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An attractive group of Tasmanian Wild Berries, from a painting by

Miss M. E. Wilson.

THE TASMANIAN NATURALIST

Journal of the Tasmanian Field Naturalists’Hobart.

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New Series—Vol. 1. May^ i948. : / ./iNo. 3.

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WILD BERRIES OF TASM ANIA

By Raleigh A. Black.

I T WAS after a recent eight weeks’ botanical expedition, com¬
mencing at a little-frequented part of Sisters Hills, that I
reached The Steppes, the former home of the pioneer, Mr. James
Wilson who, in 1858, impelled by the spirit of adventure, sailed
for Tasmania from Scotland in the Percy , in command of
Captain Wrankmore. As there was no mail service at the time of
Mr. Wilson’s settling down, he conveyed all mail matter at his own
expense from the Lower Shannon to The Steppes, where residents,
of the district, were able to get their weekly papers and news of
the outside world. The name not agreeing with the surrounding
country, I inquired of Mr. Archie Wilson the reason why his father
had chosen it? Mr. Wilson explained that his father had
called his place “The Steps,” in allusion to the upgrade from sea-
level at Hobart, mounting to 2,900 feet. As all people sounded the
name correctly no one seemed to bother how it was spelled!

My first visit to The Steppes was to accept a week’s most kind
hospitality to enable me to carry out a fairly thorough botanical
survey which, in most delightful weather, was highly productive in
the direction of making some new “finds” for Rodway’s Tasmanian
Flora , which is undergoing a revision, brought about by essential
changes in nomenclature, and in many new plants having been dis¬
covered since its publication in 1903.

As my purpose is to refer to the native plants on which berries
grow, it becomes advisable to define what a “berry” is from a
botanical angle, because many fleshy fruits in the bush are called
“berries” when they actally belong to another category.

1

A

Technically a berry is a fruit which consists of the ovary and
of whatever other parts of the flower which persists at the time the
seed is ripe, usually enlarged, and more or less altered in shape
and consistence; it encloses or covers the seed or seeds till the period
of maturity, when it either opens for the seed to escape or falls to
the ground with the seed.

The next step is to define what is a berry in botanical term¬
inology: A berry (bncca) is “a fruit in which the whole substance
of the pericarp is fleshy or pulpy, with the exception of the outer
skin or rind, called the epicarp. The seeds themselves are usually
immersed in the pulp, although in some berries the seeds are
separated from the pulp by the walls of the cavity or cells of the
ovary, whidh form, as it were, an inner skin or rind called the
endocarp .”

As some of our succulent coloured fruits have been confused
with true berries, particularly some of our drupaceous ones, it will
be expedient to give the definition of a drupe, namely; “The peri¬
carp of which when ripe consists of two distinct portions, an outer
succulent one, called the Sarcocarp (covered like the berry by a
skin or epicarp), and an inner dry endocarp called the putamen,
which is either cartilaginous (of the consistence of parchment) or
hard and woody. In the latter case it is commonly called a stone,
and the drupe a stone-fruit.”

^MONGST the fruits popularly known as berries are two species

of plants of Tasmania which belong to the raspberry and black¬
berry genus namely, Rubus: These succulent fruits are not botani-
cally included in the category of berries because they are a kind
of granulated berry, formed by the union of numerous 1-seeded
succulent carpels which are formed on a conical or shortly oblong,
dry receptacle.

“These fruits are an aggregation of small dupes, the sarco-
carp of which is very thin, although very obvious in the strawberry
and are placed close together upon a fleshy gyhophonnn , which is
more or less developed.”

Some readers, not finding any mention, under true berries of
that great favourite, the Coral Berry (Gaultheria) will conclude
that the writer has fallen down on his job, but not so: That fruit
not coming within either of the definitions of berry or drupe, must
perforce be excluded from the classifications, because it is actually
a capsule enclosed in a fleshy calyx, but it does not adhere to it.
Under this genus there are two other species which must share in
the same fate. This decision however, in no way detracts from
their baccate resemblance, nor their native beauty, which induces
the writer to give them a high place in his reference to popular
favourites which have passed for so long as berries.

Amongst non-botanists it is customary for them to call all
smallish succulent, coloured fruits, “berries,” and they will naturally
protest against these names being altered when, as they will say;
There is no need for a change! We have no grumble with these
people in their views, so long as they treat the matter in a truly
popular way, but when they enter the realm of science, dealing
with botany, then there are certain rules to be observed, necessitat¬
ing compliance with a system of classification, including termin¬
ology, which has been developed by the International Botanical
Congress and are accepted as standards for all botanical workers
until they are altered or replaced to better represent the facts.

