(Leader Mr. C. T. White). In spite of increased settle-
ment of recent years, there are still a large number of
typical Australian flowering plants to be seen at Sunny-
bank.

SATURDAY, September 12 — MONDAY, September 14, Beer-
burrum. Object general. (Leader, Mr. J. C. Smith,
Excursion Secretary) .

SATURDAY, September 19, Wild Flower Show.

SATURDAY, October 10, Nudgee Beach. Object Littoral
Flora and Fauna — particularly of the Margrove ora-
tions.

MONDAY, October 19, Evening Meeting.

SUNDAY, October 25, Gocdna and Woogaroo Scrub (all
day).

MONDAY, November 16, Evening Meeting.

THURSDAY, December 24, -FRIDAY, January 1st (Xmas-
New Year), Cootharaba Lakes.

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Audited and found correct,

VOL. V., No. 2 .

JULY, 1925

PRICE 1/.

. . Cbc . .

Queenslana i^amralist

journal of the

Queensland naturalists' CiluD

AND

nature-Cooers’ Ceague.

The Poetry of Earth is never dead!' — Keats.

The Author of each Article is responsible for the Statements
expressed therein.

CO N TK>'TS ; page

Proceedings 17

Some Australian Life Forms and Their

Significance 19

A Note on the Use of Cycad Wood for

Brake-Blocks 30

Birds Observed at Camp Mountains ‘ 31

The Cai’ter-Watson Co. Ltd., Printers, Brisbane.

The Queensland Naturalists’ Club

- AND -

Nature-Lovers’ league.

Official Journal — The Queensland Naturalist*
la

OrFlCK KKAKKUS, IDiin.

0

Patron:

Sir Matthew Nathan, G.C.M.G., Governor of Queensland.

President:

Mr. W. B. Alexander, M.A.

(Commonwealth Prickly Pear Laboratory, Sherwood).

Vicc-Frcsidcnis :

Mr. H, A. Longman, F.L.S,, and Mr. J. C. Smith.

Hofi, Secniary :

Mrs. W. M. Mayo,

Roseberry St., Highgate Hill, South Brisbane,

Hon, Exairsion Secretary :

Mr. J. C. Smith

(C/o Murray Fraser, Charlotte Street, Brisbane).

Hon. Treasurer : Mr. F. B. Coleman
(.Dept, of Agriculture, Brisbane).

Hon. Librarian : Miss E. Baird.

Oommitiee:

Dr. £. O. Marks, B A., B.E. Mr. R. L. Higgins.
Mr. D. W. Gaukrodger. Mr. L. Franzen

Hon. Lanternist : Mr. W. J. Sanderson.

Hon. Editor.^ Naturalist : Mr. C. T. White, F.L.S.
(Govt. Botanist, Botanic Gardens, Brisbane).

Subscriptions :

Ordinary Members 10s. per annum.

Country Members 5s. per annum.

Nature-Lovers’ Certificate, 4d.

MKKTINCiSt

Evening Meetings are held at the Brisbane Women’s Club Rooms
Albert House, C/r Albert and Ann Streets, Brisbane,
on the third Monday of every month.

Excursions are held once or twice a month from March to December.

4^4 fy ’.-ii ..'V r i.H Lj M [\tj-

Che Queen$land naturalist

JOURNAL OF THE gUEENSLAM) NATURALISTS’ CLUB
AND nature-lovers’ LEAGUE.

VoL. V. July, 1925 Xo. 2.

PROCEEDINGS.

April — June, 1925.

EVENING MEETING, 20th APRIL, 1925.— The
President (Mr. \V. B. Alexander) occupied the chair.
Mr. R. Illidge exhibited specimens of, and read notes on
a Case Moth (Thyridopteryx herrichii), sent in by Mr. C.
McKenzie, of Whalebone Creek, Western Queensland.

The meeting was principally devoted to reports on
the Easter excursion to Stradbroke Island. Mr. W". B.
Alexander reported on the birds observed. Mrs. W. M.
Mayo also spoke on the birds, and recorded having seen a
pair of white-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucoptera),
the first record of these birds in Southern Queensland.
Dr. E. 0. Marks spoke on the geology, and showed speci-
mens of rhyolite and trachyte collected at Point Lookout.
Mr. J. E. Young spoke on the general zoology, and ex-
hibited the skull of a Red \Yallaby found on the Island.
Mr. R. L. Higgins exhibited a number of photographic
studievS taken during the excursion. Mr. L. Franzen re-
ported on the entomology of the trip, and showed a'" case
of butterflies collected. Other exhibits from Strad-
broke Island were plant specimens by Mr. P. Sylow,
and vertebrae of a dugong by Mrs. R. L. Higgins.

A vote of thanks to Mr. T. Welsby for his gi-eat as-
sistance uring the Easter camp-out was carried unani-
mously.

The President and Mr. G. H. Barker drew attention
to the open violation of Stradbroke Island sanctuary by
gunmen during Easter, and the Hon. Secretary was in-
structed to write the T'^nder Secretary. Department of
Agriculture and Stock, asking that notice boai*ds be put
up at the principal landing places and additional rangers

l8

The Queensland Naturalist.

July, 1925

be appointed for the island. It was suggested that the
boating clubs be communicated udtli, asking their help
in upholding the sanctuary laws with regard to the
islands of Moreton Bay.

The President read an extract from the daily press
dealing Avith the shooting by tliree sportsmen of a bag
of 800 quail. On the motion of. Mr. D. AV. Gaukrodger,
seconded by Air. R. L. Higgins, the President and Air.
G. n. Barker Avere nominated to make enquiries regard-
ing the matter, and if thought advisable institute pro-
ceedings, the limit of birds per man under the Game Act
being 25.

EVENING AIEETTNG, 18th A1AA\ 1925.— The A^iee-
President (Air. J. C. Smith) presided. The lion. Secre-
tary (Airs. AA"'. AI. Alayo) reported that folloAving on in-
structions at the last meeting^ she had AAU'itten the Tender
Secretary for Agriculture and Stock in reference to the
violation of the Stradbroke Island Sanctuary, and had
received a reply to the effect that Air. T. AA^elsby had
been appointed an Honorary Ranger under the Native
Birds and Animals Protection Act, and that notice boards
Avould be erected at the different landing places.

The Hon. Secretary on hehalf of Air. C. Dornhusch,
of AV^arAvick, read a feAv notes on the upAvard groAvth of
the lateral limbs of trees, and exhibited photographs il-
lustrative of Air. DornbnschN remarks. Photographs
taken on the recent exciirsion to Stradbroke Island were
exhibited by Alessrs. RoAvley, Hutchins, and Higgins.

The principal business of the meeting Avas a lectui’e by
Air. D. A. Herbert on “A Naturalist in the Philippines.^^

EVENING AIEETTNG, 15th .HTNE, 1925.--The A^ice-
President (Air. J, C. Smith) occupied the chair. Hr. E.
0. Alarks referred to the Avell-marked bora-ring at Camp
Alountain, and moA'ed that the Shire Council be Avritten
to requesting that steps be taken for the ^^deqnate pre-
servation of this interesting ethnological feature. The
motion Avas seconded by Air. TL A. Longman, and carried
unanimously.

Air. H. A. Longman exhibited a very fine skin of the
Tree Climbing Kangaroo Dendrolagus fulvns, probably a
sub-species of D, Lumholt/ii. Air. J. E. Young exhibited
specimens of the Giant Earth AVorm. He had found these
travelling across a road at night. Mr. L. Fran:^en ex-

July, 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

19

hibited (1) a few moths bred from larvae collected on a
native tree — rnpania anacardioides, (2), a few, Pha.smids
and (-S) a small collection of beetles made by Miss Wood,
The (’aves, Eockhampton. Mr. E. Tllid^e exhibited speci-
mens and read a few notes on “Insects of the Eiver ]\Tan-
grove ( Aegiceras)/' and exhibited ata interesting set of
specimens in illustration of his remarks. Mr. Tllidge
also gave a few general notes on beetles. Mr. C. T,
White exhibited two frnits (Parinarium laurinum and
Barringtonia speciosa). and a seed (Chesalpinia Bon-
dncella). sometimes picked up on the ocean beaches of
Southern Queensland. The latter two are common in
Tropical Queensland, but the first mentioned is not
found in Australia, being a native of the Solomon Islands
^ind Xew Guinea.

0

SOME AUSTRALIAN LIFE FORMS AND THEIR
SIGNIFICANCE.

By Prof, E, J. Goddard, B.A., D.Sc., (Queensland
University.

(Portion of Presidential Address, delivered before the
Queensland Naturalists’ Club. 16th Feb., 1925.)

I have chosen as the subject of my address, “Some
Australian Life Forms and Their Significance.” In do-
ing so, I have no intention of attempting so vast a task
as surveying the general realm of the Australian fauna
and flora, but imopose to limit my attention mainly to
■certain representatives^ with the investigation of which
I have had more or loss direct concern.

Australia as a eoutinent is unique in that it lias
been so long isolated from the other continental masses
that it has developed a characteristic fauna and flora,
and many of the ])robleins which arise in an attempt to
elucidate the origin of these forms have a very deep
interest directly for those concerned in the study of past
:and present distribution of life forms in the other cou-
t’neiits of the Southern Hemisphere. My object in this

20

The Queensland Naturalist.

July, 1925

address will be directed mainly tnwai'ds indicatinji- the
special interest which certain selected examples of our
fauna possess for the student of distribution, ami at the
same time to stress the need for more detailed examina-
tion of our fauna and f]<n‘a, not merely from the ana-
tomical, but also from the ecological aspect.

The Oligochaeta. a group of the Annulate worms, in-
cluding the earthworms and their terrestrial and aquatic
allies, is very strongly develo}>e(l in Australia. The
Australian representatives embrace a number of forms
of great anatomical, systematic and distributional signi-
ficance. The class Oligochaeta falls into two divisions, -
known as ihe Mierodrili (Avhich are generally a(|uatic
and mostly rei^resented by small forms) and ^legadrili
(which are mainly tei*restrial and include many large
forms. Whereas tin* Megadrili has lieen faiidy well in-
vestigated in Australia, Ihe Mierodrili have Ix'eu less
attentively studied. Naturally the terrestrial forms
(mainly IMegadrili) have tin* major interest in respect of
zoogeographical problems, inasmuch as the fresh water
representatives have greater faeilities for a more uni"
versal distribution. One family of the Oligochaeta
known as the Phreodrilidae, has a si)ec*ial interest, in-
as much as it is restricted to the Southern Hemisphere
and enjoys a circum])olar distrihution. is strongly repre-
sented in Australia, and exhibits characters which are
intermediate between thosi^ of the typical Mierodrili and
Megadrili.

Tn the Mierodrili the swollen glandular area, known
as the clitellum, is a single cell in thickness and is far
forward in position, whereas in the Megadrili the clitel-
lum consists of several layers of cells, and is never to be
found in front of the 12th segment. Tn the Phreodrilidae
it agrees in structure with that of the Mierodrili, and in
position with that of the Megadrili. The miniit(^ rods
known as setae, occurring in each segment of the body
and serving as levers, are partly in the form of long
hair-like structures, and partly as sigmoid or S-shaped
structures, with a bifid or split free extremity in the
Mierodrili, whereas in the Megadrili they are S-shaped
with a .simple extremity, Tn the Phreodrilidae the seta*'
lesemble those of the Mierodrili, but the extremity re-
calls that of tile Megadrili, the bifid nature being almost
hidden. There are many anatomical features of the
Phreodrilidae which recall the Megadrili. or true earth-

July, 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

21

worms. Tljo <jronp is represonted by worms which do not
exceed an inch in len*»th, and althoiijrh they must be
classed as ar|nalic their habitat is in the mud at the
bottom of pools, wells or lakes. The modification of the
setae and their approximation in form to those of the
Mcftadrili, oj‘ terrestrial earthAcorms, may possibly be
due to tlie nature of th(*ir habitat. Consecpiently in de-
termining* their character as intermediate between those
of the Microdrili and ^le^adrili, we do so for descriptive
and not (genetic purposes: in other words, we do not
necessarily regard them as forms Avhich have led the tvay
from the Microdrili to Me«‘adrili. They might well be
specialised descendants of such intermediate forms, and
equally tvell tliey may in respect of these intermediate
characters exhibit merely the results of a (’onvergent
Evolution. It is so easy to be dogmatic in such matters,
especially when the distribution of the forms concerned
opens 11 ]) a vista of big ])rohlems.

Tile history and distribution of the memlnu's of the
grouj) are of very special interest. In 1895 T^eddard ob-
tained from a subterranean well in New Zealand a new
aquatic genus which he described under the name
Phreodrilus. The form was so peculiar that it could
not be included in any of the known families of this
gronjA of worms. It was then found that forms which
had been found in South America and tlie Falkland
Islands, and had been desci'ilx^d undei' another name,
belonged to the same genus. Since then a sj>ecial family
has been created, to include these forms and others since
described from various ])arts of the Soutliern
TTemisphere.

The family Piireodrilidae now includes the following
genei’a : —

Phreodrilus — Described by Beddard, and occurring
in Falkland Islands, South America. New Zea-
land, ('ampbell Islands, and Kerguelen Island.

Pbreodriloides — Described by Benham, from Blue
Lake, Mt. Kosciusko.

Astacoiisidrilus — Described by Goddard, from the
freshwater Crayfish Astaeopsidrilu.s, X.S.W.

Tasmaniaedrilus— Described by Goddard. f]‘om Ben
Lomond, Tasmania.

Gondwanaedrilns — Described by Goddard, from
Soulh Africa.

22

The Queensland Naturalist.

July, 1925

Tho anatomical characters of the forms are as
follows : —

Phreodrilus — Spermathecae and i)ores distinct.

Wall distinctly g-laiidular.

Astacopsidrihis — Spermatlieeae distinct. l)nt ducts
comninnicatin^- with female ducts. Wall dis
tinetly g^landular.

Gondwanaedriius— Spermathecae distinct, but duets
commiinieatinjr with male })enial chamber.

Tasmauiaedrilus — Spermathecae evanescent and

ducts absent. Wall thin and non-glandular.

Phreodriloides — Spermathecae and ducts absent.

It will be seen that we have now an undoubtedly
complete anatomical sericvS. and that the family whicii
at first known only by the genus Phreodrilus. was con-
sidered so unique in regard chiefl^’ to its setae and si)er-
mathecae, can be s])Iit into genera whose marked
differential characters concern both these structures.

Anatomical evidence sup])orts the idea that the
family is an ancient assemblage, and their habitat taken
into consideration in conjunction with their circumpolar
distribution, is interesting. With tlie exception of one
genus, which is unique amojig tin' grouit in that it lives
in close semiparasitic association with the freshwater
crayfisli — Astaeo])sis — of Australia, tliey are restricted
to cold habitats. These conditions are obtained in some
cases through tlie latitude of the habitat, in others by
extreme bathymeti’ical isolation, assisti'd by the s(‘asons.
In South Africa, for example, they have l)e(‘n eollect(*d
on Wellinglo]! Mountains. Stellejihosch Mountain, and
Table Mountain, but further, not only does investigation
shoAv that they are inhabitants of mountains solely, bur
also that they disappear in some manner or otlnu* — no
doubt into the soil — during tlu‘ hot months of the year.

In noting tlnur I’cstriction to cold habitats and to
tlie Southern Ilemispluu'c, it must he Imrin* iji mind that
no re-])resentatives lia ve been found in the Northern Ilemi-
.S])hf‘re, which has been mneh more seriously investigated
in the past. This is very significant. The fact that they
are restricted to habitats with low temperatures may be
rationally inter])reted as signifying that sncli a commoii
feature is characteristic of the group, and in all pro-

July, 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

n

bability of their common ancestral stock, or as the result
of their inability of carrying on the struggle for exist-
ence in habitats whei’e other forms of Oligochaeta. etc.,
find faA^ourable conditions,

Tlie question now arises, whether the Phreodrilidae
enjoyed at one time a much wider distribution, and have
sinc<^ disappeared in most parts, or whether we are to
regard them as forms which made their appearance in
the Southern Hemisphere.

Now it is interesting here to note that although
none of the group is known in the Northern Hemisphere,
yet in that region there occurs a family- — Lumhrieulidae —
which is unknown in the ^Southern Hemisphere. Further^
this latter family occupies a position of the same phylo-
genetic status as do the Phreodrilidae between the two
main divisions of the Oligochaete worms, and this is*
significant Mdien their res]>eetive restricted distributions
are considered. Both may have arisen, and no doubt did
originate, from a common stock, and it seems highly
jirobable that they have been evolved in the region now
occupied by them. That there has been no intermingling
of the two races, and no sjireading into tlie other hemi-
sphere bj^ either of them, and the fact that both have
a circumpolar distidbutioii, must signify a close asso-
ciation of the land areas of the Northern TIeniispliere
at some period, and a corresponding intimate relation
between the continents of the Southern Hemisphere.
Otherwise it is hard to understand why two such groupvS
should have such a complete circumpolar distribution
in their respective hemispheres.

Possibly the Phreodrilidae have been pi’eserved for
us on the tops of the mountains, and apparently in abun-
dance in South Africa, as living relics of the fauna
which flourished in that old land area — Gondwanaland —
which once linked up our Southeni continents, stretching
across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Tf we can re-
gard their adaptation to low temperatures as a com-
mon ancestral character, they may be forms whose dis-
tribution was greatly lielped in a circum]>olar direction
])y the glacial conditions which obtained during the time
of existence of Gondwanaland,

These remarks may be construed as signifying one
of two conclusions: —

24

The Queensland Naturalist.

July, 1925

(a) The liviiio- Phreodrilidae are the descendents
of ati old cold cdimate ancestral stock which once
inhabited the Southern lands, and are now I'e*
stricted to ar(*as Avhere these conditions are nov"
attained; or

(b) The Phreodrilidae are the I’emnants of a
stock whieli has ])een unable to meet the de-
mands for existence under normal and tem-
jjerate conditions, and consequent!}' have taken
up an abode, or liave ))ersisted in places where
the strn^o-le for existence i,s far less keen.

Before discussing' these conclusions, we will mention
several facts which will tend to makf‘ the issue more
easily understood.

Firstly, the Phreodrilidae uiuhnibtedly show marked
affinities, when phylot^enetieally considered, with the
Lumbriculidae, and the latt(u* are as tridy restricted to
the Xorthern. as the former to tlie Southern Hemisphere.

Secondly it would a])pear that the Phreodrilidae are
not capable of mi^n*atino> across sea barriers, as are so
many of the Oligochaeta. They do uot meet with the same
chances of migration at the iiands of man like many
terrestrial Oligochaeta — a fact which is ex])lained by their
habitat, and that the chief medium servingfor conveyance
in the hand.s of man is eithtu* soil or water from re-
stricted localities, and which is supported by the absence
of Phreodrilidae except in the restricted habitats men-
tioned ahovt‘. and by the fact that as yet no species is
knoAvn as being common to any two of the land
areas where the family is i*epresented. Tn this con-
nection we eannot hut point out that in no division of
the Tnvertehrata are the species more valid since they
are framed Avithont exception uot only on exeeedingiy
M^ell-marked external differences in connection with
setae, etc., but also on peculiarly accentuated internal
differences. There is no room for synonymy in any of
the grou]n

The restriction of the family to the Southern Hemi-
sphere certainly finds its ])arallel in the case of many
oth(‘r grou])s. bnt it Avould seem that in the case of the
Phreodrilidae no explanation other than that of the
existence at one time of a direct connection between the
continents of the Southern Hemisphere is satisfactory.
The Liimhriculidae Avhich occupy a corresponding phylo-

July, 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

25

genetic iinportanee are as restricted to the North-

ern Hemisphere, and thus we are led to conclude that
each group has been evolved in the respective hemi-
spheres, That being the ease, we might then regard the
-existing members of the family as the descendants of au
.ancient Phreodrilid ancestor, Avhich might have
flourished as early as, if not earlier than, Permo-Carboni-
ierous times on ancient Gondwanaland.

The interest attaching to these comparatively in-
significant forms indicates that a great deal of informa-
tion about our Aiistralian Invertebrate fauna still awaits
the naturalist and biologist. This particular division of
oiiv fauna has so far been studied in detail by one worker
only — T refer to the aquatic OHgochaeta. Naturally,
larger forms have attracted tlie attention of naturalists,
but this brief address may serve to sIioav that great re-
sults may repay the efforts of the naturalist who in-
terests himself in the invertebrae fauna. There is no
continent which should hold greater attractions for the
naturalist than Australia. The small groiij) on Avhieh I
have touched has as yet been hardly scratched, and yet
it represents only a very small portion of our inverte-
brate stock, and only a small fraction of the many in-
teresting primitive invertebrate fauna of the Southern
Continents.

The forms mentioned in this address raise the pro-
blem of the past relations of Australia to the other con-
tinents, Many Australian animal forms constitute classic
references used in support of this or that theory of lainl
connections. In this direction there has been a tendency
to assume, because the distribution of certain forms
satisfies the demands of a particular theory that that
theory has been proved. In this way there lias been de-
veloped a someAvhat unscientific mode of attack on the
problem, and the conclusions attained must yet be con-
sidered more or less ai'bitrary. Il has become the ])rae'
tiee to too frequently limit the relationshij) of forms on
;an assumed genetic basis to observations of a purely
morphological character, and this criticism applies to the
procedure whether fossil or living forms are concerned.
The unfortunate tendency in this connection is that we
arbitrarily simplify the vagaries and complexities of an
■cAmlutionary process and dive for a certain point whicli
Ave wish to reach. In following the distribution of
particular forms of life we are guided by the geographi-

26

The Queensland Naturalist.

July, 1925

cal occurrences of fossil aiui living repreKcntatives.
Knowledge of the earliest occurrence, as revealed, say, by
fossil forms, leads us to assume that the locality in ques-
tion represents the centre of origin, and from this centre'
we follow the radiations in subsequent times and inter-
pret the geography of tliose times accordingly. Pro-
vided we limit our conclusions to identical foi'ms we
may be right, hut when we attempt to interpret the dis-
tribution of representatives of a group on these lines we
may be quite wrong. We know far too little about the
proces'^es of organic evoliTtion to make such assumptions
— ^an opinion may be helpful inasmuch as it stimulates
research, but a final conclusion is not attainable.

Yon are all familiar with the theory which woulir
explain the ])resent distribution of Marsupials by assum-
ing a connection between Australia and South America,
via the Antartie Continent. The Marsupials are limited
at tlie present day to the Australian region and America
(mainly Soutli Amei'ica). Fossil records indicate a one-
time widt'r distribution, including Europe, but the
forms represented in this wider area of occurrence are
limited to tliose carnivorous types which we designate
as Polyprotodronts. The living forms include the lierbi-
voroiis Eiprotodont. as well as Polyprotodonts^ and the
])eeuliar South American form, Cenolestes. This occur-
rence of the Diprotodonts has generated the idea that
they must have evolved in one area and migrated to the
othei’, thus suggesting an Antarctic land bridge; move-
ment of the forms along any other route such as via the
Pacific coasts of America and Asia being apparently piv-
cliuled by The absence of any remains of these forms..
The theory is attractive, because it u^onld serve to ex-
plain the distribution of other forms, but the same sup-
port can be afforded to other counter-theories, Tltere is
no reason beyond that of orthodox prejudice why the
Diprotodonts could not have been evolved indejiendentiy
in the two areas where they now exist. Without calling
on an Atlantic land liridge. we might explain the present
areas of occurrence of the Marsupials as representing
each an asylum wliere the relics of a one-tirne universal
Marsupial stock have been jire.served. The limitation of
their area of distribution might have taken place at a
time Avhen the existence of herbivorous fauna was at first
impossible, but with the evolution and differentiation of
the Angiosperms or flowering plants the po.ssibilities of'
pasturage were opened up.