2

It is correctly held that Natural History can make no progress
without a regular system of nomenclature supported -by a care¬
fully worked-out terminology, which are recognised and used by
the great majority of naturalists in all countries. In conjunction
with such systems workers, to be properly understood, must use
the same significations, so that amongst them there would be no
confusion when the term “bacca” or “berry” is used. It will now
be the better understood why the writer has found it necessary to
erect two categories — “True Berries, and “Pseudo Berries”—when
dealing with the wild berries of Tasmania.

Before closing this discussion on what is, and what is not a
berry, attention is directed to that peculiarly small elongated red
fruit of the native cherry, Exooar pus cupressiformis , Lab. The
first observation of it by an Old World traveller induced him to
publicly announce that the Antipodes was a kind of topsy-turvy
land in which, amongst many enumerated items, some trees pro¬
duced fruits where the stalks should be! When the fruit of the
Native Cherry has matured at first glance it looks as though the
traveller was correct in his belief, but closer observation shows
the fruit to 'be in its right place, but that it is small and incon¬
spicuous, whilst its stalk or peduncle has become swollen, red, and
full of juice.

Those species of the genera belonging to the family Epacri-
daccac, which normally produce dry, slightly fleshy and unattrac¬
tive drupes will be omitted from my List, because the idea of this
article is to write about those berries, true and false, which charm
the eye.

r pHE idea of my basing the Key upon the colour of the berries and
berry-like fruits is to enable the collector with slight knowledge
of botany to identify them with litle trouble; should, however, more
information be required, the index of Rodway’s Tasmanian Flora
may be consulted.

Of the whole collection of our bush flowers, numbering about
1,050 plants, only 15 bear true berries.

In the formulation of a useful Key, the fruit has to take the
place of the flower; because in some cases the appearance of the
fruit alone is insufficient, it has become necessary to refer to some,
where simple differentiation is difficult, to the number of cells or
chambers in the fruit as well as the number and a rough external
description of the contained seed, so the collector will be expected
for a correct determination to do a little dissecting.

Having collected the coloured fruits the first step is to discover,
with the aid of the Key, whether they are true or false berries.

To the inexperienced botanists this first step will probably
prove to be a little difficult, but when the idea and terminology are
mastered, then the subsequent steps should soon be mounted.

We must be prepared to meet shades or nuances of colour, and
in such cases we must do our best to interpret them in such a
manner as will satisfy the Key. To ease the position a great deal
in those cases that need them, for instance, in the three species
of Dianella, the live species of Coprosma. and the eight species of
Cyathcdes, recourse has been taken to corroborative factors in the
direction of shape and size of the fruit, as well as to the number, size,
and colour of the seed. From the foregoing it will now be under¬
stood that where I have mentioned the primary colours; shades of
them are inducted. _ . _ .

3

B

KEY.

TO DISCOVER WHETHER THE BERRIES ARE TRUE OR

FALSE.

JAR U ITS in which the whole substance of the pericarp is fleshy with
the exception of the outer skin or rind called the epicarp. Seeds
are usually immersed in the pulp but sometimes they are separated
from the pulp by the walls of the cavity or cells of the ovary which
form, as it were, an inner skin or rind called the endocarp.

A. —TRUE BERRIES.

Fruits not so constructed.

B. —FALSE BERRIES.

’ *

\ A.—TRUE BERRIES.

Colouraticn.—Berries, black, A (a); blue, A (b); green, A (c);
purple, A (d); red, A (e); yellow, A (f).

\ f

, * < •

(Fam. Magnoliaceae.)

A (a). 1. — Berries, one-third inch diam., globular, seeds usually
8, black, shining; strongly aromatic.

Drimys aromatica, F.v. M. (Mountain Pepper).

(Fam. Pittosporaceae.)

A (b) 1. Berries swollen, oblong, about 3 in. long, epicarp
smooth and glossy, becoming 1-celled, containing disc-shaped seed,
blackish-brown, rough surface, and usually exceeding 50 in num¬
ber. Berries sometimes white or red.

Billardieri Icngiflora, F.v. M. (Climbing Blueberry).

A (b), 2.—Berries about \ in. long, a var. of the above; plant
stunted; on mountains.

B. longiflora, F.v. M., var. Alpina, Rod. (Alpine Blue¬
berry.)

(Fam. Liliaceae.)

A (b), 3.—Berries globular or ovoid, about Jin. diam; usually
of a torquoise blue and containing 7 or more globular seeds of a
light colour, and slightly exceeding a pin's head in size.

Drymophila cyanocarpa, R. Br. (Torquoise Berry.)

4

A (b). 4. — Berries globular or oblong, 3-celled, of a purplish-
blue, about l in. long, each berry containing from 2 — 6 seeds, which
in shape are roughly a truncated octahedron whose faces are of a
glossy black; in size the seeds are from 3/32—2/16 in. in diameter.

Dianella tasmanica, Hook, f., (Tasman Flax-lily).