July, 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

27

We know of the mechanism behind organic-

evolution, and we ma.y best summarise our position with,
respect to the possibility of Convero’ent-EvoUition in re-
spect to th(‘ orijiin of the Diprotodont marsupials by
remarkin': tiiat the existence of such was in all proba-
bility i>reviously impossible. There is no more romantic
aspect of biological speculation than that concerned
with the (dueidation of the j^roblems of distribution, and
it is largely due to this alluring influence that there has
been too marked a tendency to allow the imagination to
run away from scientific control. It is certainly time
that an Antarctic link with Australia during Tertiary
times would explain many occurrences of faunal and
floral forms, but the same argument a])])lies in the case
of ether theories, say, such as that which would explain
' tlie reseml)!ances l)etween certain types of fauna and
flora in the Southern Continents as being due to a migra-
; tioTi from the North and tlieir pre.servation in the South-
. era areas, or Avould regard them as persistent represen-
tatives of a moi*e or less universal stock. It is highly
r ])robable that no oru* of these tln’ories holds the ground
^ to the exclusion of the others, and tliat any rigid appli-
* cation of one theory leads ns from the truth in resi)ecl
to any particular group. We liave a similar attempt to
over-ride comidexities in the attempt to decide affinities
of groups of animals and ])lants. ]\Iany treatises in an
attempt to g’raphically illustrate tlie resemblance of
various groups — I refer to classes and families, ete., —
make irse of phylogenetic trees, in which the various
brandies represent individual classes, families, etc. The
idea serves a good jiurpose in thal respect, but unfortu-
nately there is too often a tendency for iieojile to treat
sudi graphic Iveys in a too literal manner, and to interiiret
them as a time-table indicating the relative times of ap-
pearance of tlie groups by noting the point on the main
stem from which tlie liranches arise. In other Avords,
organic eAmlution is regarded as Avorking in a patently
mechanical fashion. It is much more probable that com-
])Iexities and A*agaries liidc the ju’ocess of evolution from
onr gaze. Such iieople are satisfied to explain the evohi-
lioii of (dasses Avliile tlie origin ot sjAecies still represents
a problematical question. Much the same position ob-
tains AAUth resjAoet to the jAroblems of distribution. Tn
the first place Ave must recognise that a knoAvledge of

The Queensland Naturalist.

July, 1925

28

the complete lioe of ancestry of any forms considered
must he available, that a knoAvled^e of the extent to
■which converfrent evolution has been influential must be
accessible; lhat a deep effort to attack the problems of
distribution by payiiip' ^ireater attention to that com-
bination of structure, function and environment which
we term Eeolooy, and Avhich has characterised a bi<; pro^
]>ortion of the mor(‘ truly scientific botanical research of
later times. Geolo^^ical evidence in support of land
connections is often hailed, but we must bear in mind
that in most cases the evidence is not j^'eolojiical. ])ut
palaeontolopdcal, that is to sa^^ it is based on a know-
ledge of the distribution of extinct animals and plants,
the invest ifiation of which must he exclusively morpho-
loji’ieal. The palaeontoloji'ivSt is really a biologist, and
his mode of interpretinj:’ the distribution of forms is
akin to thar adopted by many biologists.

When we come to consider the problem of land
bridges strctchiujr across oceanic areas, ^eolo^ieal evi-
dence should be essentially of a dynamic nature, and such
CA’idenec would appear to be nou-available until a more
exact knowledge of earth physics is accessible. When
this help is obtainable, many of onr problejns of distri-
bution mi"ht he simplified and there could be reflected
therein a distinct advance in oui’ knowledge of the
actual relationship of many animal and ))lant forms.
There is indeed in the present state of our knoAvledjje
much truth in the statement that inter-continental land
bridges cannot be proA'cd by knoAvn facts of the distri-
bution of animals and plants, but if a land bridge could
be proved by some other moans then from the facts of
distribution Ave could in a eomiiarativc Avay state Iho time
AA’hen that bridge broke dOAvn.

In aiiA' survey of the history <d the Australian fauna
and flora Ave have at hand consideiabk* biological a!id
geological information of a re1ial>lc nature, such as the
existence of a large sea in (’rotact'ous times s(‘])arating
Avestern and eastern portions of Ihe uoav continuous
Australian Continent, and the decided intrusion of a
^Malaysian element into our Xorthern flora, and to a eon-
sidt'rahle ext('nt into cemtain groups of our fauna, such
iis the iusocts. Tiieso factors Avould ap])ear to be beyond
dispule. but in addition eeidain land bridges liaA'e been
SAiggested to (‘xplain the consanguinity of life forms
in Australia and other parts of the Southern Hemisphere.

July, 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

29

The earliest of these, that is to sa}', the earliest which
mi^a'ht be considered as having' any j)ossi-

bility of leaving any traces in re8])ect o£

existing forms, was tliat of Gondwanaland.
This huge continental bridge is supposed to have con-
nected the continents of the Southern Hemispliere and
India during Perino-Garboniferoiis times, a period dur-
ing which the main coal-measures of these areas were
being laid down. The existene.e of this land mass has
been postulated ou the [)reHeuce of a characteristic flora,
certain olher fossil and general geological evidence.
There is much evidence to support the theory of such a
Permo-C^arboniferons land connection, but tlie nature of
the connections itself is in question. Comparatively re-
cently it lias been suggested that the continents of the
Sontliern Hemisphere and India, together with the
Antarctic continent, represent the remains of a huge
continent more southerly in position than the present
land areas, and that India, Australia. Soutii America, and
Africa occupy their present position as the result of a
drifting aAvay from the original position as the continent,
so to speak, fractured. There is a great amount of evi-
dence to support this theory. Init it is beyond the limits
of this address to discuss the merits of these two theories
of Gondwanaland. It should suffice for our purposes to
recognise that contimiity is suggested for the Southern
Continents in Permo-Carboniferous times — a period
which saw the mere beginnings of the earliest types of
Reptiles — mammals and birds were uon-existenf. Is it
possible tha1 the apparently close relationship of certain
lower types of animal life in the continents of the
Southern Hemisphere may be due to the fact that these
forms represent descendants from a fauna which then
inhabited a common land mass? (It is a well-known
fact that one outstanding characteristic of the Southern
Hemisphere is a large number of so-called primitive
forms.) Probably no group is of greater interest in this
connection than that described to yon this evening, sinev
no other group investigated offers, in my opinion, more
definite help to the solution of distributional xiroblems.

The land connections Avhieh have been postulated
to explain the distribution of higher forms of animals
and plants concern a much later or more recent date.

The elucidation of these later continental inter-
relationships invites more intimately a study of the

.30

The Queensland Naturalist.

July, 1925

hip:her form.s — and in this connection, especially on the
side of ecology, much remains to be done. The evidence
.available at present in inconclnsive.

The invertebrate fauna possess deeper interest still,
as it may be concerned also with ]n*oblems of distribution
long antedating these. The Phreodrilidae, I think, pre-
sent very strong evidence for intercontinental associa-
tions in tlie youthern Hemisphere — possibly in Permo-
( 'arbonif erous times.

My object will have been achieved in this address,
if T have at least interested some in the problems of the
Australian invertebrate fanna. and have awakened in-
terest in others in the problems of .AnstraTlan Natural
History in general.

0

A NOTE ON THE USE OF CYOAD WOOD FOR
BRAKE-BLOCKS.

By Prof. S. B. J. Skertchly (Molendinar.)

The timber-getters on onr mountains are a fine race,
after my own heart. Their calling demands unusual
skill ; it is no fooPs job to negotiate a team of 16 buHocRs
hitched to a log-laden truck, through forest and scrub
whore no roads be, down slopes like ehureh roofs. Life
and property hang upon the grip of the brakes, and for
brake-blocks nothing is so good as cycad wood (Macro-
zamia Denison! ). They call the trees match-box trees
(from the use they make of the hollowed nuts), and
zamia, a term that has illicitly usurped the legitimate
word Cycad. Hardwood is quite useless for brake-blocks.
It simply polishes, ‘‘becomes greasy,’’ .smokes and col-
lapses. Soft\voods are better, but at a pinch they also
‘^smoke” and break up, whereas cycad wood “woolies
up,” as they say, and grips. Even it fails and goes to
pieces in wet weather. Now this “woollying up” is the
secret of its supremacy, and comes about in this wise.

The woody zone or xylem (only 0.40 in. in my 10
inch section), is broken into spurious “annual rings’
by the intermittent cambium layers, which, though they

July, 1925-

The Queensland Naturalist.

31

decay, still leave zones of weakness. There are three in
my specimen (0.133 in, wide), and it is further segregated
out by the medullary rays, winch average 0.20in. apart;
so that the Avoody strands are not only rather loosely
held together, but divided into segments, like the strands
in a rope. The isolated fibro-vasciilar strands further
help the Avoollying out, and the armour-sheathed bast
riug holds all together, till it scrubs like a coco-nut husk.

The only other woods tlie timber-gefttu-s fancy, and
these in a secondary degree, are yielded by the grass-
1]-ees and treeferns, in both of which the Avoody fibres
are isolated. The only hardAvood they find is of any use
is that of Banksia. (T think it is B. integrifolia, that being
■commonest on our mountains.)

Now in wet Aveather these woody fibres shrink. If
you’ve ever had to turn out of your warm bed on a wet
night by a tAvanged and parted tent-rope you’ll appre-
ciate this iwoperty, or if you’ve had to coil down a wet
cable. The result is the contracting fibres snap Avith the
grinding friction, and the brake-block goes to pieces.
Like the policeman’s, the timber-getters’ lot is not
ahvays a happy one.

0

BIRDS OBSERVED DURING THE NATURALISTS’
CLUB CAMP OUT AT
CAMP MOUNTAIN, MAY 2-4.

(By W. B. Alexander, M.A.)

During the two days spent in the locality, 47 species
were identified. The birds seen in the forest eountr.A^ and
the cleared paddocks Avere mostly the common species of
the district, and it is not necessary to enumerate them.
The most interesting Avas a Crimson Rosella or Lory
(Platycercus elegans), a bird I have not seen so near
Brisbane before. A great part of the country is fairly
thickly covered Avith lantana, and the thickets of this ob-
noxious plant seemed eA*eryAvhere to contain Coachwhip
Birds (Psophodes olhmceus), whose notes Avere constantly
heard.

32

July, 1925^

The Queensland Naturalist,

From the ornitholoo'ical viewpoint, the most interest-
ino' spot in the district was a small area of “scrub” re-
maining in a valley not far from the aboriginal “bora-
ring.” It was too far from the camp to be properly ex-
plored, bnt two brief visits were imid to it. Unfortunately
the undergrowth of Lantana is so thick that it is almost
impenetrable. In this patch of scrub the following species
not seen elsewhere in the district were noted: Rufous
Thrush (Colluri'eincla megarhyncha ), I’ied Catennllar-
eater (Campephaga leueomela), White-browed Scrub-
wren (Sericoruis frontalis), Lewin Honey-eater (Meli-
l)haga lewini), Little Cuckoo shrike, (Graucalus mentalis).
Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria australis). The Scrub-wrens
Avere especially plentiful and were singing loudly.

o

CORRECTIONS.

The following corrections should be made in Mr.,
midge’s “Notes Accompanying Exhibits,” which ap-
peared in the last number of the “Queensland
Naturalist.” In the last line of paragraph (a) for In-
dooroopilly read Yeerongi)illy, and in first line of para-
graph (e)"for Myrmelleon read Myrmelcon ; also on p. 2.
of proceedings for pharaeanthera read Phoraeanthera.

•l-v

* ' t

PROPOSED SYLLABUS OF MEETINGS
JULY— DECEMBER, 1925.

Saturday, July 11. — Darra, object mainly geological.
(Leader, Dr. E. O. Marks).

Monday, July 13. — Evening Meeting.

Satuiday, Jiiily 25, — Botanic Gardens. (Leader, Mr. E.
W. Bick, Curator.)

Sunday, August 8, — Upper Brookfield (all day). Train
to Indoorcopilly, thence by motor waggon.

Monday, August 17. — Evening Meeting.

SaDirday, August 22. — Sunnybank, object mainly botani-
cal. (Leader, Mr. C. T. White, Govt. Botanist)

Satuiday, Sept. 12

Monday, Sept. 14. — Beerburrum, Object, general. (Leader,
Mr. C. J. Smith.

Siituixlay, Sept. 19. — Wild Flower Show.

Satunlay, October 10. — Queensland Museum. (Leader,
Mr. H. A. Longman, Director.)

Monday, Oct. 19* — Evening Meeting.

Sunday, October 25th. — Goodna and Woogaroo Scrub
(All day).

Monday, November 10. — -Evening Meeting^

Thursday, Ib^cember 21 — Fiiday, Jan. 1. — (Xmas — New
Year). Cpotharaba Lakes.

PRICE 1/.

VOL. V., No. 3. NOVEMBER, 1925

. . the . .

Queenslana naturalist

Journal of tDo

Queensland naturalists’ Club

AND

nature-covers Ceague.

The Poetry of Earth is never dead," — Keats.

The Author of each Article is responsible for the Statements
expressed therein.

CONTJENT&5 ; page

Proceedings ... ... ... 33

Fossil Remains of Man ... 35

Note Accompanying the Exhibit of a Bag-Moth ... 36

Notes on the Bird-Life of Amity Point 38

Vertical Growth of Trees ... ... 41

A Beautiful Buprestid 42

The Eucalypts or Gum Trees of Brisbane District ... 43

Insects of the River Mangrove 46

The White-Winged Black Tern.. 47

Fruit of Acronychia imperforafa 48

Obituary 48

The Carter*Watson Co. Ltd. Printers, Bri.sbane,

The Queensland Naturalists’ Club

- AND -

Nature-Lovers’ l eague.

Official Journal — The Queensland Naturalist.

0

OFFICK BKAlRKUS,

0

Patron:

Sir Matthew Nathan, G.C.M.G.

President:

Mr. W. B. Alexander, M.A,

Vice-Presidents :

Mr. H. A. Longman, F.L.S., and Mr. J. C. Smith.

Jdon. Secretary :

Mrs. W, M. Mayo,

Roseberry St.. Highgate Hill, South Brisbane.

Hon. Excursion Secretary :

Mr. J. C. Smith

(C/o Muiray Fraser. Charlotte Street, Brisbane).

Hon. Treastirer : Mr. F. B. Coleman
(Dept, of Agriculture, Brisbane).

Hon. Librarian : Miss E. Baird.

Committee:

Dr. £. O. Marks, i A., B.E. Mr. R. L. Higgins.
Mr. D. W. Gaukrodger. Mr. L. Franzen

Hon. Lanternist : Mr. W. J, Sanderson.

Hon. Editor, Naturalist : Mr. C. T. White, F.L.S.
(Govt. Botanist, Botanic Gardens, Brisbane).

Subscriptions :

Ordinary Members 10s. per annum.

Country Members 5s. per annum.

Nature-Lovers’ Certificate, 4d.

MI':KTINCiS:

Evening MeetinKs are held at the Brisbane Women’s Club Rooms
Albert House, C/r AIi>ert and Ann Streets, Brisbane,
on the third Monday of every month.

Excursions are held once or twice a month from March to December.

TTjli.Vj. !•/.

Cbc Queensland naturalist.

JOURNAL OF THE QUEENSLAND NATURALISTS’ CLUB
AND nature-lovers’ LEAGUE.

V’oi. V. November, 1925 No. 3.

PROCEEDINGS.

EVENING MEETING, 20th July 1925.— The
president (Mr. W. B. Alexander) occui)ied the chair.
The principal business of the evening was .a lecture
illusti*ated by Mr. H. A. Longman on ‘'Fossil Man — Some
Recent Discoveries a number of specimens of skulls
and casts and also a series of lantern slides were given
in illustration of his remai’ks.

Some fine specimens of Pseudotaenia ajax, a beauti-
ful buprestid beetle were tabled by the late Mrs. Ilobber.
— ^Dr. E. 0. Marks exliibited specimens of a Net Fungus
(Clathrus sp.) in the egg stage.

EVENING MEETING, 17th August, 1925.— The
president (Mr. W. B. Alexander) occupied the chair.
The principal business of the evening was the screening
of a number of slides prepared by Mr. R. L. Higgins, of
Queensland Wild Flowers; the slides were explained by
the Government Botanist (Mr. C. T. White). Mr. R. L.
Higgins exhibited a few seeds of Macrozanonia maero-
carpa, a native of the Malayan region, and extending to
New Guinea. Mr. W. B. Alexander exhibited a volume
of Dampier's “Voyage to New Holland, etc., in the year
1699,^’ containing the earliest illustrations of Australian
plants. Mr. G. H. Barker exhibited a flowering spray of
Boronia pinnata from Stradbroke Island, collected by
Mr. Thos. Welsby, who stated that the flowering season
was early this year. The exhibit was commented on by
Messrs. White, , Herbert, Longman, and Nixon. Mr.
White suggested the desirability of making exact pheno-
logical observations, and this suggestion Avas supported
by the President (Mr. W. B. Alexander) who thought
that a list of common species, checked over several
seasons, Avould be useful to all.

34

Nov., 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

Mr. II. A. Longman exhibited a portion of a paddle
of an Iclihyosauriis from the Cretaceous of Western
Queensland, also a piece of vesicular basalt sent to the
Queensland Museum from Galah Creek as a fossil
sponge.

WILD FLOWER SHOW AND NATURAL
HISTORY EXHIBITION, 19th September, 1925,—

The annual Wild Flower Show this year was
a decided success, both from the display of ex-
hibits and the attendance of the public. It is
estimated that between 800 and 1000 people visited the
Albert Hall during the afternoon and evening. A great
deal of the jsuccess of the show Avas due to the Hon.
Secretary (Mrs. W. M. Mayo) Avho spared no efforts in
working to bring about this desirable result.

Competition among the school exhibits was very
keen, and the judges (Messrs. Herbert and White) found
considerable difficulty in awarding the prizes. The
schools successful in obtaining prizes for their respective
districts were: — North Coast (Yandina), South Coast
fCanungra), Granite Belt (Stanthorpe), Downs and in-
land (Ravensbourne) .

There Avas a good display of Avild flowers from
different parts of the country. One of the outstanding
features of this year’s exhibit was the Avonderful display
of wild flowers of the Upper Albert River, staged by
Mrs. S. and Mr. Densil Curtis. The flora of Tambourine
Mountain, was again well represented by a fine collec-
tion of orchids and other floM^ers. staged by Miss Hilda
Geissmann. Stradbroke Island Avas Avell re])resented by
flo Avers collected by Mr. Thos. Welsby, Mr. W. M. Mayo
and others, and the Moreton Bay table, with its
Boronias and lOther flowers, AA^as much admired.

Exhibitors to the general display of Avild flowers
were: Messrs. Welsby, Mayo, Simmonds, Young, Barker,
and Morwood (floAvers from Moreton Bay) ; Mr. R. A.
Campbell, floAvers from the Northern Rivers District.
Ncav South ‘Wales; Mr. and Mrs. Pegg (Burleigh
Heads), Miss Mabel Birt (Molendinar), Miss Murphy
(Brisbane), Dr. E. 0. Marks (Brisbane), Miss Hope Webb
(Caloundra), Mrs. Gordon (Burleigh Heads), and Miss
Wood (Rockhampton).

Representative collections were sent by the Natur-
alists' Club of the following States: — New S^uth Wales.

Nov., 1925.

The Queensland Naturalist.

35

South Australia, and Western Australia. These exhibits
attracted a great deal of attention, and surprise was
expressed at the excellent manner in whicli the flowers
had carried.

Mr. Hayes, of Kyogle, forwarded specimens of wild
flowers, also a specimen of the mistletoe (Notot!)ixos
su])aureus) growing direct on a host tree.

Thanks are also due to the Director of the Botanic
Hardens }(Mr. E. W. Biek) for the loan of native plants
in pots for decorative purposes.

A fine series of the more striking shells of
Moreton Bay was staged by Mr. J. H. Simminds, Senr.
In entomology, exhibits were staged by Misst Illidge (But-
terflies) and Mr. L. Fi’anzen (Neuroptera). Mr. Hermann
exhibited some beautiful examples of South 8ea Islands
mat-Aveaving. The Queensland Museum tabled an ex-
hibit illustrative of the animal and bird life of the
State. The photographic section, in charge of Mr. W.
J. Sanderson, Avas an outstanding feature of the shoAv.
Among those contributing to it Avere: — Mr. R. L. Hig-
gins (coloured photographs of \Adld floAvers), Mr. Fenton
Robinson (nature studies), Mr. Gaukrodger (bird studies
from Central Queensland), Mr. W. R. Colledge (photo-
micrographs of rotifers and other i)ond-life), Miss
Geissmann (Nature Studies from Tambourine Mountain),
;ind Mr. Sanderson (scenic vicAVs). A number of early
coloured plates of wild floAvers Avas shoAvn by Mr.
Davies.

FOSSIL REMAINS OP MAN.

Resume of Lecture delivered before the Queensland
Naturalists’ Club, 20tli July, 1925, by Mr. Heber A. Longman,
Director, Queensland Museum.

The lecturer gave a brief account of the fossil
remains of man, A\ith special references to some of the
more recent discoveries.

The outstanding characteristics of the following
remains Avere revicAved;^ — Eoanthropus, or the Piltdown
Man, the Talgai Skull from Queensland, the Boskop
Skull from the Transvaal, Homo rhodesiensis from a
cave in Rhodesia, the Wadjak skulls from Java described
by Dubois in 1920, the fossil teeth from Nebraska

36

The Queensland Naturalist.

Nov., 1925

(Il(‘sptM‘0[)ithecuK), and the Taunts skull described by
Prof(‘ssor Dart as Australopitliecns africanns. Xeander-
thal man and llte famous Pithecanthropus skidl from
Java were also discussed. Tliese remains were illustrat-
ed by casts and lantern slides. Althou^jrh tliese literally
'‘dry bones’* mi^ht not seem attractive, the subject was
i most fascinatin*? one. and shoidd appeal to all natur-
alists. The sio'nificance of some of these fossils bad been
exapr^erated, and in one or two cases reconstructions had
appeared in the ])opular press that were not strictly
warranted by the evidence. Certain fossils were so
fragmentary that their real significance was in dispute.
There vms xindoubted evidence, lunvever, for the exist-
ence of men /)r proto-men in the past that were far
lower, and in several respects more ape-like, than the
most primitive races livinjx to-day. It was also evident
that the rang-e of vaviahility exhibited by men to-day.
lemarkable though it was, Avas quite inadequate to
aeeount for the greater divergencies found in the past.
These facts, in the opinion of the lecturer, shed definite
light on the ancestry of man. and, even on fossil evidence
alone, afforded ])roofs of liuman evolution.

— ^ 0

NOTF ACCOMPANYING EXHIBIT OF A BAG-MOTH
(Thyridopteryx herrichii.) CASE FORWARDED
BY MR. C. McKENZIE. YALEBONE
CREEK, VIA ROMA.

Hy R. Illidge.

The larva of this particular species (Ihe male moth
of which is very thinly scaled on the wings, and hence is
somoAvhat bee-like in appearance) builds its long oval
case of seA'en segments, each being strongly ribbed
lengtlnvays, and connected Avitli a circular rib to)) and
bottom, ft is suspended by a tube of silk from the anter-
ior end, which is attached to a twig or otlier object, and
has also another at the ])osterior end. Hotli these tidies
are finely ])leated and ca]>able of considerable expansion ;
the first is used by the larva for feeding pnrpo.ses, and
can be detached, and the case moA^ed by it as required,
until just before its change to i>upa it is firmly fastened
down ; the second, or anal tube, is for the ejectment of
frass, and also as hereafter described.

The case of this species is composed of very strong-
AvoA'en silk entirely free from tAvigs or leaves. Tn another

Nov., 1925

The (Queensland Naturalist.

,V

species, Thyridopteryx (Ilyalarcta) liubneri, the simple
^^ilken balloon case is quite hidden under a dense sliinjjle
cloak of pieces of tlie leaves of the ])lant on which it
feeds. A"ain, in Metura (Oiketicus) elon^ata, 1ho
dwelling of which is several inches long, also of the same
strong silk, but covered with short pieces of twigs from
half an inch to about an inch in length, Avhereas CMania
ignobilis, another remarkable form, makes a cylindrical
silken dwelling, and uses three or four sticks much
longer than it, filling in with shorter pieces strongly
interwoven between.

Of the family Psychidae, to which these curious
insects belong, are other genera and s])ecies Avhieh are
Australian, though the family is probably cosmopolitan.