A (b). 5. — Berries oblong, blue, 3-celled under *in. long, con¬
taining, in all, 3 glossy black seeds 5/32 in. long by about 1/16 in.;
broad, convex on one side and irregularly gabled on the other; leaves
flat, plain on margin or nearly so; thickened top of filament short,
anthers yellow.

I). longifolia, R. Br. (Smooth Flax-lily).

A (b). 6. — Berries shading into a purplish-blue; globular, 3-
celled, containing, in all, 3 seeds of about the same size and shape as
those of D. longifolia. Leaves with revolute margin^-antlfC
linear-oblong, black or nearly so. .-' V : — : ^ ?

D. revoluta, R. Br. (Spreading Fla\-lHy). . > ^ V V

• ' ' ‘ A

I *' ■ /

(Fam. Pitt 08 poraceae>) * v _ ^7 V" ' /

. (’ i ' ‘ ' 0 *'‘

A (c). 1.—Berries swollen, 2-celled, about' 4in ; .long^ylindrical
to ovoid-oblong, epicarp felted to pubescent, containing up to 40
disc-shaped seeds with rough surfaces or wrinkled, dark-brown;
berries sometimes yellow or red.

Billardicri scandens, Sm. (Common Apple-Berry).

(Fam. Violaceae).

A (d.) 1.—Berries oblong, about i in. long, less in width, with
1 or 2 glabrous seeds, oblong or football in shape, showing hori¬
zontal suture and of the colour of leather.

Hymenanthera banksii, F.v. M. (Wakabut).

(Fain. Tiliaceae.)

A (e). 1. — Berries heart-shaped, about 1/3 inch long, containing
4 to 8 seeds; varying in colour from white to deep brown purple;
Seeds elliptical to obliquely truncate-elliptical, apex narrowed to an
acute angle, surface scabridulous and deeply brownish or reddish
black; with the exception, on the suture side, near the apex and base,
there are two pale conspicuous marks.

Aristctelia peduncularis, Hook. (Red Heart-Berry..)

(Fam. Ericaceae).

A. (e) 2.—Berries globose, \ in. or more in diam., 5-celled, con¬
taining numerous minute brownish seeds up to 80, as many as 8
could rest on the head of an ordinary pin. Berries, red, with white
and yellow ones amongst them.

Pcrnettya tasmanica, Hook. (Pernet Berry).

(Fam. Chcnipodiaceae).

A (e). 3.—Berries nearly globular, slightly depressed, about lin.
long, with their purplish-red perianths below them, or slightly en¬
larged and folded on the berries; l-seeded, convex on each face,
black and shining, size of the head of an ordinary pin.

Rhagodia billardieri, R. Br. (Sea-berry Saltbush).

A (e). 4.—Berries globose, 1 / Sin. diam., nearly exceeded by
the red perianths which adhere to the berries; l-seeded, convex on
each face, testa a dull black covered with minute weal-like ridges,
1/32 in. diam.

R. Nutans, R. Br. (Nodding Saltbush.)

(Fam. Apocynaceae.)

A (e). 5.—Berries oblong, about i in. long by 1 in wide; bright
red to orange. These fruits, in some cases, are lomentatious in
character, i.e., they are 1, 2, 3, or more 1-, rarely 2-seeded, joints.
The individual articles are berries. The seed, about 3/16 in. long
by 2/16 in. wide, has a scurvy surface, which when ruptured by
pressure flakes off like dandruff, is of a deep reddish-black colour,
and on one side there is a fold or suture, the apical end of the seed
tapers to a ragged nipple.

Alyxia buxifolia, R. Br. (Sea-box).

(Fam. Liliaceae).

A (e). 6.—Berries oblong with a narrowing apex, bright red,
about l in. long by 3/8 in. wide, containing 5-7 glossy black seeds,
one face of which is very convex whilst the other is irregularly
gabled; size about 2/32 in. by 1/32 in.

Astelia alpina, R. Br. (Perching Lily).

(Fam. Sclanaceae.)

A (f). 1.—Berries 2-celled, ovoid or globular, about i in—1 in.
long, containing numerous minute flattish yellowish-brown wrinkled
seeds, up to 670. Berries sometimes green, turning to yellow or
orange.

Solanum aviculare, Forst. (Kangaroo Apple).

(To be Continued.)

GLOSSARY.

Bacca, a berry, a succulent fruit with seeds immersed in the
pulp.

Capsule, a dry, dehescent seed-vessel.

Carpel, a simple pistil, or element of a compound pistil an¬
swering to a single leaf.

Drupe, the pericarp, fleshy or leathery, containing a stone with
a kernel.

Endocarp, the inner layer of a pericarp.

Epicarp, the external layer of a pericarp.

Gable, the triangular part of an exterior wall of a building
between the top of the side-walls and the slopes on the roof.

Gynophorium, the stipe or stalk of a pistil.

Loment, a legume which is contracted between the seeds.

Nomenclature, in botany, restricted to the correct usage of
scientific names in taxonomy.

Pericarp, the wall of a fructified ovary.

Primary Colours, violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red.

Putamen, the hardened endocarp of a stone fruit.

Receptacle, that part of the axis which bears one or more or¬
gans, the torus.

Sarcocarp, the succulent and fleshy part of a drupe.

Scabridulous, slightly rough.

Suture, a junction or scam of union.

Terminology, definition of technical terms.

Testa, the cuter coat of the seed, usually hard and brittle.

Torquoise Shade, a greeny-blue appearance.

CLUB BADGE. — Members are reminded that the club badge
is available; price 4/6. The emblem of the club, a platypus, is the
chief figure in the attractive design.

FOR SALE: A Guide to Collecting and Preserving Plants,
Shells, Seaweeds, Insects , etc. Useful to all members. Price 3d.
A club publication.

7

c

TASMANIAN LIZARDS,

By A. M. Hewer.

J^EPTILES, particularly Lizards, have suffered an undeserved

neglect by naturalists, and it is with this in mind that I have
been prompted to offer the following descriptions of the Lizards
of Tasmania. These are given from the layman’s point of view
only.

The deciding factor in the identification of all reptiles lies in
the shape and distribution of the scales on the head and in the
number of scales round the body. However, the following list
will, no doubt, be useful, and if it does nothing more than stimulate
an interest in the study of Lizards it will have served a useful
purpose.

For many years it was believed that all Lizards laid eggs.
This has been proved wrong and, in fact, most Tasmanian species
are viviparous—that is, they produce their young alive. So far
as is known, only four of our Lizards are oviparous, or egg-laying.

Popular names are given where possible

STUMP-TAILED LIZARD (Trarhj/saurus ruposux). Viviparous;
14 in. when fully grown. Colour similar to ‘'Blue Tongue's,” brown on
the hack with yellowish spots or bands, underneath, yellowish marked
with brown. This lizard was introduced some years ago and is
occasionally found in the northern part of the State. The scales on
the hack are very rough and the name sometimes applied to it
(Shingle Back), describes it very well.

BLUE-TONGUED LIZARD (Tiliqua scincoidctt ) . Viviparous;
About 2 ft. when fully grown; the head distinctly diamond-shaped.
Yellowish-brown above, with dark-brown cross bands, lower surfaces yel¬
lowish or spotted with brown. Usually met with in Northern Tasmania
and rarely seen in the southern part of the State; diet, snails, slugs,
grubs, etc., also feeds on small fruits and berries-

SOUTHERN BLUE-TONGUED LIZARD (Tiliqua nigrolutea).
Viviparous; about 16 in. when mature. Quite common all over Tas¬
mania and usually referred to as “Goanna.” This name is quite wrong
as the lizard bears no resemblance to the. true Goannas of the main¬
land; it is also known as “Jew” Lizard or '’Sleepy Lizard." Colour,
similar to the preceding species, hut, more distinctly marked; diet,
same as Tiliqua acincoidcft. Blue-tongued Lizards prefer open scrub
country and are seldom found in heavily-timbered regions.

SMOOTH ROCK LIZARD (EprrnUi whltll). Viviparous; mature
specimens usually about 10 in., although larger specimens are some¬
times found. Upper surfaces usually brownish, with two dark bands
and a series of light spots on the back, sides are usually spotted,
although the spots may ho absent; under surfaces vary pinkish to
creamy yellow, edges of the eyes and ear lobules always white. This
is a very common lizard in rocky country and occurs nil over Tasmania
from sea level to the mountain tops. It is an extremely fast runner
and feeds mostly on insects. It will eat small fruits, such as straw¬
berries, etc-

METALLIC SKINK (T^ygosoma mctaUicum). Viviparous; average
size about 6 in. Colour extremely variable and includes all shades
from greyish-brown to deep sepia, the back usually more or less
spotted, sides black, spotted with lighter markings; the colour under¬
neath is also variable, and may be grey or yellowish. In a large
number of specimens the underneath is coloured a beautiful coppery
red. This is the most common lizard in Tasmania and also occurs
over a wide area of Australia and adjacent islands. It invariably
drops its tall if handled by that member. Diet, insects, almost ex¬
clusively.

8

THREE-LI NED SKINK (Lygosoma irilineatum). Oviparous;
average size about 7 in. Bronzy olive above with a dorsal streak of
dark brown, sides black, edged above and below with a white line,
under-surfaces greenish grey to white. In newly-hatched specimens
there is usually a bright salmon pink blotch on each side of the head.

The lower eyelid is transparent, enabling the lizard to see reason¬
ably well even though the eye is closed.

In this species the body is relatively long and slender, and the
limbs very small and in this way it differs from its close relative
(Lygosoma cntrecastcauxiij. It is a reasonably fast runner and helps
itself along by wriggling its body, snakelike, through the grass. It
lays eggs about January—4 or 5 in number—and these hatch out in
February. An interesting point is that the eggs are laid under stones
in a community nest — three of four lizards using the one nest. Feeds
almost exclusively on insects and is common in sandy country.