A remarkable fact about the economy of these in-
sects is that the female never leaves the pupa-shell, but
the male is ])rovided with a long extensible abdomen so
as to be able to reach inside the case for the purpose of
fertilization of the female, the latter having no trace of
wings, but is just a piqm-like bag of ova, which hatch
out in her body, as in various bloAV-flies, emerging there-
from, and passing out through the anal tube of the case
to form their own habitations and carry on the Avork for
which nature intended them.

Of all these species, the shingled bag-moth is prob-
ably the greatest pest about Brisbane, and foAV trees are
exempt from its attacks.

ITaAung cut open and examined the internal arrange-
ments of the case of T. herrichii obtained by Mr.
McKenzie, it Avas at once seen to be that of a female
fiom the eggs of Avhieh young laiwae had escaped. The
empty body (a shell) is surrounded by a soft but very
strong Avhite silk, which fills up the entire cavity between
the bod.y and case, being especially dense round the
body of the insect. There is no evidence that the eggs
are extruded from it into this pnvelo])ing silken mass.
The extrusion, therefore, must be from the anal ex-
tremity of the body into the tube and of living larA'ae,
that are capable of passing through, as has been fre-
(piently observed.^

Ib-ofessor McCoy, in the ‘‘Prodi'omus of tlie Zoology
of Victoria,” states From observations made by Mr.

*It is a moot point as to A\meither the female is or is
not able to push her anal extremity into the tube, and so
expand it to pass out the larvae from her body.

38

Nov., 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

Kershaw, that the female remains in the pupa case, and
this hardened covering splitting open for a short distance
at the posterior end allows of all the functions necessary
for a continuance of the species, and immense numbers
of young are brought forth, not in the egg state, as
hitherto supposed for all moths, but as exceedingly
minute perfect larvae.” This, he states, “is confirmed
hy no eggs having been found in the cases.”

However, the eggs are contained in the body of the
female, and hatch out therein, the larvae not being ex-
truded into the silken case, where the}’' would be
entangled and smothered in the mass of silk, hut Issuing
forth from the elastic posteri tube of same in long
strings, which, upon reaching their objective food plant,
each larva proceeds to make its own tiny case, and
after each eedysis, foiuns a new one. Prom this same
tube the male moth issues from the case in which it is
contained, as may be seen from the cast skin of the pupa
hanging therefrom. The anterior end of the ease being
sealed up by its suspension, cannot be used for that
purpose, consequently the male larva changes its posi-
tion in the case before pupation.

0-

NOTES ON THE BIROJiIPE OF AMITY POINT,

STRADBROKE ISLAND, AS OBSERVED
DURING THE EASTER CAMP-OUT, 1925.

By W. B. Alexander.

In such a brief, visit at a time of the year when birds
are comparatively silent, it was not to be expected that
a very large list of species would be compiled. 1
identified just 40 species, but several that 1 did not meet
with were observed by Mrs. Mayo and Messrs. Young
and Bai'ker.

The extreme northern end of Stradbroke Island did
not appear to present such a variety of habitats as is
found at the southern end, scrub or jungle being entirely
absent. The bird-life was to a considerable extent
divisible into zones corresponding with the vegetation,
and it may perhaps be.st be treated from this standpoint.

Beginning at the northern end, the first species to
claim attention are the sea-birds. Of these the diving
birds which obtain their food by following fish under
the water were represented by the Pied Cormorant or
vShag (Phalacrocorax varius) .small parties of which fre-

Nov., 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

39

quently passed the camp on their way to and from their
fishing grounds. Of the terns, which also live on fish,
but obtain them near the surface by plunging down
from the air, I only identified the Caspian Tern (Ilydro-
progne caspia) and the Lesser Crested Tern (Sterna
bengalensis) but Mrs. Mayo noted several other species.

Of birds which gain their livelihood chiefly by pick-
ing up dead marine creatures washed up on the beach or
floating on the water, but which may occasionally snatch
;i fish from near the surface, I noted numerous Silver
Gulls (Larus novaehollandiae) and Whistling Eagles
(Haliastur sphenurus), also several White-breasted Sea-
Eagles (Ilaliaetus leucogaster) and a pair of White-
headed Sea-Eagles (Haliastur indus.)

The wading birds, which gain their livelihood by
probing the mud-banks and flats at low tide in search
of worms and molluscs seem to retreat to the wide sandy
ocean beaches to sleep during the periods of high tide.
Large parties of them passed the Point in flocks, coming
in through the South Passage when the tide was getting
low, and going out when it was rising. Most of these
v/ere Siberian visitors, which were due to leave us with-
in a few -weeks for their northern breeding grounds,
though many of them always seem to remain behind in
Moreton Bay, where most of the species are to be seen
all the year round. As the flocks of waders flew past
h was difficult to identify them, but the commonest were
Sea Curlews (Numenius cyanopus) Bar-tailed Godwits
(Limosa lapponica) and Lesser Golden Plovers (Pluv-
ialis dominicus). I noted one of the last-named on the
beach near the creek in full breeding jfiumage, with a
deep black breast.

Two local waders, which spend the whole of the
year on our beaches, and breed there, were also noted :
The Red-capped Dotterel (Chai^adrius ruficapillus) and
the Pied Oyster-catcher (Haematopus ostralegus.)

Proceeding inland we find behind the beach a greater
or less extent of grassy dunes with fresh-water pools in
their hollows, the latter sometimes full of rushes. This
being the only open counHy in this part of the island,
certain birds which like open spaces seemed to be con-
fined to this belt, and to the clearings near the houses.
Most characteristic is the Australian Pipit or Ground-
lark (Anthus australis), but other bu'ds which I noticed
here and not further inland were the Welcome SAvallow
(Hirundo neoxena) and Peaceful Dove (Geopelia

40

The Queensland Naturalist.

Nov., 1925

X^lacida.) Those two familiar birds the Black-and-White
Fantail or Willie AVag^tail (Khi})idura leitcophrys) and
the Magpie-lark or Peewee (Grallina picata) seemed to
be commoner in the clear area tlian further inland. Tliere
is little doubt that the clearing of bush-land for cultiva-
tion has led to a great increase in the numbers of these
two species in Australia generally. They did not ai>])ear
to be specially common on this islandj where clearing
has not been attempted.

On the banks of fresh-water swamps in the cleared
area I saw a Black-fronted Dotterel (Charadrius
melanops) and a White-fronted Heron or Blue (’rane
(Notophoyx novaehollandiae), birds which T did not see
elsewhere.

Just south of the creek mangroves begin to fringe
the coast and extend thence soutlnvards. I did not
explore the mangrove belt, which doubtless shelters the
four s])ecies characteristic of the mangrove formation in
Moreton Bay, viz., the Mangrove Bittern (Butorides
striata), Mangrove Kingfisiier (Halcyon chloris), Man-
grove AVarbler (Geiygone eantator) and Pasciated
Honey-eater (Meliphaga faseiogularis).

Penetrating inland from the o])en grassy dunes at
the north end of the island one comes to higher sand-
hills covered with trees, amongst which banksias pre-
dominate. Tn this belt the White-cheeked Honey-eater
(Meliornis sericea) was very abundant, but it was also
found sparingly further inland.

The central part of the north of the island appeared
to consist of ridges clothed with a variety of trees and
an undergrowth of bracken, alternating with swamps
surrounded with tea-trees. Here T met with a considerable
variety of perching birds on the timbered ridges or in Fhe
tea-trees, but the swamps and reed-beds seemed to be
entirely destitute of bird-life.

Everywhere in this countrv the Brown Honey-eater
(Stigmatops ocularis) was by far the commonest bird,
and its varied notes, some of them very harmonious, were
heard on all sides. Other nectar-lovers present were the
Leatherhead (Tropidorhynehus cornieulatus), Little
Friai*-bird (Philemon citreogularis), Sanguineous Honey-
eater or Bloodbird (Myzomela sanguineolenta), AYhite-
ehinned Honey-eater (Melithreptus albogularis) and
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet or Greenie (Trichoglossus
chlorolepidotus.) The insect-eaters included the Grey

PLATE I.

Cablia^jo Ouin (Anjtjophoia Janreolala), Warwick.
l*liotof»rai>h<Hl June ;i, 101:^.

Oabbaf>e (Jum (Aiis*>phora lanceolata) . Sanu‘ tree as above.
Photographed April K), lihi.l.

I

Nov., 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

41

Fantail or Cranky Fan (Rhipidura flabellifera), Rufous
Fantail (R. rufifrons) Brown Tit (Acanthiza pusilla),
White-rumped Wood-Swallow (Artamus leucorhynehus),
Wliite-Throated Tree-Creeper (CTimacteris lencopliaea),
and Golden-breasted Whistler (Pacliycephala pectoralis).
With regard to the latter bird, it -was remarkable that
no males were seen, though birds in female plumage were
fairly frequent. In at least one instance the bird had
a considerable amount of yellowish colour beneath tlie
base of the tail, a characteristic of the females of this
species, which T have previously noted on Stradbroke
Island, but not on the mainland adjacent. Other birds
seen in this country were the Crow (Corvus cecilae),
Collared Batehei'-bird (Cractieus torquatus), Black-
faced Cuchooshrike or Blue- Jay (Graucalus novaehol-
landiae), Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis),
Mistletoe-bird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum) and Red-brow-
ed Finch or Red-head (Aegintha temporalis). At night
a Boobook Owl (Ninox boobook) was heard calling, and
one afternoon a Wedge-tailed Eagle or Eaglehawk
(Uroaetus audax) was seen soaring high over the hills
and trees.

0

VERTICAL GROWTH OF TREES.

Mr. Conrad C. Dornbusch, of Warwick, writes: —
^‘From time to time there have appeared in the news-
papers discussions as to whether the limbs of trees grow
upward as the tree increases in height. I send you here-
with two photographs of the same tree, taken from ap-
proximately the same view point, but with an interval of
12 years.

The tree in question is a cabbage gum (Angophora
laneeolata) growing on the line of a fence. The fence
rails were housed into the trunk some years before 1913,
and the bark grew round the ends of the rails for some
little distance on each side. A comparison of the two
photographs wdll show that the ends of the rails are
practically in the same horizontal position now as they
■were in the year 1913, and I should regard this as good
evidence that the lateral limbs of a tree are not carried
up wdth the growth of the tree.

(The point raised by Mr. Dornbusch has often been
discussed, and there are several references in Australian
literature to the effect that tlie bole of a tree below' the

42

rile Queensland Naturalist.

Nov., 1925;

main branches increases in length. The matter has been
dealt with in a paper by Mr. R. 11. Cambage (Journal
and Proceedings of the Royal Society of N.S.W. Vol.
52. p. 377) who carried out experiments with the dilferent
trees by means of tacks and nails driven into the
trunk at intervals of about 1 foot, and his experiments
went to prove that once a young tree throws out definite
branches the portion of the stem below such branches
will increase in diameter but not appreciably in lengthy
and acts as a strong base upon which the superstructure-
may be erected. — Ed.)

0

A BEAUTIFUL BUPRESTID (Coleoptera.)

By the late Mrs. F. H, Hobler.

Pseudotaenia ajax is a beautiful insect belonging-
to the family of Buprestidae, and in Master’s catalogue,,
classed with the Chalcophora. It is foiind in the North-
ern and Western parts of Queensland, and mostly, if not
always, inhabits the brigalow scrub.

Diiring part of the day it feeds on the leaves of the
Blackbutt (Eucalyptus sp.) frequently right at the top
of these big trees.

During the hottest parts of the days — November
and December — they seek out the brigalow (Acacia har-
pophylla trees, coming down quite low on the trunks
where they may be found by collectors. However, it re-
quires a quick eye and hand to capture them even Avith the-
aid of butterfly net. Also every care has to be taken
not to rub off the beautiful yellow pollen Avith Avhieh
the insect is striped. The female lays her eggs on the-
bark of the brigalows; preferably on an injured or half
dead tree. The young grubs or laiwae then Mmrk their
way into the trunk, really feeding as they go, as they
exist on the Avood, or rather the juices extracted from it.

When fully matured the larva Avidens the hole lead-
ing out to the bark, then retires as far back as possible,
Avhere it in due course emerges into the perfect beetle.
The Ajax noAv Avorks his Avay out of the hole until
stopped by the hard bark of the brigaloAv, through Avhich-
he bites his Avay. Surely Mother Nature has Avisely pro-
vided this delay to alloAV the insect time to dry and

PLATE II.

l?hio Giiin (Eucalyptus tercticoriiis) , Goodna, near Hrisbane

—Photo. C.T.W.

Nov., 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

45-

harden. The outer world of sunshine beingr reached, the
Ajax, with a buzz, is off to seek his dinner.

I may here mention that the blackbutt trees arp
often to be found in the scrubs where the brigalow
grows. In searching for Ajax, the collector strips the
bark from the latter trees, and if fortunate, finds the
large hole of the larva, which may contain a fully
matured insect.

Once, Avhen staying with friends a few miles out of
Warra, a little township on the Roma line, I found on
a small plain numbers of these much valued Buprestidae,
dead and discoloured by the sun. Numbers had also
]»een washed into the catches of the water tanks.

0

THE EUCALYPTS OR OUM TREES OF THE
BRISBANE DISTRICT.

By C. T. White, F.L.S., GoA^ernment Botanist.

IV.

(Continued from the ‘‘Queensland Naturalist”
Vol. V., p. 16.)

5 Eucalyptus t^reticomis (Blue Gum.)

Description. — A tree attaining a large size, the trunk
rather glossy marked with large red, blue or greyish
patches. Coppice (‘Csucker^' or “stump"') shoots quad-
rangular, Avith leaA’es A'eiy broadly ovate, 3 to 4 inches
long, and mostly over 2 inches Avide. As the coppice
shoot or young tree groAvs, the leaA^es assume more of the
adult form, the branchlets become terete, and the leaA'cs
in this stage attain a large size, np to 10 inches long
and 3 inches Avide. Grdinary (adult) leaves, narrow-
lanceolate, straight or more or less falcate; the upper
part tapering to a long acute ai>ex. Petiole 4 to f inch
long; blade 5 to 8 inches long, to 1 inch Avide ; the
midrib distinct, main lateral neiwes oblique, fairly AAude
apart (the distance varying from 2 lines to i inch) inter-
mediate A^eins and reticulations distinct in the dried leaf;
iutramarginal vein distinct, i to 1 line removed from the
edge; floAvers in 2 to 7 flowered umbels, the umbels borne
in the leaf axils; the peduncle about ^ inch long; calyx
tube turbinate, tapering at the base into a slender pedi-

44

The Queensland Naturalist.

Nov., 1925

cel, measuring with the pedicel about i inch long; oper^
•c-iilum variable usually narrowly conical averaging about

1 inch long with the apex pointed, sometimes much
shorter Avith the apex rather blunt. Stamens about ^
inch long, the filaments sometimes a deep pink, anthers
small Avith parallel cells, each cell opening by a longi-
tAidinal slit; seed-capsules variable 3 to 4 celled, sub-
globose 3 to 5 lines diani; the rim about 1 line broad,
sloping, valves protruding.

Distribution. — A native of Eastern Australia, from
Gippsland, In Victoria, to North Queensland. Tt extends
to Papua. It faA^ours alluvial flats and creek banks, but
is not confined to such localities, being common on the
tops of hills and mountains, e.g., Taylor's Range, near
Brisbane.

Botanical Name. — Eucalyptus (see under No. 1) ;
tereticornis from the tAvo Latin A\"ord teres, rounded and
cornu, a horn, in allusion to the shai)e of the oi>erculum.

Common Names. — -KnoAvn almost universally in
Queensland as “Blue Gum." In Ncav South AVales it
Uiost commonly goes under the name of ‘‘Forest Red
Gum."

Timber. — One of the best general hardAAmods of the
genus; generally used for all building purposes, especi-
ally for parts exposed to the AA^eather.

Botanical Reference. — E. tereticornis Smith, in
ShaAV and Smith’s “Zoology and Botany of NeAV Hol-
land." A^ol. I, p. 41 (1793.)

6. Eucalyptus propinqua (Grey Gum.)

Description. — A large tree, the trunk xisually dull,
marked Avith large leaden-grey patches or for the most
])art leaden-grey in colour. Coppice (“sucker") leaves

2 to 5 inches long, 1 to 2 inches Avide. Ordinary (adult)
leaves straight or more or less falcate, the upper part
tapering to a long acute a])ex, j^etiole ^ to 1 inch long,
blade aA’eraging about 5 inches in length. A^ery variable
in Avidth (f to nearly 2 inches Avide), midrib distinct;
main lateral nerves obliciue, indistinct mostly about 2
lines apart, intramarginal Amin indistinct and Amry close
to the edge, sometimes not distinctly Ausible even in the
ffT‘ied s])ecimens, FloAA^ers in 2 to 7 floA\mred umbels in
the axils of the leaves. Peduncle flattened ^ to i inch
long; calyx-tube narroAV turbinate, tapering at the base
into the short flattened pedicel, measuring Avith the

PLATE III.

Grey (iiun (Kucalyptus propiiiqua), Taylor’s l{anf»o, Brisbane.

—Photo. C.T.W.

K

D-

L'

<

•]

Nov., 1925

The Queensland Naturalist. 4^.

pedicel 3 to 4 lines, operculum conical shorter than tiie
tube. Stamens about i incli long; the anthers small witii
parallel cells, each cell opening by a longitudinal slit..
Seed capsules broadly turbinate or almost hemispherical,
variable in size, but mostly 2 to 3 lines in diameter, 3 to*
4 celled, the rim flat or slightly raised, valves exserted.

Distribution. — A native of Eastern Australia, rang-
ing from the Ilawkesbury River, in New South Wales,
to the Blaekdown Tableland, (’entral Qiieensland. Tt is
a A^ery common tree in the neighbourhood of Brisbane;
it grows on a variety of soils and favours alluvial flats
and rainforest (‘scrub edges, in both of which situa-
tions it attains a very large size, and has a fine clean
symmetrical bole. In drier localities, such as Taylor’s
Range, etc., the trees are smaller and more irregular in
growth.

Botanical Name. — Eucalyptus (see under No. 1);
propinqua, Latin meaning near, refering to its close-
affinity to E. punctata, an earlier described species.

Common Names. — Known universally in Queensland
as “Grey Gum.”

Timber. — A useful hardwood of excellent (juality.
The trees, however, are generally very faulty.

Botanical Reference, — E. propinqua Deane and
Maiden in Proceedings Linnean Society of New South
Wales. Vol. 20, p. 541 (1895) Plate 43.

Note, — In his “Critical Revision of tlie Genus
Eucalyptus,” Vol. 6, p. 54. Mr. J. IT. Maiden makes a
new variety (var. major) and amongst the localities
gives Norman Creek, near Brisbane. The species is A'ery
variable in size of leaves, floAvers and buds, and T cannot
follow Mr. Maiden in raising the coarser forms to varie-
tal rank.

0

CORRECTION.

Mr. R. Tllidge writes that the word Phoracanthera,
which appeared in his “Notes Accompanying Exhibits”
in the April issue of the “Queensland Naturalist,” and
which Avas repeated in the July issue, should read
“Phoracantha.”

46

The Queensland Naturalist.

Nov., 1925

INSECTS OF THE RIVER MANGROVE

(Aegiceras majus,)

<Notes taken on Excursion of the Queensland Naturalists’
Club to Luggage Point, Brisbane River, 3rd June, 19 25.)

By R. Illidge.

The 1‘iver mangrove, though much neglected by
entomologists, is the host plant of several interesting
insects. Among these is a species of xyloryct, the
perfect insect of which (a moth) has, if known, not yet
been identified in connection Avith this tree. At present
I can only show the larval forms with the covering wel),
as is usual in the majority of these species. The larvae
when taken in the sticks, were eating the leaves of the
plant, whicli they had cut off and carried to their holes
to devour at tlieir leisure, free of trouble from enemies.

Another species in larval and pu])al stadia is a
member of the cossidae, which was named (hdama ex-
pressa some years ago by the late Dr. T. P. Lucas, from
specimens obtained by me some three miles down the
river from Bulimba. Jt is extremely destructive to the
plant, as was seen by the state of a stem submitted.

In Coleoptera is a fine Longicorn of the sub-family
Cerambycides named Tryphocharia Mitchelli, which
lives in the laiwal state in the stems of this tree. This
beetle T obtained in numbers many years ago when liv-
ing on tlie North Quay. They were not uncommon on
the mangroves which lined the river banks at Milton.

Amongst other insects is a butterfly rather notable
as having recently been discovered as a local species hy
Mr. D. Curtis; his .find has been verified by Mr. Franzen,
from Amity Point, during the late excursion thereto.
The butterfly is well known from the north, and appears
to be plentiful in Yeppoon; it may now be looked for
all along the Queensland coast where this tree grows.
Tt is a beautiful species of the Lycaenidae, known as
Miletus apelles, of a fine coppery red on upper surface,
the under being richly varied with shining green and
red markings. Mr. Curtis found the larvae associated
with ants, as is so common in this family.

The sweet smelling flowers also are very attractive
io great numbers of butterflies and moths, likewise other
insects galore. Amongst butterflies, Euploea corinna,
Hy])olimnas nerina, Nymphalis sempronius, Delias

Nov., 1925

The Queensland Naturalist.

47

nigrina, Delias nysa and Catopsilia pomona were noted
by me, but Mr. Pranzen, who travelled fixrther afield,
■saw several Lycaenid species. Sempronius is an unusual-
ly late species.

N.B. — Miletus apelles.— ^Tliis butterfly appears to
me to be a migrant from its northern habitat. The
mangrove (Aegieeras majus) was for two or three years
under almost weekly observation, and I failed to see
anything of it. All my specimens were from Mackay
northward to Cooktown. Of another species Miletus
epicurus, I obtained a long series and distributed many
specimens amongst friends. Miletus ignita of Leach has
also been captured very frequently at the flowers. The
whole genus is notable for the beauty of the species, all
of which glow with spots and bands of golden green and
bright red on the under surface. My late collection
contained all the species known, except M. }>olycletus
rex, and of them the most ■ resplendent Avas our
Brisbane form of Miletus delicia, Hewitson.

0

THE WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN
(Chlidonias leucoptera),

(With Notes on Terns observed during the Easter Excursion
of the Naturalists’ Club to Stradbroke Island.)

By Mrs. W. M. Mayo.

When crossing Moreton Bay, between Myora and
King Island, I observed a pair of birds that looked un-
usual. On close examination I found that the birds were
a pair of the rare (for the Southern hemisphere) black
tern. The seas in that part of the bay were heavy, and
the birds swooped over the seas picking up food in the
same way as the Gull-bill Tern. I did not see them dive
at all. About eight years ago T observed several of these
birds in Moreton Baj^ but have not seen them since,
until this year. The velvety black bodies of the birds
had a few oval grey or greyish white patches on them.
The plumage seemed in process of changing.

The terns obseiwed in Moreton Ba}^ during the
Easter Excursion of the Club included : — Crested Tern
(Sterna bergii) ; Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne easpia)
very plentiful; Gull-bill Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica)
rather few; White shafted Ternlet (Sterna sinensis);
Lesser crested Tern (Sterna medifli) and the Black Tern.

48

The Queensland Naturalist.

Nov., 1925.

FRUIT OF ACRONYCHtA IMPERFORATA—

A “WILD ORANGE. “

Mr. J. H. Scbmeider, of “Seaview,” AVatlaqan, N.C.
Line, recently wrote me as follows : —

“I enclose herewith a specimen of a local scrub tree,
which 1 have heard some people call ‘‘Wild Orange T
Mmuld be glad of the identification. The fruit in colour
is a sort of yelloAvish-white when ripe, it has a single-
stone, hard, and with an uneven vsurface, round in shape,
tlie kernel is covered with a fairly thick tough flesh,
which comes away from the stone. The flesh is astrin-
gent. The average sixe would be about three-eighths
of an inch in diameter. It has four divisional marks,
but I do not think the fruit would burst o])en. A school
boy here became violently ill a couple of evenings ago,
after eating soine of these “AVild Oranges.’’

(The fruits forwarded by Air. Scbmeider were those
of Acronychia imperforata, a very common tree in South-
eastern Queensland. The tree is particularly abundant
in light rain forests or “scrubs” or scrubby patches
bordej'ing on the coast such as is found on foreshores
often behind the mangrove formation. — C, T. AVhite.)

0

OBITUARY.

Tt ■was with much sorrow that members of the
Queensland Naturalists’ Club learrit of the death last
month of Airs. AI. T. llobler. The late Airs. Ilobler took
an active part in the work of the Llub, and for a short
time served on the council. The deceased lady \vas of
a very genial disposition, and much beloved by all who
knew' her. She was a daughter of tlie late Air. Geo.
Barnard, of Goomooboolaroo. Duaringa, Central Queens-
land, a well known student of nature, wdiose home in the
early days of Queensland w'as the resoi-t of naturalists
from all parts of Australia as w^ell as other countries.
The entire family wms imbued wuth tlie father’s love of
natural history, and his sons are amongst our foremost
students in entomology and ornithology.

Airs. Ilobler wms a contributor to various papers on
nature study, and besides the contribution in the present
issue, the “Queensland Naturalist” is indebted to her
for the following: — Frog-eating (’arahs, April, 1921:
A\Giy the Birds Should be Protected, Alarch. 1923: Nature-
Notes, September, 1923; Coleoptera, found on AToretorr
Island, September, 1924.

I

/

^i5jf=5:?s

PRICE 1/.

VOL. V., No. 4 . JANOAEY, I926 i

. . Cfie . .

Queensland naturalist

nournal of tbc

Queensland naturalists’ tZlub

AND

nature-Eovcrs^ Ceague.

The Poetry of Earth is ?iever deadf — Keats.

The Author of each Article is responsible for the Statements
expressed therein.

CONTENTS : paqr

Proceedings 49

The Eucalypts or Gum Trees of Brisbane District ... 51

A Naturalist in the Philippines 53

Obituary 64

Annual Meeting Inside Back Cover

The Carter-Watson Co. Ltd.. Printers, Brisbane.

The Queensland Naturalists’ Club

- AND -

Nature-Lovers’ League.

Official Journal — The Queensland NaiuraUsi.

0

OFFIC15 BK^VUEKS, lOUH.

0

Patron:

Sir Matthew Natlian, G.C.M.G.

President:

Mr. W. B. Alexander, M.A.

Vice-Presidents :

Mr. H. A. Longman, F.L.S., and Mr, J. C. Smith.

Hon. Seci'etary :

Mrs. W. M. Mayo,

Roseberry St., Highgate Hill, South Brisbane.

Hon. Excursion Secretary :

Mr. J. C, Smith

(C/o Murray Fraser, Charlotte Street, Brisbane).

Hon. Treasurer: Mr. F. B. Coleman
(Dept, of Agriculture, Brisbane).

Hon. Librarian : Miss E. Baird.

Oommittee:

Dr. E. O. Marks, B A., B.E. Mr. R. L. Higgins.
Mr. D. W. Gaukrodger. Mr. L. Franzen

Hon. Lanternist : Mr. W. J. Sanderson.

Hon. Editor, Naturalist : Mr. C. T. White, F.L.S.
(Govt. Botanist, Botanic Gardens, Brisbane).

Subscriptions :

Ordinary Members 10s. per annum.

Country Members 5s. per annum,

Nature-Lovers* Certificate, 4d.

M KKTINGS:

Evening Meetings are held at the Brisbane Women’s Club Rooms
Albert House, C/r Albert and Ann Streets, Brisbane,
on the third Monday of every month.

Excursions arc held once or twice a month from March to December.

(447'0r<i.,. M.,

Cl)c Queensland naturalist.

JOURNAL OF THE OUEENSLAM) NATUtOALISTS’ CLUB
AND nature-lovers’ LEAGUE.

VoL. V. January, 1926 Xo. 4.

proceedings.

October — November, 1925.

EVENING MEETING, 19tli OCTOBEK.— Tiie Presi-
dent (Mr. W. B. Alexander) oeenpied the chair, Mr. C. T.
^ White (Government Botanist) gave a brief report on an
f excursion to Sunnybank. The principal business of the
evening Avas the screening of a number of lantern slides
of bird life from photographs taken on Alice Downs
station. Central (Queensland, by Mr. D. W. Gaukrodger.
Mr. Gaukrodger remarked that the area Avas one Avith a
very rich avifauna. He observed as many as 140 species
of birds diAring a year of residence there. Among the
slides Avere unique ])hotographs of brolgas, i)urple backed
Avren, Australian bustard, reed Avarblers, peaceful dove,
black-backed Avren, Avhite-f rented heron, and a A'eiy fine
series of tlie spotted boAver bird, nests, young, and play-
ing boAvers. Mr. W. B. Alexander exhibited a number
of objects from the boAvers of the satin boAver bird, and
spotted boAver bird respectivelj^- A marked feature Avas
that the objects from the playing grounds of the former
Avere blue, and those from the playing ground of the latter
green and Avhite. Mr. J. E. Young described the play-
ing ground, and boAver of a northern species of boAver
bird, AAUiich he had seen on Cape York Peninsula. In this
ease the bird decorated its boAver Avith green berries, and
the green capsules of the bloodwood (eucalyptus corym-
bosa). When the capsules became dry and broAAm they
were discarded, and fresh ones gathered.

A number of preserved specimens of aatW flowers
from Western Australia Avere forwarded for exhibition
by ]\Iiss Allum, of Perth. The specimens were commented
upon by Mr. D. A. Herbert. Mr. H. A. Longman exhibit-
ed on behalf of Mr.s. W. M: Mayo, one of the plates of the
plastron of a turtle. The speeimen Avas picked up in
Moreton Bay, and probably came from the green turtle.
Mr. J- E. Young exhibited a speeimen of a black snake

50

The Queensland Naturalist.

Jan., 1926

from Stradbrokc Island, and stated that this species on
Stradbi’oke Island attained a comparatively large size,
lie also exhibited two smaller snakes from Kingaroy,
determined by Mr. Longman as tlie red naped snake
(Psendalaps diadema) and the pale headed snake (Hoplo-
eephalus bitorquatns) respectively.

]\liss Baird exhibited from Tamboxirine Moiintain a
lizard (Lygosoma reticulatum) characterised by the
possession of extremely rudimentary limbs. Mr. C. T.
White exhibited a piece of the fungus Xylostroma gigan-
tieum, taken from the interior of a bloodwood tree felled
at Kingaroy by Mr. W. L. Osborne. The fungus, which
is of the appearance and texture of leather, is sometimes
found filling the gum-veins of eucalyptus timbers of the
bloodwood type. It has been suggested that it is the
root-stage of the large polypore (Polyporus eucalyp-
torum).

EVENING MEETING, IGth NOVEMBER.— The
President (Mr. W. B. Alexander) occupied tlie chair.
Dr. E. 0. Marks gave a brief accoiint of the visit of
members of the club to Petrie’s Quarry on Saturday
afternoon, 4th Noveml)er. The locality is rich in fossil
mesozoic plants, and some fine impressions of Thinnfeldia
(a fossil fern) and Baiera (a fossil gymnosperm) were
obtained. Mr. J. C. Smith exhibited two shells from the
Great Barrier Reef, one a fine specimen of Haliotis, with
a beautiful green shining colouring on the under side of
the valve. Mr. D. A. Herbert exhibited a number of
pliotographs of Westei’u Australian trees and plants. Mr.
Mann exhibited a ease of Tabanid flies of the genera
Tabanus, Osca and Silvius. Mr. C. T. White exhibited
specimens of two trees from Goodna, (a) Eugenia Fran-
cisii, a giant Avater gum only described a few years ago
from Kin Kin in the Wide Bay district, but now found
to extend from that district to the Northern Rivers of
New South Wales, and (b) Hormogyne continifolia,
shoAving eA’idenee of haAung been heaAuly eaten down by
stock. Mr, W. B. Alexander exhibited photogi'aphs of
Sooty Terns, at Oyster Cay, on the Barrier Reef- Mr.
Alexander suggested that under proper methods the col-
lecting of birds’ eggs on the reef might become a profit-
able industry Avithout serious detriment in any Avay to
tlie birds thomselA-es. Mrs. W. 1\I. ^Mayo exhibited leaves
of various species of Rubns from tbe Lamington National
Park.

Plate IV.

\arrow-l<*itVe<1 Utx-y (;un£ ( Kiit'iily]>iu.s Seoaiia.)
Siinnybaiik, iK'ar BrisbaiK*.

— Plioto. C.T.W.

h

n

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Jan., 1926.

The Queensland Naturalist.

51

THE EUCALYPTS OR GUM TREES OP THE
BRISBANE DISTRICT.

By C. T, White, FiL.S., Government Botanist.

y.

(Continued from the "Queensland Naturalist,*’
Vol. V., Page 45.)

7, Eucalyptus Seeana (Narrow-leaved Grey Gum.)

Description. — A larj^e tree, tlie trunk usually dull,
.and marked with large leaden-grey patches as in E.
propinqua. Coppice (“sucker’') leaves variable, mostly
loss than an inch in widtli, and usually very long atul
narrow (some specimens at liand only J-ineh wide, are
■(> inches long, atid others sliglitly udder, are only about
2 inches long). Ordinary (secondary or adult) leaves
lanceolate, usually somewhat falcate, the U]>i)er ]>art
tapering to a long acute apex, petiole -J to J inch long;
blade usually long and narrow, to 8 inches long, i to
f inch wide; midi'ib distinct, main lateral nerves
-oblique, distinct, as also aia' tlie finer Tierves betu'een
them, mostly about 2 lines apart: iutramarginai vein
distinct and very close to tlie margin. Flowers in simple
2 to 7 flowered umbels in tlie axils of the leaves, peduncle
\ to ^ inch long. Calyx-tube turbinate, tapering at the
base into a ratlier distinct iiedicel. measuring with pedicel
2 to 4 lines in length, (dperculum narrow conical l/drd
I 0 4 inch long, usually ta]>ering to an acute apex. Seed-
eapsules broadly turbinate or almost hemispherical,
about i inch diam ; the rim forming a prominent band
round the top of the capsule; 3 to 4 celled, valves
■exserted.

Distribution. — Nortli-ea stern New South Wales and
South-eastern Queensland. Tt is very abundant in the
neighbourhood of Brisbane, but its exact geographical
range has yet to be ascertained. In the past it has been
confused Avitb E tereticornis, on the one hand, and E.
propinqua on the other.

Botanical Name. — Eucalyptus (see under No. 1) ;
Seeana in honour of Sii’ John See, one time Premier of
New South Wales.

52

Tile Queensland Naturalist.

Jan., 1926'

Common Names. — Xarrow-leaved Grey Ginn, has also-
been referred to as the Nari'ow-leaved Glu^ Gum ; the
bark characters are more or less those of the Grey Gum
(E. propinqna), but sometimes the upper ])art of tlie-
trunk is inclined to be g'lossy, the leaf and bud charac-
ters are those of the Blue Gum (E. tereticornis), the
fruit partakes of some of the characters of both, possibly
it is a hybrid between the two species.

Timber. — Little is known definitely about the timber,,
and reports are conflicting.

Botanical Reference.^Euealyptus Seeana, J. II.
I\Iaiden in Proceedina*s Linnian HocietA'. X.S. Wales, Vol.
2!h p. 469 (1904.)

No. 8. — Eucalyptus hemiphloia (Gum-topped Box.)

Description.— A large tree with a typical dark grey
‘‘box'* bark on ti’iink and basal ]iart of main branches,
branches and branchlets smooth, the shed bark often
hanging down in long ribbons from the forks. Coppice
(“sncker or stump'') shoots (juadrangular in the very
young stage hut soon rounded, the leaves on coppice
shoots often attaining a large size, uj) to 9 inches long
and .1} inches wide, broadly oA'ate or irregtilarly lanceo-
late. thick and coriaceous in texture, commonly but not
always obliipie at llie base, main lateral neiwes and intra-
marginal vein distinct, the latter usually some distance
from the edge (in the larger leaves it may be removed
as far as :{-incii) except at the base of the leaf, Avhere it
runs almost on the edge for a sliort distance. Ordinary
(secondary or adult leaves) usually broadly lanceolate
or very slightly falcate, blunt at the apex, tapeidng at the
base to a ])etiole or leaf stalk of f-ineh; lamina or blade
somewliat variable in size, mostly 4 fo 5 inches long and
1 to LJ inches wide, main lateral neiwes oblique, some-
times conspicuous, at other times not very distinct, but
ahvays clearly discernible, a A'ariable distance (-[ to 4
inch) apart, intramarginal vein J to 14 lines from the
margin, often closer in the lower than in the upper half
of the leaf, intermediate veins and reticulations not dis-
tinct even in the dried leaf* FloAvers in umbels, the
umbels forming terminal panicles but the fruiting ones
usually lateral below tlic leaves; umbels 9 to 10 flowered,
the peduncle more or less flattened, one-third to half
inch long, including the thick j)edicel : operculum conical
pointed. 2^ to 8 lines long. Rtamens about 4 inch long,.

Plate V.

Guiii-toppe*! 15 ()\' (Puculyptus liemiphloia.)
J liii'ra , 11 <.*{1 1‘ Pi'isba iie.

-Photo. C.T.W.

i

i

f

r

I

I

I

I

Jan., 1926

The yueeiibiand Natur.list. 53

antluH's very small, ^jlobiilar, each cell opening by a
lateral, comparatively large pore. Seed capsules obovoid
or rarely broadly turbinate, about I inch long and 2
lines diam, on pedicels, about 2 lines or almost sessile,
deeply sunk 3 to o celled, rim narrow, valves short, not
]>rotruding.

Distribution.— TIas a wide distribution ranging
through Queensland and New South AVales, and varieties
occur in Victoria and South Australia. Tn Queensland it
I’anges fj-om the Sontheim border to Rockhampton, and
extends from the coast to about 150 miles inland.

Botanical Name.— Eucalyptus (see under No. 1) ;
hemi])hloia from tlie Gi*eek hemi, lialf and phloios bark.

Common Name. — Known universally in Queensland
as '‘Gum-topped Box.^’

Timber. — A useful liardwood, but uot cut to any
extent ; it is subject to grub holes.

Botanical Reference. — E. hemiphloia E. v. iMueller.
in Fi-agmenta . Phytogra])]iiae Australiae. Vol 2. p. 6
^860). J. IT. Maiden in his “Gritical Revision of the
Genus Eucalyptus,” Vol. 2. p. 14 has some interesting
notes on the naming of this species.

0

A NATURALIST IN THE PHILIPPINES.

(By D. A. Herbert, M.Sc., Department of Biology,
University of Queensland.)

(Resume of Lecture delivered before the Queensland
Naturalists’ Club. 18th May, 192 5.)

Tn 1521 Ferdinand Magellan landed in the Philip-
pines after having circumnavigated the globe for tl)e first
time. He converted the natives of (.'ebn to Christianity
and laid the foundations of Spanish dominion in the
Philippines. Shortly after hi|S arrival he was killed in a
skirmish, hut his sueessors, using Cebu as a base, ex-
tended Spanish influence to Maynila, a Mohammedan
village on the island of Luzon. Tlie christianizing of
the Tndios was vapidly effected in the northern ]mrts of
the Archipelago. Avhere Mohammedanism did not liave a

54

The Queensland Naturalist.

Jan., 1926'

Strong hold, iind religion was a tie wliieli bound tlie
colony strongly to S])ain. 8])anish ctdture spread tlirongh
tlie islands, Spanish names were given the inhabitants,
and the old feud between Spaniards and Moors found a
home in a new land where the flame of hatred between’
Christian Filipinos and tlie Mohammedans of the South-
(rn Islands was kei>t alight by constant raids and ]ietty
warfare. This antipathy persists to the present day.-
The Spaniards never bad a very strong hold over the
Moros of the South, and even at the time of the Ameri-
can Occupation of 1898, these people were, for the-
greater part, only nominally tinder Spanish rule.

The most primitiAe of the races occupying the
islands are the Negritos, a race of pigmies with frizzy
liair, and a decided Malayan east of features. These
liltle people have been driven back into the mountains,
where they wander naked, gleaning a miserable living'
in the forests. Their agriculture is very primitive, and"
where it exists at all, consists of the planting of rice in
holes dug in forest clearings. The first Malays avIio'
colonised the islands Avere primitive peo])le driven
into the mountainous districts by subsequent waves of
immigration of more highly civilised Malayan races from'
the south. These successive wha'cs. together Avith chance
admixtures from other sources, have resulted in a col-
lection of ])eo]des. more or less related, but differing
considerably from one another etbnologieally, culturally,
and linguistically. The principal nations are the Negri-
tos. the primitiA^e Tgorots of the northern mountains, the-
llocanos. a hardy pioneering and colonising people, the
Tagalogs, who inhabit the south of Luzon and adjacent
islands, and Avho are the most energetic and progressive
of th(‘ Filipinos, the Visayans fi’om the middle of the
Archipelago, and the fierce Mohammedan Moros of the
south. Avho are still nominally goA’ei-ned by the Sultan of
Sulu. There are numerous sub-divisions of each of these
nations, and smallei' groups quite distinct from them.

The Chinese had traded along the Philippine coasts-
long before the coming of the Spaniards, and many had
settled and married into the eoimtry. China had at one
time an extended empire embracing part of the northern
ishnid. and cA'er since steady immigration has been going
on. and many of the highest Fili])ino families ha\'e been'
founded by Chinese. The Chinese at present dominate
Philippine trade, and in most of the A'illages the largest

Ja".. 1926

Thr Queensland Naturalist.

55

stores and mort^ajres on the native property are held
by Chinamen, mainly from Canton and Amoy. Periodi-
cal massacres testify to their popularity.

Tn the eif?hteentli century Britain captured Manila
and held the islands for some years. When they were
handed back to Spain, many of the British Indian troops
were demobilised and settled on the Island of Luzon.
Their descendants form a lar^e and distinct unit of the
]>opulation.

Tlie Spanish occupation has had a ju'ofound effect
on the Filipino peo])le. One of the cliief policies of
Spanisli colonial administration is the vesting of local
authority in a ‘ ‘mestizo’' or half-caste class. Constant
inter-marriage dnring the last three hundred years has
produced an aristocracy with a large admixture of
Spanish blood and with strong Spanisli sympathies.

The houses of tlie wealthier classes are built in the
Spanish style, and the old walled city of INIanila is a
transplanted piece of old Spain with its immense stone
churches, narrow streets and stone houses. The native
houses are of a similar type to those of other Malayan
countries. Tliey aie usually built with a bamboo frame-
work; the roof is a tliateh of the leaves of the nipa palm
(Xipa fruticans): tlie walls may be composed of either
nipa leaves or of wOAcn bamboo, and the floor is of
strips of split bamboo laid side by side. Tlie house so
constructed is very cool and airy, and very pretentious
buildings are often built in the same style as that of the
native hiits. With the increase in the price of labour,
however, it has become cheaper to use wood and gal-
vanised iron, but the resultant structure, though more
durable, is not nearly so comfortable. It has the im-
portant advantage of not harbouring so many cock-
roaches as the original type does.

The whole of the Archipelago lies well within the
tropics, and, except in the colder mountainous regions,
tlie agricultural crops are tropical. Rice is the staple
food, and great stretches of the lowlands are laid
out in paddies. Rice is raised in seed-beds and the
seedlings transplanted by hand into the fields. A dis-
tinct race, the upland rice, is grown on hillsides in
forest clearings. Fnlike lowland rice, tliis does not need
submersion in water for its growth, and is very useful to
the poorer people who own no rice land. The trees are

56

'1 he yueensland Naturalist.

Jan., 1926

oleaied from a patcli of forest and the rice planted in
holes clu-x with a long piece of bamboo. It produces one
ci'op and then seeds, and second-growth trees take ])0s-
session of the pateii. It is clieaper to abandon the cdear-
ing and cnt down a fresh patcdi of forest than to clear
tJie weeds and undergrowth, and conse(iuently large
areas of virgin forest are constantly being destroyed
by tins wasteful eaingin system. In time the forest re-
invades The gi*ound. but very often the trees are dif-
ferent fi-oiii tliose originally peopling it. In the northern
mountains, where rice cultivation has been practiced
for hundreds of years, the Tgorots have evolved a won-
derful irrigation scheme. Tlie mountain sides are ter-
raced almost to their summits, and the streams diverted
so tliat they flow on to tlie topmost terrace and thence
to tliose below. The sight of hundreds of terraces rising
one above tlie other to tlie summits of mountains tlioii-
sands of feel In lieight, each caipied by a green cap of
rice, is ti-enieudously im]n‘essive, and the work is con-
sidered one of the Avonders of the Avorld. One A’ariety
of rice grown on the terraces lias a red grain. Tt has a
fine flavour, hut it is hard to sejiarate from the husk,
and the ]>ieces of adhering chaff spoil its appearance
Avluui it is cooked.

Tlie tobacco ]dantations of the Philippines Avere
('riginally under Spanish control. The natives Avere
alloAved cigars at the rate of one to each family, the
balance of tlie crop to be turned oA^er to the company.
Tliis regulation A\ms easily obseiwed. A tremendous
cigar— large enough to last a Aveek — Avas made and hung
from tlie roof by means of a cord, and the AAdiole family
took it in turns to have a smoke. Though the restriction
is no longer in force, the custom of making a family
cigar is still common in the Xoi th of Luzon. Tobacco
raised in the Philippines is of excellent quality, but the
Itaf is subject to a fungal disease AAdiich spoils its ap-
jioarance. so that wraupers for Manila cigars have to be
inpjoited from Sumatra.

Manila TFcm]) f^Iusa textilis) is a jdant very largely
cultivated rluougliout the islands; it does not thviAu^
elseAvhere. so that hem]) raising is ]n*actically a Pliilip-
])ine monopoly. In some districts bunchy top exists, but
the Avorst enemies are the borer rPosmopolites sordidus)
and heart rot. The latter disease is not fully under-
stood, but seems to be a mixed infection Tisually follow-

Jan., 1926

The Queensland Naturalist.

57

in" on tlie attneks of the borer. Maguey (Agave can-
tula) and roselle (Hibiscus sabdarilfa) are also fibre
plants raised extensively in the islands, but do not ap-
proach Manila hemp in importance. The juice of mag-
uey is very irritating, and causes inflammation of the
hands of the strippers.

Most of the common tropical crops are raised suc-
cessfully. Amongst them are pineapples, taro, yams,
mangoes, coconuts, siigareane, and i)apaws. Pineapple
pulp is frequently allowed to become infected with a
mould, and the resultant fermented sweet Qiada de
pina) is A^ery highly esteemed. The sugary saps of the
buri palm (Corypha elata) and of the coconut (Cocos
nucifera) is collected by cutting off the inflorescence
and attaching a bamboo tube to the cut end. The sugary
sap collects in the tube and is fermented to produce a
wine known as tuba. Pice Avater is also fermented to
produce sake, but the quality of the product A'aries
greatly Avith the locality. Coconuts are floated down the
riA^er in circular rafts, constructed by tying the coco-
nuts in twos AAuth partially detached pieces of their
husks, and intertwining them witli one another.

Most of the industries are ])rimary and the main ex-
ports are copra and hemp. A considerable trade is car-
ried on with Australia, the bulk of the meat coming
from Wyndham and Port Darwin. At present there is
a certain amount of agitation against the importation
of Australian cattle because of the outbreak of ])leuro-
pneumonia in Western Australia. A number of horses
are also imported from the Northern Territory and Ihe
North-west, and are used by the American army and a
few liA^ery stables; most of them, howeA'er, come from
the Tmited States. They are a striking contrast to the
small natiA’e horses, whicli are em])loyed in tlionsands
tlu'ougliout the islands to draw ealesas, wliieh are the
local e(]nivalent of the rickshaw.

The pig is found Avild in Philippine forests, aud this
natHe form is the one vdiicli is domesticated. Almost
every family pos.sesses one cooped under the house and
fed through a liole in tlie floor. Attem^jts haA'e been
made to introduce Berkshires and other foreign breeds,
but they soon die OAving to the attacks of the kidney
AA'orm. A cross between a native variety (the Jala-Jala)
and Rerksliire seems to be fairly resistant and is a great
'improvement on the original razor-back. Goats and

58

'I he Queensland Naturalist.