ENTRECASTEAUX’S SKUNK (Lygosoma rntrccastcauxii). Vivi¬
parous; About 5 in. Olive-brown above with dark lines running down
the centre of the back, sides dark and spotted or with a dark band
edged above with a white line. In the male there is often a bright
red stripe running from the ear to the hind leg. This varies some¬
what in different specimens, and different shades from bronze to
salmon-pink may be seen. The female is without this colour streak.
Under-surfaces usually yellowish or salmon. It is interesting to note
that although this species is closely allied to L. trillneatum it produces
its young alive. Usually three are born from January to February
of each year. The lower eyelid is even more transparent than in
Ij. irilineatum, and the eye is quite distinct when the eyelid is closed.

9

EVE-SPOTTED SKlNK (Lygosoma ocellatum). Viviparous; us¬
ually about 6 or 7 in. Usually pale olive with small dark-brown or
black spots, although specimens greyish with black spots are not un¬
common, sides usually dark-brown with the very distinctive eye-spots;
under-surfaces usually greyish, sometimes spotted.

This is one of the two lizards peculiar to Tasmania, and it is
extremely common in this State. It occurs from sea level to well
over 4,000 feet. The lower eyelid is portly scaly, but is provided with
a small transparent disc. It is an extremely active lizard and, despite
its small size, is very difficult to capture alive. The young, usually
3 to 4, are born alive about January or February of each year, and
are quite active from birth.

1 have not, so far, located any specimens of this lizard on any of
Tasmania’s adjacent islands, and if anyone could offer information
regarding their presence on any of the islands around our coast it
would be much appreciated* For this purpose a picture of the lizard
is reproduced in this magazine.

Lygosoma yrctiosum. Viviparous; usually 4i to 5 in. Olive
above with small dark and light spots, sides black, lower surfaces
greenish. In general colour and marking it is not unlike L. ocellatum ,
and, like that species, is found only in Tasmania. It is very active
tind for this reason, it is not often seen, having taken cover before
a person arrives.

LiOjjosoma casuaiinac. Viviparous: about 12 to 13 in. Colour more
variable than the other T;ismanian lizards, anything from near black
through the various shades of brown to a brick red. One specimen
in my collection shows a. distinct slate colour. Lower surfaces are
usually yellow lined and marbled with black. The yellow is sometimes
replaced with orange In at least one specimen seen, the black
marbling was completely absent.

A most interesting lizard and by far the most handsomely marked
of all Tasmanian lizards. It is easily recognised by its long, slender
body and small legs, giving it a snake-like appearance. When in a
hurry it progresses by wriggling the body as well as using its legs,
and when annoyed, it will make a false strike and flick out its tongue
in the manner of a snake. It is, however, quite harmless and easily
tamed. A peculiar habit of this species is waving the tongue quickly
up and down—probably this is more or less bluff when danger
threatens. Diet, grubs, slugs, snails, insects, etc.

An interesting variety of this species was sent to me recently
from Tasman Island. Similar in many respects, there are, however,
one or two distinct variations. Before a definite statement can be
made it will be necessary to examine at least a dozen or so specimens.
A point of interest is in the sizt? to which they are reported to grow.

I am told they reach a length of 15 or 1G in.—a good 3 in. longer than
the average. Also, I am told that a number of specimens have short,
stubby tails. However, with the confined space of a small Island, this
may he due to In-breeding.

Lygosoma lesurrii- So far. I have not recognised a specimen of
this lizard in Tasmania, so ;l description is given in the hope that
someone may recognise the species: —

Size, about 11 in.; general form, slender; tail over twice the length
of the body; limbs well developed. Colour, brownish-olive above,
marked with a wide vertebral black band, tipped with white, also,
a white, black-edged streak on either side of the hack: under surfaces
white.

Lygosoma yunctatovittat urn. Again, I have not, so far, discovered
a specimen of this lizard in Tasmania. It is easily recognised, as it
is the only Tasmanian lizard with the toes absent on the fore-limbs.
The hind limb shows only two toes.

Size, about 7 in.: body rather long. Colour, pale-brown above,
each scale with a black dot; the shields of the head are edged with
black: lower surfaces yellowish white. Any information regarding the
presence in Tasmania of the two preceding species would be
appreciated.

10

SLOW WORM (Pygopus lepidopodus). This is the o'nl^ member
of the genus represented in Tasmania. Fore limbs ‘are completely
absent; hind limbs represented by small scaly flaps. It is easily mis¬
taken for a. snake, except for the moveable eyelids and ear openings.
This species is oviparous in South Australia. In normal specimens
the tail is more than twice the length of the body.