Jan . 1926*

bhee)> ai*e occasionally met with, but are not common.
The commonest beast of burden is the buffalo. This-
animal is exceptionally docile under native management,
but lias a ^reat antipathy for a white man. Albinoes are
fairly common, but are not worth as much as the brown
or black ones, because they are regarded as being liable*
to liglitning stroke. Buffalo milk is very rich, but milk
of any sort is not used much by the Filipinos, though a
dairy in Manila, using Australian cows, does a fair
amount of business amongst the foreign residents. These
cows are killed when they go dry, and fresh ones im-
ported, Breeding locally is unsuccessful, partly owing
to their susceptibility to lunderpest. Indian humped
cattle are fairly numerous and breed well, but are
generally used as beasts of burden and are not milked.

In the mountains of Benguet the dog is the main
source of meat. The animals are starved for a week and
then given a big feed of rice. Immediately afterwards-
they are beaten to death and grilled over an open fire.
All except the last few inelies of the alimentary canal
is eaten.

A peculiar article of diet is the balut, which is
really a boiled, practically incubated, duck egg. The
eggs are packed in heated rice husks in trays, and left
(0 incubate. At a period ranging between 14 and 21
(lays they are removed, tested for vitality, and the good
ones (usually about 90 per cent.) boiled. The centre of
balut manufacture is the country round Manila, and
one factory I'as a theoretical capacity of thirty thousand
dail.w The hatching season is mainly confined to the
months of November and December.

On the average the diet of the Filipino is very poor:
Tlie mail! item on the daily menu is polished rice, often
flavoured with hogaong (a sauce made of fermented
fish.) This is supplemented with a few vegetables, and
f'ccasionally some pork or fowl. As a consecpience beri-
beri is common, and the infantile death-rate is high.
Efforts are being made to encourage the natives to drink
milk and to sup]dement their diet with mungos and
other beans which will supply the necessary vitamines.
Malaria is common, but the malaria 7uos(|uito flies mainly
after about nine o^clock at night, and can be avoided
to a certain extent. Ilookwoian and other parasites take
a heavy toll of the energy of tlie ])eo]fle. and a recent
examination of Tmiversity students showed that most

!jA.T>riNA...

Jan., 1926

The Queensland Naturalist. 59^

of those failing in their examinations were infected
with hookworm, and often with other worms as well
The carbon tetrachloride treatment has been found very
effective in such eases.

Rabies is a disease which is commonly met with,
and deaths of human beings occur now and then. The
Pasteur treatment is available at the Bureau of Science
in Manila, but the native doctors genej-nlly treat cases
by a special method of their own. The Bureau of Science
at times treats forty or fifty people daily, and the treat-
ment is highly successful. The treatment given by the
native doctors, howevei-, gfuierally results in death. It
^ consists in partially I'oa sting the dog’s brain, dividing
: it into two. applying one lialt to tlie bite and making
r an infusion of the other for the patient to drink.

The native doctor is xisually a herbalist and treats
the symptoms and not the disease itself. In a great many
cases he is very successful, and a numher of the reme-
^ dies used have a decided pharmaceutical value.

Animals. The Philippine monkey is common in most
Cl the forests, and is a decided nuisance in the neigh-
bourhood of orchards. During the heat of the day he
sleeps in the tree-to]is. and about five o’clock in the
evening starts on its excursions. A ]iei*d may consist of
any number from four or five up to thirty or forty, and
it can cover a tremendous aiea in a short time. There
is a definite system in their hunt for food. In a large
tree the several numibers eltoose different branches,
,inmping from the ends to neighbouring trees. They do
not jump for any particular branch: any leafy mass
seems sufficient landing. The various memiiors are thus
scattered and often out of siglit op one anotlior, but tliey
keep in touch by grunting loudly at intervals. If the
observer keeps still the monlceys do not usually notice
him, and devote their attention to tlip selection of green
shoots, flower buds and fruits. If, however, he moves, a
warning cry goes up and is repeated by tlie othei* monkevs
who have not noticed. The old man of the lierd will
often come forward jumping threateningly from branch
to branch, uttering snarling barks, while llie other mem^
bers travel off at top speed, juin]>ing from tree to tree,
the mothers Avitli the baby monke_vs clinging to their
necks.

'The Qaeetisland Naturalist.

Jan., 1926

^60

Often in tiio forest ;i feral odour near- a tree indi-
cates tile nest of tlie niusano- or civet. This animal hunts
at ni"ht and is one of the Avoi’st enemies of the [Kuiltry
farmer. It is about the size of a large opossum, and usuall.y
moves from tree to tree, thougli if nt'cessary it will take
to the ground, dound settlements one of its common
methods of travelling is to run along electric light wires
upside down. Snakes, particularly the python' (P.
reticulatus) are also destructive to poultry. The ])ython
is sometimes thirty feet long, and is greatly feared. More
dangerous, however, is the cobra (Nada Nada philip-
pinesis). This snake is usually found in cogon country,
('ogon (Tmperata exaltata) is a tall grass attaining a
height of nine feet. Tt grotvs as thickly as a wheat field,
and a path must be cut through it because it is out of
the question to force a Avay through it. Quite commonly
it is the experience of natives to cut a clum]) with a
machete and come face to face with an angry cobra.
A common liouse snake is Lyeodon anlicus, a harmless,
slow-moving species, which has to be kicked off the path
before it will move. Little burrowing snakes (Typhlops
s])p.) are commonly found in flower pots. When ]mlled
ont they curl round the finger and exert (juite a strong
pressure. The natives are afraid of them, because they
think they cut the fingers off. In the rice paddies a
poisonous species, the rice snake (Dryophis |>raeocu-
laris) is found, and has a reputation as bad as that of
the cobra, though il^ is not very deadly. One of the worst
Phili]ipine xmisonons snakes is a green viper (Tromere-
surus flavomaculatus). This reptile has a very large
head, and is about a yard in length.

Ijizards are very numei‘ons and varied. Geckos
(Gekko ,gecko) are common in houses, and are active at
right on the roof and walls, catcliing white ants, moths
and other insects. Their hoarse call, consisting of a
series of harks of “gecko, gec*ko.“ can he heard half a
mile away. A flying lizard (Draco spilopternsL with
a s])iny crest, is occasionally fouiul in the forests. The
colour is usually green, hut it can change to brown in a
few minutes. A very common house lizard is (‘osyiuhu-
tus platyurus. Dozens of tliese little geckoes are found
in almost every house in the country, and in most of
those 'in the city. They like to come round the lights,
vdiere the trouide of catching insects is reduced to a
minimum. A large lizard attaining a length of over six
leet and furnished with a forked tongue, is common in

Jan., 1926

I'ho Queenslanci Naturalist.

61

forests and grasslaTids. Tliis reptile often robs fowl-
yards, carrying off the poultry and biting the heads off.

Birds. One of the most interesting birds of the
Phili]>pine foj’ests is the wild fowl ((Talliis sonuerati.)
Generally a rooster is accompanied by several hens, and
the chances of getting near tliem are very small, as they
are very strong fliei’S. To hear the roosters cro^eing in
tlie jungle and answering one another np the mountain-
side is a peculiar experience. In the silent forest the
scund is identical witli that lieard in cities early in the
morning. The natives say that the bones of the wild
fowls are mncli darker than those of the domesticated^,
variety. The domestic, fowl is one of the charaetei’istic
features of Philippine life, almost every family owning
at least one figliting cock. The cock-figlits are generally
held on Sundays, but are slowing yielding popularity in
favour of the moving picture shows. The oriole, a
large yellow bird, is a beautiful sight in the kapok
trees, when tliese are in full bloom, as" it moves from
flower to floM^er amongst the red blossoms. The kala\c,
a hornbill. is commonly met witli, and is hunted, partly
because it is an easy mark, and partly because it is es-
teemed as a delicacy. Snipe are abundant in certain
districts, and are bunted at night in the rice paddie.s.

Bats are common in the forests and live largely on
figs and other wild fruits. During the day time many
of them roost in houses, and at night return with their
gatherings from the forest. These they eat in the ceiling,
dropping the rubbish on to the floors and fm’niture
]?elow. In the northern mountains these fruit bats are
very large^ and form a welcome change from dog meat
for the Tgorots. Tlie method of catching them is ini cr-
esting. The bats usually fly no higher than they can
help, and when passing over ridges between their roosts
in the eaves of the mountains, choose any low saddle
rather than the higher parts. The Tgorots cut the trees
from these saddles and arrange a net across. The bats
fly into the net, and a bell attached to the meshes tells
the watchman that food is at hand.

The eaves used by the bats are also used by the
Tgorots in the catching of birds. A fire is built at the
mouth of a cave and the men beat the bushes in the
valley below. The roosting birds are frightened out and
fly upward.s, are attracted to the light, and fly into the
oaves, where they are killed with sticks.

‘62

The Queenslafid Naturalist.

J in., 1926

During the diy season loeusts cause a terrific
.amount of damage throughout the Islands. Flights often
darken the sky for hours. When they have passed by,
the ground is bare and brown; shrubs and trees are
stripped of their leaves and branches, and broken down
tvhere masses of the feeding insects have settled. Con-
irol is at present largely in the liands of local authori-
ties, and their main activity is the driving of the locusts
to the next community. As soon as a flight arrives, the
inliabitants, men, women and children, turn out with
tins and sticks and head them off with the noise. The
banging certainly has the effect of keeping the locusts
moving, but only ])ostpones their settling for the time
being. T tried the following experiment on a number of
the insects caught during such a flight. The locust was
tied to a piece of thread so that his flying would not be
interfered Muth, and released, the other end of the thread
being held. The result was tliat it flew round in a circle
and tlie rate of flight could be calculated from the num-
ber of circles completed per uuit time, and the diameter
of the circle. The (diiiiese houseboy then beats a tin
at a short distance away. The increase in speed of the
locust flight was indicated by the increase in diameter
of the circle, and was calculated as before. A number of
experiments were carried out in the same way, and the
figures averaged. The normal rate of flight was 3.4
miles per hour, whereas the rate when the tin was banged
was 0.2 miles per hour. The idea of tying the insect
Avith a piece of thread is by no means original. The
native children kee]) loexists, butterflies, and small birds
tethered in tlie same way.

When the loeusts settle on a held, an immense number
of eggs are deimsited, and when these hatch the ground
may be almosi black with hoi>pers. These are generally
surrounded by a cordon of men wlio slowly di'ive them
into a pit six or eight feet deep, by beating the ground
with bushes. The living mass is then tramped down and
covered with earth. Locusts are a favourite article of
diet amongst the lower classes of Filipinos. They are
collected in quantity either by netting during flights or
by shaking from the branches on which they settle at
right. They are killed by immersion in boiling water,
and are then fried and salted. Wings, legs and heads
are removed before eating. The flavour is somewhat like
that of almonds.

Jan., 1926

The Queensland Naturalist.

63

A particularly noxious insect is the cantharides
beetle which comes round the lamps at nig^ht. This
beetle leaves a line of blisters where it has walked across
the skin, and these become very inflamed and painful.
They last for a week or more, and frequently leave a
scar.

One of the least pleasant of night experiences is a
nuptial flight of termites. These insects invade houses
in millions, attracted by the light, and within a few
liiinutes after their arrival the room is so full of them
that all lights have to be put out, and the occupants go
to bed. Avliere the nioscpiito net offers its pi-otection.
The termites that have lost their wings crawl in between
books and into every possible crevice. The small hoTise
geckoes eat till they are swollen out like barrels, and the
cats also account for a great many. (The Philippine eats,
by the way, usually have crumpled tails.)

The number of insects taking part in one of these
nuptial flights is inconceivable. One evening coming
home from Manila T met a flight at ('alamba, about eight
miles from Los Banos. All the way to Los Banos the
the train was passing through a cloud of flying termites
so thick that it was impossible to do anytliing but keep
them brushed away. Xext morning I climbed Mount
Maquiling. which is 3,000 feet high, the distance to its
summit being five miles. All the way up the mountain
side were the wings shed during the previous night’s
flight. The numbers of insects must have been beyond
the power of imagination.

A small black termite is also a nuisance in houses.
Tt does not desti’oy timber, but nests in clothing and
behind furniture, caking everything with mud. A
migration of these black termites is very interesting.
They move in a long column, tAvo or three abreast, and
at intervals of about a quarter of an inch on both sides
sentries stand facing outwards. Interference with one
of these results in a commotion spreading down the line
and a stoppage of migration for a minute or two. When
white and black termites meet there is a fierce I)attle,
generally won by the blacks.

Fireflies are very numerous, and show decided pre-
ference for particular species of trees. One of their
favourites is Enterolobium saman, the Rain Tree, round
which they often congregate in such numbers that the

64

The Queensland Naturalist.

Jan., I 926 -'

trees are worth miles to see. It lias been stated

(and denied) that the fireflies in Java all blink at the
same time on any particnlar tree. In the Philippines they
have no co-ordination, but very often a large number
happen accidentally to blink at the same time, and give
the impression of a rhythmic alternation of luminescence
and darkness. Luminescence is also possessed by a com-
mon centipede, which is consequently greatly feared.

OBITUARY.

We regret to record th? death of Professor
Sydney B. J. Skertchly, the hrst President of the Queens-
land Naturalists’ Club. An account of his life and work
will aj)pear in the next issue.

Annual Meetinj

? ^0

•

i The Annual Meeting of the Queensland

I Naturalists’ Club will be held on Monday

•

i evening, the 22nd February (the last Monday

I in the month) at 8 p.m., in the rooms of the

t Brisbane Women’s Club, second floor, Albert
I House, Albert Street, Brisbane.

I Business : Presidential Address, Annual Re-

i port; Election of Office Bearers for 1926;

I Notes and Exhibits.

•

I Members are reminded that they have the

f right to nominate office bearers. Nominations,

I with the written consent of the nominee to

I serve, should be in the hands of the Honorary
I Secretary by Monday, the 15th February.

PRICE 1/.

VOL. V., No. 5.

April, 1926

. . Che . .

Queensland naturalist

Uournai of tbc

Queensland naturalists’ Club

AND

nature-covers’ Ceague.

7'he Poetry of Earth is never deadP — Keats.

The Author of each Article is responsible for the Statements
expressed therein.

< *(>.NTI<:XT>S : PAQK

Proceedings 65

Annual Report 67

Librarian’s Report 69

The Late Professor S. B. J. Skeitchly 70

Naturalists’ Club Movement in Queensland 73

Notes on a Bambu Borer 76

Nature Lovers’ League ... 80

Finances, 1925 Inside Back Cover

Syllabus, 1926 Outside Back Cover

'I'he Carter* Watson Co. I.td. Printers, Brisl>ane.

The Queensland Naturalists’ Club

— AND —

Nature-Lovers’ League.

Official Journal — The Queensland Naturalist*

0

DFFICK IJK^VRKUS,

0

President:

Dr. E. 0. Marks, B.A., B.E.

Vice-Presidents :

Mr. D. A. Herbert, M.Sc., anci Mr. D. W. Gaukrodgen

Hon. Secretary :

Miss E. E. Baird,

Kennedy Terrace, Red Hill.

Hon. Excursion Secretary :

Mr. J. C. Smith

(C/o Murray Fraser, Charlotte Street, Brisbane).

Hon, Treasurer : Mr. F. B. Coleman
Railway Terrace, Wooloowin, Brisbane.

Hon. Librarian : Mrs. J. C. Smith.

Hon. Secretary^ Nature Lovers' League :

Mrs. W. M. Mayo,

■ Roseberry St., Highgate Hill, South Brisbane,

Vommitiee:

Mr. J. E. Young. Mr, R. L. Higgins.

Mr. J. H, Simmonds, M.Sc. Mr. L. Franzen.

Hon. Lanternisi : Mr. W. J. Sanderson.

Hon. Editor^ Naturalist : Mr. C. T. White, F.L.S.
(Govt. Botanist, Botanic Gardens, Brisbane).

Subscriptions :

Ordinary Members 10s. per annum.

Country Members 6s. per annum.

Nature-Lovers' Certificate, 2d.

M Ki*:TixriSi

Evening Meetings are held at the Brisbane Women’s Club Rooms
Albert House, C/r Albert and Ann Streets. Brisbane,
on the third Monday of every month.

Excursions are held once or twice a month from March to December.

Cbc Queensland naturalist.

JOURNAL OF THE QUEENSLAND NATUIO\LISTS’ CLUB
AND nature-lovers’ LEAGUE.

VoL. V. April, 1926 . No. 5 .

PROCEEDINGS.

ANNUAL MEETING, 22nd FERllUARY. 192ti.—
The annual meeting of the Queensland Naturalists’ Club
was held on Monday evening, the 22 nd February, at
8 p.m. In the absence of the President from the State,
the chair Avas occupied by the Vice-president (^Ir. J. C.
Smith). Miss Lowe, Dr. F. \V. Whitehouse, Mr. A,
Moore,, and Mr. W. (iaylard were elected members of the
Club. The Annual Report of the ('ouncil was read and
adopted. The Financial Statement, as read by the lion.
Treasurer (Mr. F. B. Coleman.) showed a eredil l)alance
of £27/18/9. The Ijibrarian (Miss E. E. Baird) rejtorted
the re-eei[)t during- tiie year ofl 280 magazines and papers
by way of exchange. Office-bearers for 1926 Avere elected
as set forth on the cover page of tliis issue. An address
by the retiring President was read by the chairman. A
brief addi*ess on the life and work of the late Professor
Skertchly Avas given by Mr. H. A. Longman, and a brief
account of the history of the Natiu'alist Club movement
in Queensland Avas giA’en by Mr. T.. White.

EVENING MEETIN(t, 15th MARCH, 1926.— The
President (Dr. E. 0. Marks) occupied the chair, and
there was a good attendance of members. A letter Avas
received from the Hon. Secretary, Wild Life Preservation
Society, Sydney, dealing Avitli the evasion of the laAV by
trappers and dealers in sending skins of the native bear
to England and America under the name of wombat.
After some discussion it Avas decided to write to the
Ulnder Secretary for Agriculture and Stock, requesting
that adequate ste]>s he taken to ensure the total protec-
tion of the nature bear.

Mr. and Mrs. Kem Baird, Mrs. E. 0. Marks, and ^Ir.
R. B. MorAVood, B.Sc., Avere elected member.s of the Club.

4

66 The Queensland Naturalist. April, 1926

Mr. (\ DorTihiiscli, of Warwick, sent pliotographs of
the dried bed of the Condaniine Rivei-j showing different
patterns in the mud-craeks, also a pitot ograph sliowing
damage done to a Grey Gum by Itiack cockatoos, the
cockatoos having torn away the bark to get at the larvae
of a beetle. Mr. J. E, Yontig showetl a few lantern
-slides; tliese included tlte jaw-bones of a tiger shark
caught at Amity Point, long streamers of “moss’’ hang-
ing from trees on Mount Stanley, a pine tree with very
tAvisted trunk growing in the State Forest at tdiinchilla,
and grass trees from Kanaipa (Stradbroke Island) with
particularly tine tlowering jxdes. Mr. Young also
exliibite^l the seed pod of the “Native Wistaria’’
(i\lilietia) . A number of aboriginal im|)lements from the
Xortiiern Territory were exhibited by Mrs. Baird, also
.sleeve links made iTom Kibbon Stone fi-om Mount Tsa.
Ml*. G. W. Holland showed a sktdeton of the crncifix cat-
fish from the West Indit's, and a j'tair of cameo-like
otoliths (ear bones) from the head of a Moreton Bay
Jew Fish. Mi’. D. A. Herbert showed a frnit of the
Anstralian Ba<J)ab (Adansonia Gregorii) from Xoidh-
west Australia ornamented by aboriginal drawings of
native animals, also a freak wattle blossom from Palm-
woods. Mr. J. H. Simmonds Junr. showed abnormal
growths in the pineai>ide. Y'lr. Ijaughton showed a
yiieture in coloured sand made by a Queensland
aborigine, also a stone tomahawk liead and the stone
used to grind it. The president exhibited s])ecimens of
a grasshopper identified by Ylr. Tllidge as Acridopeza
reticulata. A case of moths was shown by Mr. L.
Franzen. Miss H. Geissmann exhibited photographs of
(a) the lily lagoon at Plunkett; (b) Goose Swamp,
Lake’s Greek, Rockhampton; (c) Neiumbium sjieciosnin
from the Rockhamplon Botanic Gardens; (d) Melon
Shell-Gymbium fiammeum— an egg capsule; (e) (.)rnate
Spiny Lobster-Palinnrns faseiatus; (f) a series showing
the life history of tlie moth Cheleifferyx collesi.

A note on “How tlu^ Turtle Makes Her Nest/’ by
ATiss Geissmann. avhs read by the Hon. Secretary. The
notes were published in the ‘'Queenslander” of the 16th
January, 1926, and were illustrated by a fine series of
photographs.

Air. R. Tllidge read a short paper on “Some Becent
Avian Visitors,” and showed s])ecimens and pictures in
illustration of his remarks.

April, 1926.

The Queensland Naturalist.

^7

QUEENSLAND NATURALISTS’ CLUB.

Annual Report for the Year 1926.

Your (’oinicil lias [pleasure in snbmittino- the 20th
.Annual Report of tlie (lub. Tlie yeai* lias been a; suecess-
fiil one.

Attendance.— The attendances at (general Meelings
throughout tiie yeai* iias averaged thirty.- Twenty-seven
new members were enrolled and six resignations receiv-
-ed. The niembershix) now stands at 91 financial members,
6 honorary members, and Uvo life members, also 24 un-
finaneial members.

TJie roll during the year was scrutinised, and those
■members’ names were removed who had omitted to pay
their subscriptions for two years and over.

General Meetings.— Exhibifs liave been tabled, and
short deseri])tive pa])ers on the exhibits I'ead by Messrs,
lllidge, Fran;^en, Mann, the late Mi-s. llobler, and various
otlier members at montlily general meetings, and Messrs.
Longman, D. A. Herbert, D. W. (Jaukrodger, Dr. Marks,
Messrs. C. T. White, R. L. Higgins, anti i\Tr. W. B.
Alexander were responsible for interesting lecturettes,
illustrated by lauteru slides.

Obituary. — Your (kniueil records with deej) regret,
the passing of tlii'ee valued (dub members in the iiast
year: Mr. Sydney Curtis, whose hos])ila]ity was at all
times freely extended to felhnv members of the Club,
and who, together with Mrs. ami Mr. Densil Curtis made
the Albert River Exiiibif one of tlie chief features of our
Annual AYild Flower Show. Mrs. Ilobler, at one time a
member of your Council, and a most enthnsiastic natur-
alist and collector, and within the last few weeks, Prof.
S. B. J. Skertclily. Twenty years ago Prof. >Skertchly
was the first president of your newly established Club,
and from the foundation of the dub. in 1906. to the end
of last year, he maintained his interest in the work of
the Club. The iiresciit issue of the “Queensland Natur-
alist” contains an article by lum — the last, alas — of those
witt}^ and interesting articles from his pen that we shall
receive.

Rules.— A much needed revision of tlie rules go^■ern-
ing the Club was carried out by your Couneil during the

68

The Queensland Naturalist.

April, 1926

year; duly ])assed by the general meeting, the rules were
printed and have been distributed amonorst members.

Tent Account. — Through the instrumentality of Mr.
G. IT. Barker your Couneil was able to acquire, just before
Easter, a lar^e iiiaruuee at a cost of £2o, for the use of
the field camps. After the Easter Camp it Avas over-
hauled at a further cost of £3. TIu^ TIon. Excursion Sec-
retary I'eports that it is uoav in good oi*der, and lie hopes
to refund the amount paid to Ihe Club by a per capita
charge at field cam]>s. and an occasional hiring out to-
otlier bodies.

Field Excursions. — The field excursions of the
year just passiul Avere very well attended, and the thanks
of your Council are due to Mr. and Miss Tllidge, Mr. and
Mrs. II. A. Longman, Mr, and Mrs. E. W. Bick, and Mr.
and Mrs. J. Stitt for hospitality extended to cluh mem-
bers and to the staff of the museum for plaeing their
Saturday afternoon at the dis[)Osal of the Xaturalisis.

Easter tiine Avas spent under canvas at Amity Ihint,
Moreton Bay. and Avas very much enjoyed l)y the-
campers-out. Transport arrangements passed olf very
Avell. .V great deal of the success of tlie encampment
Avas due to Mr. Thomas Welsby. Avhose knowledge of
the locality and beauty spots helped the excursion sec-
retary in arranging the daily field Avork.

General.-— In Hie course of tfie year complaints
liave reached your (’oiineil regarding the violation of
Sanctuary LaAVs. Tliese have been [lassed on to the De-
partment of Agriculture and Stock.

After the Toaster cam])-our the President of your
('lub. together witli Mr. G. 11. Barker, brought the open
violation of Stradbroke and Bribie Sanctuaries under
the notice of the rudei* Secretary, ami asked that more
rangers be appointed for those islands, and that pro-
ninent notices of the Animal and Birds Protection Acts
be erected at tlu* different boating rendezA'ous. The
Department promised compliance witli the reipiest, and
Mr. Thomas Welsby Avms made hon. ranger for Amity
Point as a start.

During the year yoiu* Council Avas instrumental
(through the Strathpine Shire Council) in getting the
OAvner of a Avell-defined bora ring at Samford interested
enough to promise' to have the ring preserved by fencing
round.

April. 1926

The Uiieensland Naturalist.

69

The Annual Wild Flower Show and Natural History
Exhibition an outstanding sucL'ess^ due — firstly, to

tlie interest and liel]) of (country friends and school
ehildrtoi-— atnl secondly, to tlie very good work put in
by youi* t'onnci] and general imnnbers.

“The Naturalist. ’^^Your t’oimcil record with satis-
taction the issue (jf four quarterly numbers of the journal
for tin year 192h: Your Editor is to lie congratnlated on
the result of Ids labour, and promises a continuance of
the quarterly journal, if rinb members will do their
share by eontributing sitbject matter suitable for the
journal.

The Nature Lovers’ League.- It is a matter of re-
gret To your (’ouncil that there is nothing to report in
eonneefion with tlie Junior Branch of the Club. Your
Council lio]ie to organise and ])nt the affairs of the
leagiK^ on a better footing this year.

About fifty Nature Lovers’ League Certificates have
been distributed during the year,

AV. B. ALEXANFIEK. President.

L. M. AlAYO, lion. Secretaiw.

EESUME OF LIBRARIAN’S REPORT FOR 1925.

During the year we have received, by way of ex-
change for the “Queensland Naturalist,” 280 maga-
zines and jiapers from various scientific hotlies in Aus-
tralia. Great Britain, America, and other ])arts of the
world.

ATost of these exchanges are purely scientific, but
others, notably “Tlie Australian ATusenm Alagazine,”
from the Australian Alusenm, Bydney. and “Natural
Ifistory,” from the American Alnsemn of Natural His-
tory, Ncav York, contain illustrated articles of a more
poinilar nature.

At the monthly meetings the current luiblieations
were ])laced on the table and enjoyed by many mem-
bers. Of these, approximately 125 copies Avere borroAved.

During the year copies of ph()togra[)hs of sjiecial
interest liaA’e been received from scAU'ral members. These
have been pasted in an album and t'laced in the library
cupboard. ATore jiliotograjibs will be Avelcmned.

E. E, BAIRD, IToii. Libi-arian.

7 ^ The Queensland Naturalist. April, 1926

THE LATE PROFESSOR S. B. J. SKERTCHLY.

By Heber A. Longman.

Al the retjut^st ol' the Editor \ have made a few ex-
frtHds frojii a. uit'iiioi'ial address giv'en at tiie aimual.
meeting of the riiib, to mark the passing of its first
President, Professor Skertchly, who died at Molendinar,
on Febrnary 2nd, 1926.

]My association with him goes batdc for al)ont 25
years, and ailhongh there are many in Queenslami who
knew iiim for a far longer period, probably few have
been more intimate. After looking throngh a big budget
of hdters and manuscript and tfi inking of his work as
a whole, I must confess that any tribute that I can pay
will be necessarily inadequate.

Sydney Barber Josiah Skertelily was a most remark-
able and many-sided man, with a distinct touch of genius,
lie. Avas not a si)ecialist in the modern sense, for lie took
a keen interest in every branch of science. This eosmo-
])o]itanism was largely due to the influence of the great
Victorian scientists in the later half of the last century..
There ^\'er(' giatits in those days, and Blvertchly was very
fo)‘t unate in being associated witli them, lie was very
ju’oud of his old fi'ineds and loved to talk of tliom. Wc'
of a later generati(m may not fully aiipreciate tlie signi-
ficance of these associations, but we can partly under-
stand his pride. For here was a man who had cor-
res])onded with Darwin, whose work and ability had
bi'en jn-aised by Darwin, and who had assisted in the
eouipiliition of such notable books as -fames Geikie's
“Gnsit lee Age^' and Alfred Russel Wallace's “Island
Life." and who luid been tlianked by these authors for
his collahonit ion. Here was a man wlio had sat at the
feet of L>'eil. wlio had been taught by Huxley, who^
heard Bates tell tales of tlie Amazon before bis book
made that womlerland known to tlie public, who had
been liel]ied by tlie Tylors of geographical and anthro-
poloirii'al fame, and who stood in tiiat rich stream of
intellectual lifi^ which even now raises the Victorian
period abov(‘ tlie medioci'ity of liistoi'V. And here was a
man who was something nioi'e than an assistant to
others, for, amongst other studies, he made a notable
contribution to our knowledge of the antnpiity of man.

Late Professor Sydney B. J. Skertchly.

— Photo by A. H. Chisholm.

V '

April, 1926

The Queensland Naturalist.

71

The most important work of Skortchly was done in
England between the years 1870-1880. In later years
he developed into an interesting and, indeed, fascinating
old savant, with an inimitable literary touch, but it is
not in these years that we find a record of his, best work.
The half-a-dozen printed addresses given before this
Club and our Royal vSociety do not contain anything that
is really comparable to the notable work of Ids earlier
years. With Ids local geological work I am not competent
to deal.

The first refetamce to Skertehly tliat 1 can find is
in the ‘Wleological ^Magazine/' 1868. p. -192, wliere
Alfred Tylor in a, letter refei's to a collection of Thames
\^alleC drift-shells discovered by Mr- Sydney Skertchly
in 18*66 (60 years ago) and noted in the '‘Nhitural His-
tory Re])ertory’^ by G. *1. Sndtli in 1867. From 1870 to
1880 lie did much geological work in England and Egypt,
Amongst his publications during those years were
manuals of Geology and Physical Geography, “the Fen-
land,'’ “Physical >System of the I'tdverse.” and his
“Report on G unflints." Probably Ids most notable work
Avas what Dr. W. II. L. Duckworth, in “Prehistoric Man,’’
calls “a xery memorable contribntitui (in 1878) from
Professor Skeidclily. by wliom account Avas taken of the
stratigraphical ])osition of stone implements.” This is
also referred to in the British ^lusiuitn Guide to the
Stone Age. and nndei* the title “Glacial Man: Ma" Part
in His DiscoA'ery” ( Ih-oceedings of the Royal Society
of Oueensland, xxxiii. 1921). Skertchly tells the stoi'y
of his pioneer Avork in demonstrating the antiquity of
man. This paper contains many nages of interesting
autobiograohy. and readers Avill find therein the best
record of his Iif(‘. Tn addition to his AV'ork in England
and Egypt, lie Avent to America, and siibse(piently
Ausited Borneo. For some years he AA'as Professor of
Botany at Hongkong.

His knoAA'ledge of literature Avas surprising. In the
big budget of bis letters to rne I find references to
HebrcAv and Greek classics, (.(notations from English
poets from B])enser to Swinburne, delighlful AAutti-
cisms. and shreAvd comments. In lalei' years he Avas con-
siderably influenced l)y tlie Avorlvs of Sannud Butler, and
he freuuently onoted from the author of “EroAvhon
and “Luck or (h.inning*”

Skerteldv Avas the first President and one of ilie
founders of this Club. He also insisted that it sliould be a

72

The Qiit-ensland Naturalist.

April, 1926

inid not H siH'ioty. Into Iiis natural history he
always put n toiudi of jtoetry, and as the text of his first
address h(‘ (putted Iveats' welTknoAvn line: “The l^oetry
of Eiirtii is Never Dead.’’ He wrote many verses, and
loved to b(^ ealled a itoet.

Behind iiis wittieisins, liis t(‘arnino\ his sareasius. Ills
poetry, his abstruse allusions. Ids theoidsing and Ids
many-sided life, there was one bi^ eentral fact— and
tiial was Ids ^'reat love of N'aturi' and his delij^ht in her
inexhaust ibh' treasures. He lov(‘d the birds, the flowers
and lh(‘ trees. He inveighed ag-ainst the man-made bare-
n(>ss of (Mir hillsid(‘s. and (daimed that tite forests had
miieli to do with the rainfall. He wrote many interest-
ini.); artieles of po])ular natural history in tlie '‘(Vnnder.'’
He did excelhuit work for the old Hould League of Bird
Jmvtu’s. He was a *^ood. all-round Field Natui*alisl.

Quiek-brained. silver-ton^'ued. with a retentive
nuunory, lu* had a marvellous ran^'e of knowled^-e and
a dislinetive literary style. His sparkliiip: wit found ex-
])ression eviui in addrt^sses to stdentifie. meetini^s. At
times he was jxisitively brilliant, and even Avhen sjieak-
in^ on eommonidaee subjecds he aeldeved <iistinetion.
It may be said of some ]ieople tiiat you eould not travel
six stoi-eys in a lift witii them without being’ impressed
•with their personality^ Skertehly was of this type; he
had personality. Some ])eople regarded him as one of
the most remarkable men in Queensland in his day.

He was utterly unlike the typi(ml try-as-dust, aca-
demie seientist. T like to think of him. interminably
lighting his ]■)ipe — “smoking mat(dies'^ — telling some
story of the old days. Ids shrewd eyes lit U]) with
humour. 1 like to remember his sturdy figure, carrying
tlu' old stout stiel\, (lecliidng* to be hurried, indifferent
to lime, ulaee and |)eople. and talking, talking — on ])oli-
ties. on history, on literature and poetry, or on science,
and especially of his old friends of tlu* last century.

And uow, being old and well stri(*.ken in years, he
is gathered unto Iiis fathers. Tliid is tioI an occasion for
sadness. Sydney Skertchly lived a fvdl and long life,
and ai'hieved a great measure of success. Tn the quiet
little e(*metery at Xeraug lie lies, where the long grass
hides many a wild flower, even as life hides many
treasures in the fullness of its strenuous years. W(‘ shall
louiT eherisli his memory, for much ol his life Avas au
iusjiii’atiou to all naturalists Avho had the i^rivilege to
eome into contact with him.

.April, 1926

The Queensland Naturalist.

73

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NATURALISTS’ CLUB
CLUB MOVEMENT IN QUEENSLAND.

nioad by T. AVJiite at tJie Atniual .Meethifi' oi‘
the Queensland Naturalists’ (dub. 2‘2nd February. Ib2(i.)

This being our t\v(‘ntietli Annual Meeting, it may
not be deemed out of '))laee to i)ut on record a few brief
notes on the history of the Naturalists’ (Tub iintvement
in Queensland.

The first Field Naturalists’ (Tub in (Queensland was
formed at the instance of Mr. IT. Tryon as a seeti<ui of
the Ivoyal Society of (Queetisland, tlie first meeting being
iield on th(‘ 6th Oidober. 1886. The section was a field
club in more tlian name oidy, for in the first annual
re])ort. presented in July, 1887. it is recorded that during
the first nine months of the section’s existence only
tJiree evening meetings wei-e held, but nineteen field
excursions, and the ])i‘ogranime as revealed l)y tln^
minute ])ook shows, even during the midsummer months
of December and January, field meetings were held
at least once every fortnight. After a brief
period of activity, however, interest in tlie
section seems to have waned, and only tlie
botanists retained their interest in the section,
for in the- Brisbane .‘("’ourier” of the 26th May. 1887,
there is an account of an excursion to Tlelidon. in Avhich
the recorder states: '‘(3ur branch of llie Royal Society,
formed tvith a flourish of trum'pets and boasting a roll
of fifty-odd members, never saw more than twenty in
the fiidd. These divid(*d al)out equally into botanists
and zoologists. Mr. F. M. Bailey captained tin* tormer,
and Mr. TVyori acted as guide, philosoidmr and friend
to the latter, (ji'adually the zoologists fell off one by
one. or deserted to the botanists, until the plant-bnnters
secured the Avhole fiehl to tliemselves.”

The botanists r<uuained active for a uum])er of years,
but intei'est iu tlie section gi'adually fell off. The last
excursion was one to Fnminidi, in the Easter of 18T4,
when oidy three nienibei's were ])rcsent — the late Mr.
F. M. Bailey (leader), Mr. T. II. ftimmonds, sen., and the
late Mr. (ieo. Watkins.

At the beginning of 1892 a society was established
under the name of the “Natural History Society of

74

The Queensland Naturalist,

April, 1926

Queensland/' with Mr. H. Tryon as first president, and
Mr. F. Whitteron as hon. secretary and treasurer; after
the first year this latter post was lield by our veteran
nieniber, Mr. R. lllid^e.

The Society published one volume of its records'
under the title of * ‘ Transactions of the Natural History
Society of Quetmsland. Vol. i. 1892-‘l-4. ''

Tlie ])resent ('lub owes its orijtin to the enthusiasm
of three men, the late Professor S. B. J. Skei'tehly, Mr.
Henry Tryon. and the late Mr. Jas. Johnston.

They gathered a few kindnul souls around them,
and tile ncAv (dub was officially inaugurated at a meet-
ing held in the old Ib'isbane Technical College on the
(itli April, 1906, the tliree fore-mentioned men being
elected president, viee-})resident, and honorary secretary
respectively.

iVIr. Johnston did not retai)i office after tlie first
year, and at the first annual meeting, held on the 25th
January, 1907, Mr. (’. W- Holland was elected honorary
seci'etary, a post he retained until Ids departure on a
world tour as Secretary of the Travelling Prickly Pear
Commission at the end of 1912.

Tlie Club started off with a membership roll of 30,.
ndiich at the end of the first year had increased to 107 —
a number we have more or less liovered around ever
since.

The (dub commenced Avith the small membership fee of
five shillings. In 1908 the (dnb started its own journal,
**The (-Jneensland Xatuiadist/' luit tlie subscription re-
mained tlie same, the journal being charged for
at the rate of five shillings per year, or 1/6 for single
co])ies. This, however, did not proA’e entirely satisfac-
tory, and it became evident that if it Avas desired to
continue the publication of ‘‘Tlie QTieensland Natnrabst”
the snhscrijition Avonld have to be raised, and at a spe.ial
meeting in April. 1909. it Avas decided that from 1st
January, 1910. Hie rates of subscripliou shoxdd be: —
Ordinary members. 10/- per annum, Avitli the right to
the (dnb’s journal; and country members, 5/- per an-
num Avith the right of the (dub’s journal, and the sub-
scription lias since rmnained at this rate.

ddie Journal has had rather a cheipiered career, but
foi’funately tilings uoav seem brighter for its regular
apiiearanee every quarter.

April, 1926

The Queensland Naturalist.

/S-

Tliere is no need to eiitor into tlie subsetiuent histofv
of the (dub, as since tile ai)])earance of tlie Journal the-
proceedings liave been reo‘nlarl\' chronicled, except for
a lapse of three years from Ajuil. 1917, to July 1920, diu'^
to the unsettled state of affairs durino- those years.,
thoug’h the ordinary activities of the (’lub did not cease.

- -o— ^ — - —

NOTES ON A BAMBU BORER.-

(By the late Sydney B. J. Skertchly.)

This infernal insect is not rare; it ou^ht to be, extinct,
in fact. It not only destroys wood, but undermines faitlp-
and leads to doubts of a beuefieent providence.

I jcnow more about it, much more, than I wanted to
know, and it came about' in this wise: There bein^ a fnie
cluni]) of bamhiis on the rivm-sido of our home paddock
at '‘Talawalla,” Molendinar., on the lower Neran^* River,
my son-in-law, E. J- Cooper, in Augrust. 192J. became
ins]>ired with the idea of reiuvcnafin^ the time-woim.
stern-frayed backs and seats of a number of louj^ verandah
chairs with split hambu- Ilis success yas ]>henouienal,
and was tlie pride of the family, and he produced a
verandah bedstead all of his own architecture and fash-
ioning.

*Prof. Skertchly forwarded specimens of the insects, and
these were handed to Mr. H. Tryon for report. Mr. Tyron
replied : —

The insects submitted are examples of a member of the
family Bostrychidae. They are named Dinoderus minutus
Fabr., and although apparently primarily Bamboo insects, and
very destructive to It when dry and manufactured, also tweed
in other vegetable su])stauces including dead sugar-cane
stalks, Smilax wood. etc., and thus, although not reported
hitherto as feeding upon the dry stems or seeds of cycads,
that they should do so under constraining circumstances is
not unexpected. The beetle has long since been introduced to
Queensland, and is notorious here for destroying Bamboo
sun-blinds, etc. Of the living insects sent, some of those in
the small tubes had eaten their way outwards through the
cork; these contained in the cycad-nut had perfoi'ated its
paper investment, in effecting their exit; and those in the
section of the .Cycad-stem had done the same. Facts that go
to show how easy it is to bring about a dissemination of D.
minutus, as well as of the other bamboo-loving species of the
genus. — Editor, '^Queensland Naturalist.”

76

The Queensland Naturalist.

April, 1926

Biimbns are iioj indigenous to our area, but (dumps
luiv(‘ been planted, a])proxhnately a mile apart at ('barb
ton. Hirribi. Xeranp:, Talawalla, Lionel Brown’s, B>enoah,
Bnndall (two clumps — one at the north, the other at the
soutli end of tfie estate; tliese are “The Bambus^’ of river-
me7i) and South]>ort. and none have ever been known to
suffer from borers, thoun-li the oldest (15ii‘ribi) are 70
and the younj^est, TalaAvalla, about 20 years old. This
boi*er cons(‘(juent]y was eitlier not pr(*sent' or not rampant.
Tt was a nuisanee at Corinda, near Brisbane, where in
thre(' years it destroyed an elaborate idant siielter I had
erected at the cost of mueli labour and sweat sliedding.
I heard tliem ^nawing- as 1 set up tlie u])ri‘>'hts. but dis-
credited theii- })ersistenee and i)owers, yet I'z of the
(thaldees is in decorative repair compai'ed' with my
•collapsed Oaladium house. E. J. Cooper saw never a
trace of ojie all the time he was chairman of our little
com])any, nor (thoug’h a keen observei-) did he remember
seeinu* the species before- Now Eddo’s furniture stood
stoutly four square to all the winds that blew for over a
year, so we may take it this borer Avas not ])resent in the
h(nise or in the nei^hbouihood. Of coiirse borers are
common (moup:h, indeed too common, in our trees, especi-
ally tlie Oasxiarinas, but the local timber is not ravaged
by tliem ; floors, roofs, beams, , etc., are in good condition
after nearly .10 years: these are cbietly wood from out-
side, fui'nitiu*e, school desks, etc'., do, how(‘V(‘r suffer,
and often badly and ciniekly.

On the 27t]i October. 1923, T ('ante doAvn from Tam-
bourine ^Mountain, bringing with me a fine female cycad
co7ie. ]\laei‘ozanna Denisonii, and on taking it out of the
bag on reaching home, “weevils’’ Avere obser\^ed. but -
neithei* of 11 s bothered to examine them.

Noav owing to our richness in |)hle]>o1oniising aidhro-
pods like (’nlex damnabilis and Buiex infernalis. 1 had
at vast expense, ])urchased a pound of Pyreihrnm poAvder,
rejAuted to be lethal to said invert (‘brates, but proving
about as i)oisonons as Benger’s P^^ood. Still I occasiunally
burnt some, as it gave a cathedral-like incense flaA'onr
to my room. It Avas in a paper bag on the bedside table,
near the bambn-backed chair. About six Aveeks ago T
noticed a layer of yelloAA' impali)abh‘ dust under the chair
and inistoolc it for a Pyrethi'um calasiroplie : it Avas beetle
(Inst. It is accumulating still foi* scienlific research, but
ah, not for long: doom is imminent! But T sought in

April, 1926

The Queensland Naturalist. 77

vaiTi foi* t]i(‘ (leprerlntor. Tlieii. al)out tlie ])e"inningf of
this luontli (Pehfuary) T liappeiiod on ono, or rather it
liapixoied on me — (nio’ht, hed, reading*, bad liabit,
chronic) on the back of my hand and he is slirined in
one of tlie tubes T send. Tjike the monks avIio Mieedless
of graiiniiar, they all called Hiatus him'! 1 kncAV T had
got him at last. He was rare, and T hunted him diligent-
ly fstill do. Avitli other intent) but in a fortnight did not
get more than a dozen, and I wanted a respectable cl*o\^'d
to send to Bi'ishane for baptism. Tiien on February 7th
came tlie rain tO.So liere) the real overtui'c of the present
Gehenna season and they came out at sunset in battalions,
and Avere speedily on those terms of tender intimacy,
AA'liich are said to token identity of snecies. They are
noAV slackening off f27th February, gone).

They don't attack tlie hard outside of the bambu, but
sini]dy bon* through it an<l feed upon the soft iinier tissue.
At first T didn't mind them more thaii tame rabbits on
lettuce diet. bu1 T soon found them deA'Onring my books;
they were fellou* bibliophiles, and short-commons, even
famine, loomed aliead ol* nu*.. You see 1 take my grub
periodically, syioradically, after Hie manner of tlie new-
banded (piantum, wliereas they as grnhs grub day and
night without eeasing; so T have been fain to restrain
tlieir ardoui* with turns, Avhich is to them as holy-Avattu* to
tlieii* blood brother Aidd Glootie. Here- again, they
esehoAA' the bark and elieAv the leaves, preferring the
delectalde . SjAace between binding and end-])aper Avhere
paste lies as rich provender. This leads me to suspect
them as of Scottish oi*igin, for is it not they Avhom Burns
admonishes:

“Through and through the inspired leaves,

Ye maggots, make your windings:

But oh! respect his lordship’s taste.

And spare his golden bindings.*’

XoAV, after the Flower Exhibition of the Field
Naturalists last antiimn Miss Hilda Geissniann kindly
sent me the fine section of a cycad trunk she had shoAvn
there. There were certainly no borers of any sort in it
then, and it was laid on a table on a verandah on the
opposite side of the Iionse from AA^here my cone lay. Prom
the cone F liad selected a feAV of the, scarlet-rine seeds
for examination, and they lay within a couple of feet of
the trunk section. Montlis passed and notliing happened.
But after I noticed the dust under the chair in my rwAm

78

The Queensland Naturalist.

April, 1926

T found the fruits badly attacked by the borer, and a
week or two afterwards they had "ot into the trunk,
Avhcre T ])romi)t]y settled them. By this time the cone
had fallen to pieces, as many cones do (Bunya, casuarina,
etc.), but not all (e.g., Sequoia: T have some I ^ot in
California 80 years agfo, still complete). Now these borers
could only haA'c come from the cyead seeds or from the
before-mentioned bedstead, which Avas the only' bambu
article of Eddo's fabrication that entered the house save
my bedroom chair, and the bedstead was then quite free
from borers, and only showed CA^idence of their presence
about the same time as 1 found the pyrethrum dust (T
suppose someone Avill call this a case of mimicry!) I shall
j'cturn to tills presently.

The amount of Avork these borers accomplish is best
shoAAUi in the follcAA'in^ table: —

Dust Produced in one day, 27th December, 1924.
from one chair-back in my bedroom.

No. of bambu slats in chair 30 1

Lenji'th of each slat .. .. 20ins, ■

Averao'e AA'idth of slats . . 0.75in. )
AVei^ht of box and dust 639 grains)
AVeight of box (a 2oz. -

Capstan tobacco box) 221 grains!
AVeight of dust . . . . 418 grains

AA' eight of dust per sq.

inch 1.03 grains

Area gnaAA'ed
405 sq. in.

Dust produced
418 grains

The AAmy the borers attack the cycad stems is instruc-
tive. As you know they are encased in an armour of
old leaf stumps and leaf scales, A'ery hard. Inside this is
a zone of hard tissue, rejiresenting both ‘bark’ and bast,
tlien a thin cambium zone. Then comes the real xylem,
in this case about 4-incb vAude, curious in that the fibro-
A'ascular tissue is not interlocked into solid woods, but
j'emains in fairly loose strands like the oakum AA'e play
with Avhen in jail, but of this more anon. The central
])ithy iiart of the stem, Avhich constitutes about one-half
of the Avhole. is of comparatively soft parenchymatous
tissue traversed by isolated tihrowascular strands.