•'Size, up to about 2 ft. Colour, varies somewhat and may' foe
grey or brown. It is usually spotted with 3 or 5 rows of bl&ek spots.

Only one specimen has been officially recorded from Tasmania,
and any information regarding this species would be appreciated.

PRICKLY, OR TREE-DRAGON (AmphibnJurus muricaius). Ovi¬
parous; about 12 in. Upper surfaces brown, under surfaces lighter
with dark spots; usually a series of dark angular spots down the
back; tongue and inside of mouth bright yellow- It is sometimes
known as the Common Dragon, although, in Tasmania, the Mountain
Dragon is much more common. It is sometimes referred to as “Blood¬
sucker," but in reality it is quite harmless. This particular lizard
will, if in a hurry to escape, run on its hind legs only, holding, the
head erect. Not often seen but is fairly common in open country.
Diet, insects, etc.

MOUNTAIN DRAGON (Amphibolurus diemensis). Oviparous;
7 or 8 in. Brown or grey above, sides darker; a series of dark spots
down each side of the back, under surfaces paler, sometimes even
pale grey, inside of mouth pale flesh colour, tongue deeper-coloured.
The Mountain Dragon is quite a friendly little fellow, despite his
fearsome appearance. lie is easily tamed and makes a charming
pet. Even in the wild state he may he induced to accept a small
fly or grasshopper. Diet, insects, etc.

QUEEN ADELA IDE’S DRAGON (A mphibolurus ad(daiden/tU ).
Oviparous; about 4 in. Grey, with a series of regular dark markings
on either side of the back, under-surfaces mottled grey, tongue and
inside of mouth more or less yellow. This is the smallest of the
genus found in Tasmania, and is not as common as the Mountain
Dragon. It is usually found in sandy country. Diet, insects, etc.

VO, • ' ;f f

EASTER CAMP, 1949.—Suggestions about possible sites'for
the Easter camp next year will be appreciated by the committee.
In considering sites, special attention should be given to the ques¬
tion of water supplies and accessibility for transport.

FRONTISPIECE: Use of a colour block of berries as a "frontis¬
piece in this issue was made possible by the generosity of Mr.
Raleigh Black, F.R.G.S. (Lon.), the author of the paper which it
illustrates. The block was made from a painting by Miss Madge
Wilson, The Steppes.

11

BOTANY OF WILMOT HARBOUR

By F. A. Peterson.

QWING to unsuitable weather at Wilmot Harbour during Easter,

plant observations could not be carried out as thoroughly as
was hoped, lout a general survey was attempted. Few plants were
found in flower.

The first area to be described will be from the camp site, north,
to the Prince of Wales Bay.

Along the sandbanks of Wilmot Harbour, Coast Fuchsia was
in flower, also the common Nightshade (Solarium nigrum) with its
attractive white flowers. When the fruit is fully ripe, it can be eaten,
or made into jam. Near the camp, a large clump of Cytisus canari-
cnsis, with its bright yellow flower, sheltered Mr. Propsting’s tent.
Thriving in the Sana, the small bright red leaf Sorcl (ttumex
acetosclla); the kidney-shaped leaf-like plant Convolvulus soldan-
clla, the small spreading, somewhat yellow, fleshy leaved plant
Atriplcx bill'ardieri, and the small erect, long feathery oblong¬
headed flower, Tri/olinm arvense showed that, although introduced,
it could grow well in pure sand.

Back from the sandbanks, Prickly Tea-Tree grew thickly with
a few mixed gums and acacias. Crossing Cape Frederick Hendrick
the predominant trees were Blue Gums and Black Peppermint with
Native Cherry, Prickly Mimosa, Box, Native Currant, Cottonwood,
Honeysuckle, Bull-oak, Blackwood, Lightwocd.

Clinging to the cliffs in almost impossible places, grew She-
oak and Dogwood.

On the south side of the cape the ground was draped with
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum althiopicum) amongst the rocks and
damp places. Arriving at Two Mile Beach, little difficulty was
experienced in crossing the outlet from the lagoon, as it had silted
up. The sand everywhere was clean yellow. Along the front of
the sandbanks the False Boobyalla (Acacia sophorae) was spread¬
ing everywhere. For easier walking we crossed the sandbanks to
a track alongside the lagoon, which revealed a number of small
attractive marsh plants in flower, such as the Monkey Plant
(Mimnla repens). Creeping Brookwood (Sumohts rcpens), the Creep¬
ing thistle-like plant Sea Holly (Eryngimn vesciculomm) with very
rigid and sharp-pointed leaves and compact blue flowers, finally, a
small white fan-shaped flower Selliera radicans.

As we approached the bush again, Yellow Bottlebrush and
Native Lingnum Vitae were found.