The insects bore straight through the armour Avithout
stopping, save, maybe, to mop their brows, and so
through the ]ihloem, saA'e a feAc better dentitioned athletes
who stay and hroAvse, into the pith, in Avhich they r^vpl.

April, 1926

The Queensland Naturalist.

79

The larvae also feed liere, T only found one (can’t go
cutting np chairs larvae hunting) a vile maggot like half
an inch of translucent crochet-cotton.

I conclude T brought the borers down in the cone,
and as our furniture was made of fresh-cut live bambu,
and was not attacked till it was bone-dry, it is more likely
they came from the cone than that they had been invis-
ibly loitering around awaiting the preparation of their
sustenance. T liave just been dovui to our bambu clump,
and though old and new dead pieces are untidedly ])lenti-
ful, not a trace of our borer was visible, though borer
holes as big as little sliirt buttons did occxir liere and
there. T should be (piite easy in mind with the cone
theory, but tliat since starting these notes' T have turned
out the bag in which the seeds were kej)!, scrutinised
every sepaT-ate bit, and sifted eA’en the dust, and found
no Ha'c borers, and only one dead one, though the
nxits were bored to death. Did they migrate to the
bambu? If so. they have the discriminating ])alate of a
tea-taster. Personally, TV1 .just as soon dine off cyead
nuts as bambu stems.

The borers seem to spend their lives eating— as the
sacred writer hath it, they love darkness rather than
light, because their deeds are AveeAu'ldy ; and they only
seem to grace the outer world when ou spooning matters
bent. They, at any rate, are not to he found now (Feb.
2o) saA’e an odd scapegrace here and there.

On the 28th Febrnary T cleared up the dust frmn
under the long eliair in my bedroom, Avhioh T had deliber-
ately alloAved to accumulate, and found it pei)pered over
with dead borers. Dead in scores, unsmote by tlie SAvord,
and there is not a living soul of them to he found in or
about the house. This hears out my conclusion that they
are short lived, but why the end came so suddenly — ^like
an epidemic — T cannot say. Perchance their allotted days
are foAv and circnmscribed. Theii* imago life is under tliree
months, their otxen-air life ixnder three Aveeks, their end
is catastrophic.

•0

8o

The Queensland Naturalist.

April, 1926 -

nature LOVERS’ LEAGUE.

At the first committee meeting of the Club for the
present year it was decided that Messrs. G. H. Barker,
D. W. Gaiikrodger, D. A. Herbert, and C. T. White, with
Mrs. W. M. Mayo (Honorary Secretary of the League)
be ap])ointed a special sub-committee to deal with mat-
ters connected with the above branch of the Queensland
Nniuralists’ Club.

A meeting of the sub-committee was held, and it
was decided to try and further the nature-study move-
ment in Queensland schools. It was thought that the
children miglit be got in touch with through the teachers,
and it was decided to write to the Tinder Secretary for
Publi<* Instruction, outlining a scheme for a nature
study camp for teachers during the Clndstmas vacation.

It was also agreed that the Honorary Secretary inter-
view the Principal of the Teachers’ Training College
(Mr. jMorris) and put forward a scheme for teaching
nature study to trainees. This has been done, and it
is hoped to have this work well in hand very shortly.

QUEKXSIvAM) NATI RALTST CLI B.

Annual Statement ot* Re<*eij)ts aiul ExpeiuUtiu <•,
;? 1 St l>eeeml)ei*, J !)25.

l^eeipts.

Expenditure.

19 25. — Jan. 1.

1925. — Dec. 31.

£

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

By Printing ‘Naturalist’

15

0

0

To Cash at Bank . .

32

9

3

,, Blocks

7

18

10

,, Cash in Hand

2

7

6

,, Rent

11

10

0

Dec. 31.

Tenti

28

0

0

,, Members’ Subs . .

43

10

0

Flower Show . .

25

11

4

,, Tent Hire . .

S

10

0

,, Wreaths

2

17

0

„ Flower Show

61

3

0

,, Lantern

1

9

0

,, Sales ‘Naturalist’

0

2

9'

,, Easter Excursion

1

10

0

,, Sales Certificates

3

9

6

,, Petty Cash . .

10

10

0

,, Easter Excursion

1

10

6

,, Printing, Stationery

5

7

0

,, Interest

0

12

5

,, Block, Nature Lovers’
League

Transfer to Nature

1

6

8

Lovers’ League . .

14

16

3

„ Balance at Bank . .

27

18

8

£153

14

9

£153

14

9^

Credit Balance - -

£27

18

s

NATURE

LOVERS’ LEA(4t E.

Annual Ktateineiit

:?lst

of Receipts and Expenditure,
December, 1 025.

Receipts.

Expenditure,

1925. — Sept. 1.

£ s.

d.

1925. — Dec. 31.

£

s. d.

Balance at Bank

14 16

3

Stationery

0

5 6

Dec. 31.

Balance at Bank

14

12 9

Sales Certificates

0 2

0

£14 IS

o

£14

18 3

Credit Balance

£14 12

9

(Signed) C. W. HOLLAND,

6 / 2 / 2 ().

Hon. Auditor.

SYLL A HUS OF 3IEETIXGS AM) FXCI USIOXS, 1920.

Monday, March 15
Fri.-Moii.. April 2-5.

Monday, April 19
We'dnesclay, May 5tli .
Monday, May 17
Thursday, June 3 . .

Monday, June 21
Saturday, July 10
Monday, July 19
Saturday, August 14
Monday, August 16
Sat. -Sun., Sept. 11-12
Saturday, Sept. 18 . .

Saturday, October 9
Monday, October IS
Saturday, November 13
Monday, November 15

Evening Meeting.

(Easter) camp-out at Myora*
Stradbroke Island.

Evening Meeting.

, (Labour Day), Goodna.
Evening Meeting.

(King’s Birthday), Upper Brook-
field.

Evening Meeting.

Woodridge, Sth. Coast Line.
Evening Meeting.

Sunnybank.

Evening Meeting.

Elimbah, Nth. Coast Line.

Wild Flower Show and N’aturaK
History Exhibition.

Nudgee.

Evening Meeting.

Ashgrove.

Evening Meeting.

The Council meets every second Monday.

PRICE 1/- VOL. V., No. 6. AUGUST, 1926

. . Cbc . .

Queensland naturalist

Journal of the

Queensland naturalists’ t^lub

AND

nature*Couers’ Ceague.

“ 2he Poetry of Earth is never dead!' — Keats.

The Author of each Article is responsible for the Statements
expressed therein.

CONTKXTJS :

Proceedings

Presidential Address

Notes on Stradbroke Island
Geology of Stradbroke Island ...

Brisbane Eucalypts

Nature Lovers’ League

Syllabus, 1926

PAQB

81

84

90

91

94

Inside Back Cover
Outside Back Cover

The Carter-Watson Co. Lid. Printers, Brisbane.

The Queensland Naturalists’ Club

— AND -

Nature-Lovers’ League.

Official Joxirnal — The Queensland NaiuraUsU

0

OFFICK HKAKKKS, lOtiO.

0

President:

Dr. E. O. Marks, B.A., B.E.

Vice-Presidents :

Mr. D. A. Herbert, M.Sc., and Mr. D. W. Gaukrodger.

Hon. Secretary :

Miss E. E. Baird,

Kennedy Terrace, Red Hill.

Hon. Excursion Secretary :

Mr. J. C. Smith

(C/o Murray Fraser, Charlotte Street, Brisbane).

Hon. Treasurer : Mr. F. B. Coleman
Railway Terrace, Wooloowin, Brisbane.

Hon. Librarian : Mrs. J. C. Smith.

Hon. Secretary^ Haturc Lovers' League :

Mrs. W. M. Mayo,

[;*. r. - Roseberry St., Highgate Hill, South Brisbane.

(Sommitiee:

Mr. J. E. Young. Mr. R. L. Higgins.

Mr. J. H. Simmonds, M.Sc. Mr. L. Franzen.

Hon, Laniernist : Mr, W. J. Sanderson.

Hon. Editor^ Naturalist : Mr. C. T. White, F.L.S.
(Govt. Botanist, Botajiic Gardens, Brisbane).

Subscriptions :

Ordinary Members 10s. per annum.

Country Members 5s. per annum.

Nature-Lovers’ Certificate, 2d.

MKKTlNOSj

Evening Meetings are held at the Brisbane Women’s Club Rooms
Albert House, C/r Albert and Ann Streets, Brisbane,
on the third Monday of every month.

Excursions are held once or twice a month from March to December.

the Queensland naturalist

JOURNAL OF THE OUEENSLAND NATURALISTS’ CLUB
AND nature-lovers’ LEAGUE.

VoL. V. August, 1926 .No. 6.

PROCEEDINGS.

EVENING MEETING, MONDAY, 1!)th Al’KIL,
19li6.^The President (Dr. E. 0. Marks) occupied the
chair, and there was a p:ood attendance of members
and visitors. The meeting was more especially devoted
to reports on the Eastei- Excursion to Stradbroke Island.
Reports were given by Dr. E. 0. Marks, geology ; Messrs.
Illidge and Franzeii, entomology; Mr. J. E. Young,
general zoology, and by Miss Baird, ornithology. A
collection of geological specimens from Mount Isa were
exhibited on behalf of Mr. R. Higgins by Dr. E. 0.
Marks.

EVENING MEETING, MONDAY. 17th MAY,
1926. — Dr. E. 0. IMarks (President) occupied the chair,
and there was a good attendance of members and visi-
tors. Messrs. A. J. Beck and V. T. Mankey were elected
members of the Club. Pol. Goadby (President of the
Western Australian Field Naturalists’ Club) was pre-
sent, and a welcome was extended to him by the C'^hair-
man. Col. Goadby exhibited specimens of Orchids from
Victoria and Western Australia. Reports on the excar-
sion ro Goodna were given by Mrs. W. M. Mayo (birds),
Mr. L. Franzen (insects), and Mr. C. T. White (plants).
It was proposed by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Herbert
and carried, that the i'hVo ascertain if the Goodna or
Woogaroo Scrub Avas on CroAvn land, and if so, that a
moA'e he made to have it gazetted a reserve. Mr. G. A.
Barker spoke of a i)roposal to try and have the close
season for Honey Parrots extended. Mrs. W. M. ATayo
and Mr. H. Tryon also spoke on the matter, and it was
resolved that the Club should support the proposal. The
princi]>le business of the evening was an address on the
‘^Plants of the Philippines, ’’"by Air. D. A, Herbert. Mr.
Herbert illustrated his remarks by a fine series of inter-
esting specimens.

82

The Queenslattd Naturalist.

August. 1920

EVENING MEETING, FRIDAY, 18th JT’NE, 1926.
— The iT-eHideiit (Dr. E. O. Marks) oceupied the cdiair.
and there was a lar^e attendance of members and
visitors.

I'he bird and turtle life of the Capricorn Islands
formed the subject of one of the most enjoyable lecttires
given before tlie (dub. The lecturer was Mr. E. F. Pollock,
hon. secretary of the Royal Zoological Society of New
South Wales. Immense colonies of sea birds, said Mr.
Pollock, had their habitations on the Capricorn Islands.
Gn North-West Island white-capped noddies and wedg-
ed-tailed petrel, or mutton birds, bred in millions. The
white-capped noddies made their nests remarkably close
together, and in the one tree he had observed as many
as dOd birds, including 14d silting on nests. On one
branch covering an area of Sft. or 9ft. s(piare he had
found IT) nests. The mutton birds covered the island
like a iuigo cloud as soon as darkness set in. and made
for the open sea early in the morning. The procession
began as early as d.3().a.m., and an hour later scarcely a
bird could be seen on the island. Petrel burrows w'ere
a source of annoyance to the naturalists, the island
being honeycombed with them. Reef herons bred on
tlie islands in large numbers, generally not far from the
beaches, and on Tryon Island several large colonies of
silver gull were found. At tlie eastern end of North-
West Island a jiair of white-bellied sea eagles also were
discovered, together with their nest, which was at the
top of one of the biggest palms.

Mr. Pollock said thal luidles also were of absorbing
interest to some of the mem hers of his party. There
were three species of the turtle which inhabited Aus-
tralian tropical seas— green, hawk’s bill, and loggerhead
turtles. The two last-mentioned species were scarce,
and only a fevr specimens were noticed, but, on the
other hand, the green turtle was plentiful. 'On the
NorthAYest Island there Avas a turtle cannery. About
22 to 25 turtles were caught per day, and these would
be sufficient for 900 tins of sou]). Green turtles reached
maturity when 20 or 25 years old, but the hunters on
the island said the a^mrage age of the turtles captured
was 100 years. He had I>eeu informed that the canning
company last year sent away 36.000 tins of soup made
from about 1000 turtles, but they were still as numerous
as ever. The female Avas belicA'ed to lay three clutehes

.August, 1926.

83

The Queensland Naturalist.

<’f eg-^s, each containing 125 to 150, Avitliin a season, at
intervals of tvo to three weeks.

A vote of thanks to the lecturer was accorded on
Ihe jnotion of iMr. ('. T. White, seconded by Mr. J. E.
Young. The motion was carried Avith enthusiasm.

EVENIXCJ MEETING, MONDAY, 21st JUNE,
1926. — ^Natnralists who sailed Avith Cajdain (^ook on his
various Au>yages formed tiie subject of a lecture given
by ^Ir. Tom Tredale, of Ihe Australian Museum, Sydney.
The President of the (Tub (Dr. E. O. .Marks) occupied
the chair, and described Mr. tredale as an authority on
historical sciiudific literature.

Mr. 1 redale said all kneAV Avho Uaptain Uook Avas,
but he Avas not a naturalist, and knoAV nothing of this
avenue of investigation in any period of his career.
HoAveAun*, one reading his Avorks would believe Uook to
liave been a good naturalist. The explanation Avas that
he had with him on his several voyages very fine
naturalists. On oik* of his great A'oyages tlie celebrated
navigator was accompanied by Sir Joseph Banks, and
Dr. Solander. The latter Avas, in the opinion of the
lecturer, a wojTd geTjins, as far as natural liistory Avas
eoncertied. Banks and Solander did not go AA'ith (''a])tain
(Mok on his second Amyage, and J. Reynold Forster Avas
seleeted by tiie British Government to assist Uook.
Forster Avas a sjdendid naturalist, lie Avas also a great
linguist, and spoke and Avrote Avith ease in 17 languages.
Ifis son Avas taken as a painter, and there Avas with
them another artist named Hodges, When an animal
Avas secured, the practice at the time was to haA'e a
l)ainting made of it, and then an inscription Avas put
on the picture in Latin, after Avhich the animal was
used.

On the third and last voyage (^aptain Cook took
Avith liim William Andei’son, a capable self-trained
zoologist, Avho had accomplished Avonderful Avork. but
very little of it a|)i)arently had been preserved. Unfor-
tunately, Anderson died shortly before C'ook was killed
at IlaAvaii.

A series of pictures of great historic interest aauu’C
screened, and Mr. Iredale commented interestingly on
each, giving, in many eases, the history of the, picture
itself. Pictures, painted by artists Avho sailed Avi^^h ('ook
on his various voyages, of Cape Town, Ncav Zealand,
Tasmania, and seascapes, Avith icebergs, were displayc'd.

84

The Queensland Naturalist.

August, 1926

Many rare paintingrs and draAvings of birds also were'
depicted.

A A^ote of thanks to the lecturer AA'as carried on the
motion of Mr. G. H. Barker, seconded by Mr. D. A.
Herbert.

Mr. G. H. Barker dreAA' attention to the wdiolesale
destruction if bird-life on Oyster (^ay (Michaelmas Reef)
a few miles from Gairtis. and mentioned that a moA’e-
ment AA'as on foot to try and get some measure of pro-
tection for the birds. lie tnoA'cd that the (Tub support
any efforts in this direction.

0

ADDRESS TO MEMBERS OF THE QUEENSLAND
NATURALISTS’ CLUB.

By W. B. Alexander, M.A.

(Delivered at the Annual Meeting of the Queensland
Naturalists’ Club, 22nd Feb.. 1926.)

I^adies and Gentlemen,—

1 regret that circumstances i)reA'ent me from being ■
present at the Annual Meeting of the Club in order that
I might compleTo my duties as president for the year by
delivering an address and welcoming my successor to
the chair. T expect, JioAvever, that at the date of the

meeting I shall be someAAdiere in the Pacific Ocean be-

tAAa^en NeAV Zealand and Panama. Wc may anticii)ate
that in a few more years the advance of science Avill
make it possible for one so situated to deliver an address
by Avireless in Brisbane, and perhaps eve'n to be seen
by bis audience. Tf so, science will have gone-fai" to solve
the su])posed impossibility of being in tAVO places at the
same time. Undei- present cireumstances, however, 1
must still avail myself of the old-fashioned method of
committing my thoughts to paper.

Tt is less than five years since 1 arrived In Queens-
land, and became a member of the Naturalists^ Club,

so that T cannot claim more than a A^ery su])erficial
knoAvledge of the natural history of the State. Tt has
been my fortune, hoAvever, to travel someAvhat ex-
tensively in tlie Southern and Central portions of the
State during these years, and I have recently had the*
opportunity to A’isit localities so far apart as Cairns in
the North and tlie Lamington National Park, on the-

.August, 1926

The Queensland Naturalist.

85

Soiitliern bortier, so that 1 can claiin some sJig'lit
acquaintance -with tnost of the types (»f flora and fauna
which occur in the State.

To one whose previous knowledge of Australia was
deriA'cd from rei^idence in the Western and Southern
])ortions of the contintmt, the striking feature of Queens-
land is the great diversity of environment to be found
M'ithin .its hordei's. This rliversity of en\'iron7iient leads
to such a wealth of spt'cies of plants and atumals tliat
it is very difficult for a single individual to acquire a
knowledge of more than one oi* two bi*anehes of natui’al
history.

Yet living organisms cannot be studieil satisfactorily
without a knowledge of their environment, and an im-
portant part of the environment consists of other living
organisins, jdants, and animals, with which they enter
into competition, on wliich they prey, or which prey
upon them. Tlie specialist in any one grou]> of Tiatnral
liistorx’ tlius requires constant assistance from workers
in other groups. A (’lub such as ours, which i)rovides
O])portunities for workers in all bramdies of natural his-
tory to meet and to makt^ excursions together, is thus
of great benefit to the naturalist who is not a mere
student of dead s]>ecimens.

Systematic Avork — the study of specimens and their
classification — is of eourse essential. ()bserA'atif>ns on
living organisms are of little value unless the speeifiq
identity of tlK* particular organism studied has l)een
determined, but it must not be forgotten that biology
is tlie study of living things, and its aim should bo to un-
derstand the mode of life of the organism and its relation
to its euviroiiment. Woi’k in the lierbrrium or the
museum is an essential preliminary to this end, but is
not to be regarded as an end in itself,

i Jiave ali*eady remarked that the striking feature
of Queensland is the variety of types of environment
which occur in it. These are mostly slinkingly cluirae-
terised by the vegetation, but the animal life of each
type of environment, thougli less obA'ious. is equally dis-
tinctive. To my mind, a study and classification of these
various environmental types is badly needed by Queens-
land naturalists. This is in the first instance Avork for
a botanist, but Avhen the tyi)es have been defined a
comprehensiA'e stud.y of (‘aeli aa'ouUI iuA'olve the com-
binati<tn of botaiusts and zoologists.

86

The Queensland Naturalist.

August, 1926

The naturtil histt vy of many ocefinio islriinls has
studied in this avhv and volumes devoted to the
results. Yet a similar study of one of those islands of
Papuan type isolated in the Australian forest etmntry
would be of equal interest. Tliese Papuan islands, eom-
lUfudy called “vine scrubs/’ or “tro]ucal scrubs," are sO'
rapidly disappearing- tlial their study is tiearly as iiro-ent
as that of the Australian aborio'iual iiimself. Of course,
even* since the settlement of Queenslatid these scrubs have
attracted the special attention of naturalists, and their
fauna and flora are fairly ^vell known, l)ut as far as I
know tliey have not been treated comi^rehensively and
sei>arately. but only as part of the y'cneral flora and
faujia of the State. 1 am not a^vare of any detailed ma])
showing- the distribution and ext(‘nt of the true trojiical
scrubs, tliough tliis would be of great interest to natur-
alists. Hetwetui those of Cape York and the districts
about (‘aims a;ul (’ardwcll, and those of South-eastern
(Queensland and tht‘ Xortluu’n Kivei-s of Nev^ Studh
AYales, they woubl ap])ea]' to ])(‘ an extensive gap in
winch true tropical s(*rubs do not occur. This is re-
flected in tlie distribution of some of the birds of
Papuan types, for exami)le, Eifle-birds, oui- re])resenta-
ti\es of the Birds of Paradise. <)nt‘ species, Ptiloris para-
disea, is found in the scrubs of the northern rivers of
New South AVales and ranges north to the Bunya
Mountains and Blackall Kanges. A second, P. victoriae,
a])pa!*ently extends from about (’ardwell to Cooktown,
and a third, P. magmifica, is confined to (‘ape Y(u*k. A
sjjecimen of tlie southern bird Avas o])tained by Broad-
bent on the Berserker Ranges, near Rockhampton, so
tliat it is possible that the appartmt discontinuity in
tlie ranges of the gtuuis is due to lack of knoAvlcdge,
ami is not a reality.

The Avord “scrub” is badly ovcrworlu'd in Queens-
land and is used for almost any dense growth of trees,
though T haveAiot heard it used foi* mangroves. Tlu^true
fro|uca] or vine scrubs to which T haA^C'just referred are
pei-haps moi‘e easily distingtiished by the presence of
those buttressed trees of Avbich Mr. Francis has made a
special study. Sonu'wliat similar in many respects, but
Avitli fcAV or n<i buttressed trees, arc tlie “dry scrubs”
AAdiich are so characteristic of Central Queensland. From
these scrubs, also, ])alms are generally lacking, though
they may occur along the creeks. On the other hand,
amongst the ti'ees and scrubs which compose them tliere

August* 1926

The Queensland Naturalist.

87

avo often si)ecie.s eliaracteristit' of llie inland districts^
sni-h as and belai*. and bottl(‘-trees (Sterculia),

of larp'c size, are usually a eonspicuous feature. Hiich
scrubs seem to extend from the Darlinir Downs as far
north as Towmsyille, and tliey apfiear to be very rich in
forms (A‘ insect life, .\'et tliey lia\'e been largely neglected
i)y naturalists, and I ha\'i* found hardly any published
information about them. t do not know of any bird
pemiliar to tluun, unless il is ihe Blaidc-bia'asted Quail
(Turnix melanogaster), but throughout a large part of
Queensland they seem to be the special haunt of the
Scrub Turk(‘y, Bar-shouldered Dove, and (Jolden ^Vhist-
ler (Pachycephala pectoralis).

The ty])e of scrub to wlu<di 1 have just referred
shouh.l jierliaps be regarded as a transitional form be-
ttVeen the 1 ro])ieaI serubs and the brigalow and belar
sei'ubs of the inland districts, which are often almost
pure stands of one or other of these trees, or of tlie two
intermingled, covering very large armis. It is ]iot 1113'
intention to attempt a classifiimtion of scrubs, for which
T liave tiot the necessar\- ]\Uo\\Hedge, but oid^^ to urge
the desirability of such a classification. The three birds
to which T have .iust nd'erred ar(‘ not ('.onfiru'd to the
dr^- scrubs. Tbe Scrub Turke\' is found also in ti’ojiical
scrubs, the Bar-sliouldei-ed l)ov(‘ in the mangrove*
tliickids, and the Golden Wliistler in forest countiy.
"Wliat are the s])e('ial features of mangrove thickets and
dry serubs which make liiem iiceeptable to the Bar-
shouldei’ed Dove, a bird not oflen found in ai\v other
part, of tile countiy.^ rntil such a question can be an-
swei'ed we cannot pretend to an,v intimate kiiowledge of
tbe biolog.v of the species.

From the point of view of the ornitliologist the man-
grove thickets on our coast are [lerhaps the most dis-
tinctly marked of an^^ formation. The Mangrove King-
fisher (Halcyon chloris), Mangrove irone\mater (MeU-
pha^a fasciogiilaris), Mangrove Wai-bler (Gerygone
cantator), and Mangi*ove Bittern (Butcrides stmta) are
so completely adapted to life among these trees that thej'
1‘are.lv leave them, whilst few other birds venture into*
this unusual type of habitat.

The most familiar of our birds are chiefl>‘ those
which frequent open country'. AVhen a homestead is
nlaced on a tract o£ scrub and a clearino; is made around
it, it is not long b(ifore Wagtails (Rhinidura lenconhrys)
Magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen), and Pi])its (Anthus aus-

riie yutensland Naturalist.

August, 1926

trails) maJ?e 1heir appearanet\ These birds have iu-
^reasod eiiontiously as a result of the. settlement of white
men in Australia, just as the inhabitants of the scrub
ha^'e dwindled. Tn New Zealand the same process has
been even more marked. The greater part of the country
was originally covered with bush, of types which would
be called ‘'scrub'' in Queensland. All the small native
birds lived in the bush with the exce])tiou of the Pipit
(Anthus novaezealandiae) and the Fernbird (Bowdleiia
punctata) the former frequenting ”:rassy country and
the latter swami)s. The buiuiing of most of the busli and
the draining of swamps has left the New Zealand Pipit
.as the only common native bird over great areas of cul-
tivated and pastoral country.

Tn Australia the birds adapted to living in open
country art' fortunately far more numerous than in New
Zealand, and as the scrubs in coastal disti'iets are cleared
.away birds from the interior districts seem to be gradu-
ally making their way towards the coast. About Brisbane
the Kedbacked Kingfisher (Halcyon pyrrhopygius) is
now fairly eommon, Init it is most , unlikely that it oc-
curred in tile district jirioi' to its settlement by white
men a hundred years ago. Another inland' bii'd found in
small numbers on tlie Uppei* Brisbane Kiver is the White-
baeked Swallow (Oheramoeca leucostemum), and i>ro-
bably the same remarks apply I 0 it. T have seen the
Quan-ion (Leptolophus hollandicus) in the Lockyer dis-
trict. but tliis inland species is nomadic in habits, and
possibly visited tlie more open tiarts of the coastal
'districts before settlement took place. Tr is noteworthy
that this species was one of the birds obtained in Aus-
tralia on Captain Cookes first voyage. We do not know
at which of the several localities whei-e he landed this
speci^^s was obtained, but we may surmise that it was at
Bustard Bay, which received its name from the Plain
Turkey (Eupoditis austnalis), which was killed and
eaten there. I have suggested elsewhere that the year
of Captain Cook's visit was probably a specially dry
■season in Queensland, since a Bustard was obtained on
the coast, and the fact that a Quarrion was also secured
■confirms me in this view. A careful reading of Cook’s
and Banks’ journals lends support to this conclusion,
which may perha])s be of value to meteorologists in en-
ablintr them to calculate the cycles when droughts maW
he anticipated. Thus a knowledge of ^he habits of birds
may he of considerable economic importance.

August, 1926

The Queensland Naturalist

89

The past year has been noteworthy tor the yjubliea-
tion of the last essays of the late E. -I. Banfield, edited
by our fonner president. A. IT. Chisliolm. Mr. Banfield's
notes on the various changes that liave taken plaee on
Dunk Island sinee he first went to reside there are of
the fireatest interest from tlie point of view whieh F
have Htteni})ted to indicate. Especially noteworthy is
his aimoiinf of llu^ eesults of the cyclone which devas-
tated the islaiul some yeai-s ago. The immediate result
was the levellini^ of great areas of forest and the com-
plete disaiii)eHrance or wi])ing out of several sy>eeies of
birds. He noticed, Iiowever, that shortly afterwards a
thicket of shrubs aud creepers sprang u[> amongst the
fallen vegetation, and he aiiticipated that in the slicker
of tliis thicket scrub trees would spring up so that
open foi'est country ^vould be (inverted into jungle.
Unfortunately he did not live long enough to inform us
whether this antiei])ation wns realised, but if it Avere it
is obvious that serub-fiaMjueuting birds and other forms
of animal life would find additional shelter, and would
increase at tlie expense of forest types.

Man’s oi)erations have so generally -operated ad-
A’ersely upon the jungle types that any gain on the other
side is of great import anee; even if it comes only in such
drastic fasiiiou. Incidentally, it may be noted that a few
types of scrub-bird liave been faA'Ou red by the introduc-
tion of the jiests Avhich haA*e over-run so much of Queens-
land. Tlie shelter provided by thickets \»f lautaua is
appreciated by ( 'oacliwhip-liirds (Psophodes olivaceus),
AAdiilst the Scrub Turkey (Cathetura lathami) fimls
security among the dense growth of prickly pear and a
A'aluahle food-supply in its fruits. The latter ari* also
greatly appreciated by Emus.

In conclusion, 1 A'.umld once more emphasize that
noAv that flu* sjiecies of animals and plants found in
Queensland are mostly knoAvn and classified, Ave should
not consider the Avork of the naturalist as done; on the
contrary, Queensland naturalists building on the founda-
tion thus laid should endeavour to gain an insight into
the relationships existing betAveen the different life-
forms of the State. Our veteran memlier. Mr. lllidge. has
set us an excellent example in his studies of tlie life
histories of the insects associated Avith particular succics
of trees. T liaAie already cited Mr. Banfield’s studies of
the relations between vaiTons organisms on Dunk Island.

90

The Queensland Naturalist.

August, 1926

]\Iy oAvii kTioA\'ledjre of Queensland natural history is not
sufficient to enable me to treat its bird life from this
point of view in a comprehensive fashion, but T have
endeavoured to su^'g'est tlie lines oti wliich such studies
should proceed. The harvest truly is ])lcnteous, but the
labourers are feAV. T trust tliat the Queensland Natura-
lists’ Cdub Avili coutiuue to i)rospev and to encourafre
such Avork, atid 1 desire to thank the meiubers for their
kind support duriun- the yeai* no\v concludetl.

o

NOTES ON STRADBROKE ISLAND.

(By R. Tllid^e.)

Easter ajrain found the members of the Field Nat-'
uralists’ (Tub represented by many of its members of
botli sexes investig-atinn^ the natural history of this large
island, Avhieh. togetiier Avith Moreton Island, forms the
great natural eastern brealavater eueiosing Moreton
Bay.

It has not yet — probably will not for many years
to come — reveale^l all its secrets, as tile short periods of
time during wTucii membei*s can carry on their Avork,
preclude much obsevA’ation.

The Ishiud ill former years Avas fairly Avell knoAA'n
to me from MoomhireAva to Amity Point, thence to Point
Look-out. and inland to many of the hi goons. TTviee 1
made trijis across from Canaijia to the 18-Mile-
Lagoon.*

Tlicse Avere chicflv in (juest of birds, subsequently
followed, hoAvever. by the collecting of shells around
the beaches and hanks, Avith Amity Point as a base. On
llie banks many handsome species of coAVi'ics (cy|U'aea)
AA'crc obtainable amongst these Cypraea ebiirnea avhs the
rarest. Low water of spring tides, also after licavy
storms will yield many fine species of shells.^

Rince the formation of the jU’esent Field Naturalists’
(Tub in lOOh. my attention has been gi\uui more to the
collecting and study of insects, Avliich even in earh' (lays
Avere not by any means neglected. Now, Avhat little
knoAA'ledge T Iuia'c as regards tlie insect fauna oi Strad-
brokc Island, and my exchanges Avith southern entom-
ologists, has led me to the conclusion that its fauna in

*Rirds of Stradbroke Island, by K. lUidge, “Queens-
land Naturalist.” Vol. III.. No. 6, November,. 1922.

Augu«;t, 192b

91

Tlie Queensland Naturalist.

tliis respect approaches more nearly to that oi' tlie
country round Hydney than to that of Brisbane. ll is
notable tlie number of species- fn ('oleoptera which are-
identical from Hydney forms, and not found about Bris-
bane. A^ain, in Lepidoptera are many species confined
to the Island, as also is tlu^ cast* in Hyiuenoptera, Ncur-
0])1era. Diptera, etc. Tliere at-e certainly numbers of
insects wliich ai*e etpially at liome on tiu* Island as on
the adjacent mainland.

'rin' explanation of the similarity of forms to those-
of Sydney may ])erhaps be found in the soil and vegeta-
tion of tlie Island ])eing of somewhat like character to
that around that city.

A fact Avorthy of nott* about tliis excursion was
the alnu)st entire freedom from the worry of mosquitoes.
Neitiier ])y day nor by nigh! were we troubled by these
dijdcrous plagues. Miglit it not be well for our city
fathers I0 enquiia* into this remarkable scarcity of these
insf'cts in a plnee wiiei’c we were surrounded by
swamjis, usually considered as fine bi’eeding oTOunds.
Perhaps they had all departed for Dunwieh, where tlie
dengue was said to be preAuilent.

Another matter that requiri's attention is that the
placards as to sanctuary are openly set at defiance by
young men as to shooting. One sturdy fellow I saw
eomine ashore with a gun. and a lot of boys follpwing
him. 1 warned them, and i>lain!y told tliem I should
consider it a duty to reiiort the matter. Tliey simply
defied mt*. This Avas close to our camp at (^ne "Mile,
and T Avas told they AA'ere iieard shooting on the hill
beyond us.

0

GEOLOGICAL NOTES ON THE EASTER
EXCURSION.

(By Dr. E. O. Marks, President.)

^loj'eton and Stradbroke Islands, consisting almost
entirely of sand dunes, do not offer a Avide seojie for the
study of ‘bsolid” geology. Indeed, it is only in four
very limited areas (one on Moreton and three on Strad-
bi*oke) lliat any rock is known I0 be expost'd. Never-
theless. our last tliree Easter excursions have resulted in
'■.op t, useful contributions to tiie geology of these' islands.

T.ast Easier our visit to Point Lookout provided a
geological surpi'ise*. in linding that lieadland to co^isi.st

-92

August, 1926

riie Queensland Naturalist.

of tracliTtu* lava, a fact not previously recorded. This
year we were able to exauiine the sandstone, well known
to occur at Dnnwieti.

This is a clayey, ferrugineous, coarse'jjrained massive
sandstone. Such bedding: as it has shows it to be nearly
horizontal. Similar sandstone occurs also at Peel and
Coochimiidlo Islands. This has usually been rejrarded
as ]>art of the very extensive Bundaiuba ^lezozoie
samlstone series, wliich immediately overlies the Ipswich
coal measures, typical Ipswich measures occurring on
the mainland shore at Wynnum and Manly, Unfortu-
nately, the coarse-grained and loosely cemented sand-
stone at Dumvich is not a likely matrix for tlie pre-
servation of fossils by means of which its age could be
determined.

AVhen examining the water-worn (luartz ])ebbles of
whicli the coarse-grained portions are composed, w(‘ were
fortnnate in finding one pebble of weathered trachyte
or Trachytic 'tuff, which is of almost as great interest as a
fossil wonl<l liave been.

Jn its deeomposed ground mass of felspathic material
are embedded numerons phenocrysts of quartz with
sharp erystalline outlines, often i)artly corroded by the
magma or fragmentary, but none showing any rounding
by attrition. The ground mass sliows a tendency to a
flow structure, suggesting the fragment to be a lava
ratlier than a tntf.

In com]>arison, the trachytic Brisbane tuff, so
familiar to us all, shows very similar quartz-grains in a
felspathic gronml ]nass, the (piartz-grains being almost
as numerous, hut with a greater tendeney to he frag-
mental. and sometimes with a struetui'e suggestive of
a flow. Some of the rhyolite at Point Lookout also
shows very similar (piartz phenocr\-sts, many a])parently
fragmentary, corroded by the magma as in the pebble,
though not so numerous, and Avitli a marred flow struc-
tni'(\

Now. the Brisbane tuff lies at the very base of the
Ipswich measures, and tlie nearest known outcrops
occur at (’astra and Tingalpa, some 14 miles from
Dnnwieh in a wt'sterly direction. The nearest known
traehytie lava is Point Lookout, 10 miles to the north-
east. Tlie next nearest being some 40 miles distant.

As a source of origin for this pebble, we must look
■either to the Brisbane tuif or Point Lookout.

INiiiu hoiiV SI I in^> hiii k ( l^ui alyptus rhttu lioniann )
Simnybaiik, ii<‘ar liiisbaiio.

— Photo. C.T.W,

August, 1926

93

The Queensland Naiuralist.

Tlie Brisbane tub* is a rattier soft roek, which does
not stand attrition at all well, and would soon be ‘rroiuid
down to powder in a stream. It is unlikely to have been
carried 14 miles in a coarse <rrave4 hut cannot be quite
excluded on that account. If the ])ebble is a frap:ment
of Brisbane tuff, tliis would show definitely that the
sandstone is of Tertiary ajje, not Bundamba. for the Bun-
daniha sandstone follows in comfortable and overlapping
sequence on the Ij)swich measures, under Avhieh the tuff
lay buried. N'o fraoanent of the tutf could have lieen
available until earth movements and denudation had
exposed it, lon^ after Bundamba times.

Xow, the other trachytic eruptions, Flinders Peak,
Glass House Mountains, etc., have usually been re»’ard-
ed, though without absolute proof, as of Tertiary a^e.
They are 'almost certainly later than tlie Bundanba
sandstone, and it is more than likely that the Point
Lookout eruption belongs to the same idiase of
volcanieity.

If our Dunwicli ])ebble came^ as seems likely, from
the Point Lookout lava, it means that either the Dunwich
sandstone is of a later ])eriod in the Tertiary or else
that if the sandstone is Bundamba, the Point Lookout
eruption occurred previous to that.

As there is no evidence that the sandstone is part
of the Bundamba seines, Ave are justitied in sayino- that
the probability is stron^dy in faA'our of it being* of
Tertiary age, and this view is strengthened by the
recent investigation of Messrs. C, (\ Morton and Owen
Jones, Avho both regai’d tiie loose sandstone at Humpy-
bong as of Tertiary age.

We must, hov'ever, clearly bear in mind that the
age of the Dunwich rock is not yet proA^ed, though the
pebble has gone a long Avay to solve the problem.

If, as seems ]U‘obable noAv, the Diunvich sandstone,
as Avell as that of Pee] Island and (-^oochi-mudlo is
that of Tertiary age, this giA’es a large extension to the
already knoAAUi areas of post-mesozoic deposits near
Brisbane. It also opens up the question of the distribu-
tion of land and Avater in Tertiary time, for there is
nothing now but sand dunes betAveen the DunAvieh sand-
stone and the ocean beach.

0

94

The yueenslaud Naturalist.

August, 1926

THE EUCALYPTS OR GUM TREES OF THE
BRISBANE DISTRICT.

(By ('. T. White, Government Botanist.)

VI.

(Ccntinued from the “Queensland Naturalist,” Voi. 5, p. 53.)

9. Eucalyptus Planchoniana (Planchon’s String-ybark.)

Description. — A moderate to large sized '‘stringy-
hark/’ but often dwarfed to a iiiallee-like shrub on very
])oor soils, rarely forming a good bole, but branching
from near the base. Young i>ranchlets angular, often
markedly eomiu'essed-cjuadrangular. ('oppice (“sucker”)
leaves not markedly tliffertmt from the adult, but mostly
broader, not so markedly falcate and sometimes inclined
to be ovatt', 'S to 6 inches long and up to 2 inches broad,
ap(‘x mai'kedly aj)iculate, base oblique, tapering to a
stalk of about half-an-incb, veins and veiiihds searcelv
visible in the gretm leaves, but plainer in the dried,
intramarginal vein, one line from the edge of the leaf,
or oftgn much closer. Ordinary (secondary or adult)
leaves coriaceous, lanceolate, usually somewhat falcate,
often mark(‘dly so. the iitquu* ])art tapering to a long
acute apex; i)etiolo (leaf stalk) prominently twisted, half
to three-(iuarters of an inch long, blade averaging about
6 inches long and 1 im*h wide, midrib distinct, lateral
nerves obli<)ue distinct in the dried specimens, a very
variable distance apart, averaging perhaps about a
quarttu* of an inch; intramarginal vein usually distinct,
i to 1 line distant from the margin. Flowers in simple
axillary, 4 to 7 fiow(*red umbels; ])eduncle ^ to 1 inch
long, much Haltered, up to ] inch broad toAvards the
top: Calyx tube cylindrical, 8 to 9 lines long. 2 to 4
lines broad at the toj) ; operculum conical about 4 lines
high. Stamens very nnmerous, all fertile, about 5 lines
long. Seed capsule large; irregidarly globose and vein-
ed O'- ribbed, about v-incli in diametei*, 3 to 4 celled, rim
sinootli, vertically descending 1 line or slightly more
deep, valves not protruding.

Distribution : South-Eastern Queensland ( Brisbane
District) and New South Wales, as far south as Camden
Haven. Tt is vmry abundant on poor sandstone country
in the Eight-mile Plains area, near Brisbane, being
• commonly associated with ^Eucalyptus Baileyana and

liailryV Striiigybai'K or Hougti Striiij|^ybark (Kiicalyptiis
liailcyaiia) , Simnybaiik, iu‘ar Rrisbaiio.

— Photo. C.T.W.

C

' '' * ■;

o

?-

ki

i ■

■ r :.;• - .•••..♦♦

. • ; . •

•' • •* • ■• « -^ > :‘ jj;

.- ■ j.\^ . •■<■',

August, 1926

The Queensland Naturalist.

95

An^o])liorH Woodsiana. Oil Stradbroke Island and
Moreton Island (Moreton Bay) the species often covers
larp:e stretches of sandhills eonntryj where it is dwarfed
to a shrub or small tree of 6 to 8 feet; in better situa-
tions trees of the normal size occur.

Common Names : About Brisbane it is simply
referred I 0 as as “stringybark/' Maiden gives Bastard
Tallow-U'ood’’ as a local name in common use in New
South Wales.

Botanical Name: Eucalyptus (see under No. 1),
J^lanchoniana in honour of Mr. J. E. Planchon, one-time
director of the Botanic Gardens at Montpelier, Southern
rVance.

Timber: Tlie timber lias the reputation of being hard
and durable, but is not often cut due to the irregular
nature of the trees, catu those forming a distinct trunk
are often pipy.

Botanical Reference: Eucalyptus Plauchoniana Ferd.
von Mueller, Fragmenta PIiAdographiie Australite. VoL,
XT., p. 4.1, 1878.

10, Eucalyptus Baileyana (Bailey’s Stringybark.)

Description: A large tree witli a thick furrowed
fibrous (lark grey bark, often blackened by fire ,the bark
fibres much interlaced; the inner bark with tlie interstices
filled with hvittle, reddish, somcAvhat flaky material.
Branches of copiiice shoots purplish, clothed with a rough
. stellate pubescene. Goppiee (‘‘sucker’^) Ichats marked-
ly different from the adult, green and glabrous or glab-
lescent above, white and rough to the touch underneath,
due to a dense clothing of stellate hairs, opposite to sub-
0 ]>posite. variable in size, at first small (1 to 14 inches
long and .t-inch ^vide) elliptic on short stalks of 1 to 3
lines, later ovat(* w]} to 4^ inches long and 2 inches wide,
on stalks about 4-inch; apex apiculale. Ordinary (sec-
ondary or adult) leaves lanceolate, falcate or more I'arely
straight or nearly so, tapering to a long acute apex f>ark
green above: paler beneatli ; petiole half to three-ouart evs
of an inch long, blade averaging about 44 inches long,
from under half an inch to three-(juarters o-P a" ^ueh
Avide, the lateral nerves not very prominent
aboAT. more clearly visible beneath, where the veinlets
are also Ausible, main lateral nerves about 4-'^’^*h a, part,
but Avith a seondary nerve or nerves between ’^dra-

marginal vein close to the margin, scarcely vi^ibl^ above,
fairly distinct below. Flowers in simple 3 to 7 flowered

96

Auiiust, 1926

The Queensland Naturalist.

iim[)els in the upper axils, sometimes forming a short
teiT.;inal intlorescence, ])e(luncles about J-iueh long. Calyx
tube turbinate about j-inch long, tapering at the base to
a distinct pedicel of variable length (2 to b lines) ; oper-
culum rounded, about 1 line high, Avith a small apicudate
a])ex. Stamens 2 to 2 lines long, anthers small, the cells
parallel, opening by longitudinal slits. Seed-capsules
sub-globose or broadly urn-shaped, ^-irich or slightly more
in diameter, 8-celled, the valves very slightly protruding.

Distribution: Eastern Queensland and Xorthern New
South Wales. It is very common in the Eight-mile Plains
area, in the neighbonrhood of Brisbane (Sunnybank, Mt.
Gravatt, Kuraby, etc.). In Queensland it extends as far
north and inland as Eidsvold (Burnett District) and in
New South Wales as far south as the (darence River.

Botanical Name : Eucalyiitus (see under No. 1),
Baileyana, in honour of F. M. Bailey, for many years
Government Botanist of Queensland, and who Avas the

to collect specimens of this ])articular species.

Common Names: “Black stringybark’^ and “Rough
stringybark^' are names sometimes given to the trees.
“Bastard Ironbark'’ is a name given by Maiden as in
use on the Clarence River.

Timber. — The tirnbei* is not sawn so far as I know,
but is used, split for fences, etc., where the trees occur.
The larger trees are often faulty.

Botanical Reference. — Eucaly[)tus Bailey ana Ferd.
A'on Mueller in Fragmenta Phytograpliite Australia?, XI.
87. 1878.

Note on the Botany of the Species: Maiden, in his
Forest Flora of Ncav South Wales, Vol. I V., p. 71, iminted
out that Mueller in his original description “mixed up
tAA'o trees under the one name/’ and that his figure in
“Euealyptographia'' is a composite one of E. Baileyana
and E. eugenioides (this series No. 12). He then goes on
to re-describe the species. Tlie co-tyjie material, consisting
of ])art of the original gathering is in the “Queensland
Herbarium, “ and there is no doubt that the flowering
Specimens are those of E. eugenioides; the two trees grow
alongside one another in the ty])e locality.

•0

NATURE LOVERS’ LEAGUE.

Following the notice in the last issue of the ‘‘Queens-
land Naturalist/’ it is pleasing to report that the Honor-
ary Secretary of the League (Mrs. W. M. Mayo) inter-
viewed the principal of the Teachers’ Training College
(Mr. Morris) and discussed with him a scheme for teach-
ing Nature Study to the more advanced trainees. It Avas
arranged that different specialists in the Naturalists ’
Clul) should take groups for field Avork one afternoon
■every months from May to October, inclusive.

The first outing was held on Friday afternoon, the
28th May, Avhen a class of over fifty young teachers visit-
ed the One Tree Hill area. Mrs. W. M. Mayo and Mr. G.
H. Barker spoke on the birds, and Messrs. Francis and
White discoursed on the plants. The second outing of
the series was held on Friday afternoon, the 26th June,
Avhen a visit Avas made to AshgroA’e. ^Irs. AV. M. Mayo
and Ml*. 0. H. Barker gave instruction on the birds
noticed, and Messrs. D. A. Herbert and C. T. AVhite ex-
piaiued the trees and plants of the forest and creek-side.

I

SYLLABUS OF 3IEETIXGS AND EXCURSIONS,

SEPTEMBER — NOVExAUIER, 1920.

Satiirday-Sunday, Sept. 11-12 . . Elimbali, N. Coast Line*

The country around Elimbah has not before been
visited by the Club, but in the spring time seems to
present good opportunities to naturalists, particularly
to those Interested in plant life.

Saturday, Sept. 18 Wild Flower Show

■ School of Arts Hall, afternoon and evening. It

is intended this year to restrict the annual Natural
History Exhibition to wild flowers. It is hoped tO'
have staged a very representative collection of flowers .
from Southern Queensland, labelled up with popular'
and botanical names.

Saturday, October 9
Monday, October 18
Saturday, November 13
Monday, November 15

Nudgee.

Evening Meeting.
Ashgrove.

Evening Meeting.

The Council meets every second Monday.

I

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