Crossing the cape to Prince of Wales Bay, Stringy Barks and
Black Gums began to predominate, otherwise the trees were much
the same as those on Cape Frederick Hendrick. On the return, a
few of the party branched off. on the south side of the entrance to
the lagoon, and, led by Mr. W. Dunbabin, in a southern direction,
passed through some very thick mixed scrub and round several
marshy places which, at the right season, showed evidence of being
a garden of many water plants.

12

Only one orchid was found, Eriochilus autumnalis. Wild Rasp¬
berry, Native Daphne, Heath-Myrtle, Dwarf Musk, and the pine¬
like Astroloma pinifolium were among some of the plants identified.

We were interested to see the old channels cut, possibly a 100
years ago, (by convicts, to drain the lagoon at the back of Wilmot
Harbour. These were still in use, and here and there old posts
remain with only two holes, cut near the top for the rails to keep
the cattle in; there were no sheep in those days. The cattle were
landed there from New South Wales, fattened up, then passed on
for slaughter at the Port Arthur prison station, a few miles away.

The highlight of this walk was a small clump of Oyster Bay
Pines, about half a mile west, from the beach.

This was a surprise, as Pine Creek, on the East Coast was con¬
sidered the most southerly point where they grew. They were in
all sizes, up to about 9 feet. The origin is of interest, as about 40
years ago, some sheep were landed in Wilmot Harbour from the
East Coast, and it is considered the seed cones were dropped from
the wool.

On excursions south of the camp in the direction of Yellow
Bluff, Native Pepper, Pear and Olive, also Pinkwood, were found,
while Veronica formosa, and Native Fuchsia grew along the cliff-
edges.

The unusual shrub (Phyllanthus gunnii), with its broad oval-
shaped leaves, was also found, but the flowers were finished and
only the seed pods were left.

SEABIRD OBSERVATION: The Club looks forward to some
valuable observations concerning the occurrence of seabirds off the
Tasmanian coast and in Bass Strait, as the outcome of a Seabird
Log now being kept by Mr. R. Ainsworth, Master of the Koranui f a
freighter trading between Hobart and Melbourne. Mr. Ainsworth
is a member of the Tasmanian Field Naturalists 7 Club, and is mak¬
ing a special study of pelagic bird's.

LIBRARIAN. — Mr. R. C. Harvey, Richardson Ave., Dynnyrne,
is librarian for the Club. He is in charge of the cataloguing of all
publications and exchanges. Mr. Harvey is anxious to obtain back
numbers of “The Naturalist, 77 particularly copies of the early issues.

►

FIELD OUTINGS.—Several enjoyable and profitable field
outings were conducted by the Club in 1947. The whole of one
Saturday a month is usually devoted to these excursions. They
are being resumed this year. Notification is given on meeting
nights.

13

YEU.OU BL

SEDIMENTARY

HUMPERS BLUFF

RECENT-—SAM-AUWIUM

~ O

PERMO-CARBONIFEROUS- —MUDSTONE LIMESTONE,
IGWFOl/S

JURASSIC - --DOLERITE

AREA COVERS 0

CAPE FREDERICK HENDRICK

CAMP SITE. . . M

SCALE . 4-0 CHAINS TO INCH

&R£EN If- '$•

GEOLOGY OF A SECTION OF
FORESTIER PENINSULA.

By David Sargison.

AREA of coastline on Forestier Peninsula from Yellow Bluff
to the north-eastern side of Cape Paul Lamanon was traversed
during Easter, 1948, when the Field Naturalists’ Club camp was
held at Wilmot Harbour.

The greater portion of the country was characterised by
dolerite of the Jurassic era. Dolerite is an igneous rock which has
intruded into and block-faulted a large part of Eastern Tasmania.
Dolerite is basic in composition, containing from 45 to 55 per cent,
silica. The chief minerals in its composition are plagioclase, usually
a soda lime or lime felspar, with augite magnetite, and sometimes
olivine.

The intrusions and block-faulting of the area can be dealt with
under separate sections.

(a) Intrusions:—

On the slight rise above the Tasman Memorial Monument at

NORTH MY

^OOVLANDS

lAG-OOW

PRINCE OF WALE &

CAPE

PAUL

l API ANON

. j i<

DAVID. E .SARGISON

Chart showing geological features and botanical areas
at Wilmot Harbour, the site of the Easter Camp, 1048.
Drawing by David Sargisoh.

Prince of Wales Bay, Permo-Carboniferous mudstone was found
capping the dolerite. This mudstone was highly fossiliferous, con¬
taining many common marine shells of the period, so can, therefore,
be classed as Upper Marine Mudstone.

At various points the mudstone had been subject to intense
heat which, in some places, completely metamorphised it to quart¬
zite. The mudstone, which is of sedimentary origin, had been
intruded by the dolerite. The dolerite forced its way to the
surface via sills and covered much of the already laid down mud¬
stone. The terrific heat of the magma, which cooled slowly was
sufficient to bake and to metamorphise the mudstone. This magma
forced its way to the surface through lines of weakness, cooling
slowly, and resulting in the formation of well developed crystals
of the minerals in the dolerite.

(b) Block faulting:—

Much of the coastline has been subjected to considerable pres¬
sure with consequent faulting of the area. Most of the canes,
such as Cape Frederick Hendrick, have probably been block-faulted.
These capes, some 700 feet in height, represent the great thickness
of the dolerite. Faulting along the coastline has submerged many
areas, which have then been drowned. A good example of such
subsidence is found at Wilmot Harbour.

15

The small bay to the east of Cape Paul Lamanon was
characterised by cliffs of mudstone, much of which was interbedded
with shale. This mudstone was also rich in fossils, Steno»pera, Pro-
ductus, Fenestella, and Aviculopecten. At the western corner of
this bay an extensive fault was observed. Here the laminated
nature of the interbedded shale and mudstone had been folded by
lateral pressure. Faulting then occured, the shatter zone being
easily seen.

On the cast side of the bay the mudstone was overlain by
fossiliferous limestone of the same period. A dip of about 10
degrees to the east was observed, which is probably due to a further
fault or a continuation of the above-mentioned fault.

Yellow Bluff, which was clearly seen from Humpers Bluff,
appeared to have several hundred feet of mudstone at its base,
overlaid by roughly 600 feet of dolerite. Owing to the heavily-
timbered nature of the country, Yellow Bluff was not reached, but
it is doubtful if a closer examination could jhave been made. The
dolerite of the whole section was greatly weathered, many hill¬
sides being strewn with scree, which had been removed by weather¬
ing agents from higher outcrops.

Much of the coastline, especially in the vicinity of Wilmot Har¬
bour, was studded with small islands. Some o-f these were “tied”
islands, that is, they were connected to the coastline at low tide.
This fact provides further evidence in support of the drowning of
much of the coastline.

A blowhole was noticed a short distance from the western
side of Wilmot Harbour. It was situated at the head of a ravine
between two cliffs. Its formation is due to the constant pressure
of the waves beating against the rock. Rocks often contain fissures
or cracks which hold air. When waves find their way into these
fissures they force air out, which often exerts a pressure on the
landward side. This pressure weakens the stability of the rocks
until the air forces a hole in the top and the rock, then falling
away, produces a hole. An alternative suggestion is that the waves
carve out a hole in the side of the cliff, thus undermining the surface
rocks which fall in, a blowhole then being formed.

MUTTON-BIRD BANDING: Dr. D. L. Serventy, C.S.I.R.,
has banded a considerable number of Mutton-Birds (Puffinns tenui-
rostris) at the research station at Flinders Island, with a view to
checking their movements in between and during the breeding
seasons. The co-operation of observers is sought in taking full
advantage of this research into the life history of the bird, and
anvone finding a bird with a band on the leg is asked to notify
e : ther the president of the Field Naturalists' Club or the Fauna
Board, Agricultural Department, Hobart. It is requested that all
remains o r Mutton-Birds washed up on beaches be examined to
determine if any wear a leg band. The bands are of copper, and
bear a serial number as well as the words, “Notify Fauna Board,
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.”

16

BIRDS OF WILMOT HARBOUR.

By Hugh Wilson.

IN December, 1642, Abel Tasman anchored off the east coast of

Tasmania, near Blackmans Bay, and several landings -were
made by parties from the ships. Tasman's visit was made before
the era of enthusiasm for natural history, when botanists and zoo¬
logists accompanied the expeditions of Cook, Baudin, and D'Entre¬
casteaux. Tasman’s interests were entirely practical. Had his
journal contained more references to birds, a comparison with the
list compiled during the Easter Camp, 1948, would be of great
interest.

Wilmot Harbour is a deep bay with a grey sandy beach, en¬
closed between reeky headlands, with magnificent cliffs falling sheer
into the water. At each headland, but not obscuring the entrance,
are several small rocky islands. Across the hills to the north is
North Bay, where Tasman anchored; a bay with a mile long beach
of creamy-yellow sand. This Ibeach is backed by sand dunes, in the
hollows of which are thickets of Banksia. Beyond the dunes is a
flat covered with samphire and reeds and a shallow lagoon of
brackish water. A small sluggish tidal creek meanders from the
lagoon to the southern end of the bay.

Tasman tried to water his ships from this creek, but found the
water brackish. In some years a sand bar forms across the mouth
of the creek, excluding the sea water, and in these years the waters
cf the lagoon will be fresh. More rocky headlands separate North
Bay from the little bay where Tasman’s carpenter, Jacobzoon,
swam ashore through heavy surf on December 3, 1642, to plant the
Dutch flag. The monument in the bay which commemorates this
event was visited by Club members.

A low range of hills separates the lagoon from the large en¬
closed sheet of water which Tasman named Frederick Henry Bay,
but which is now known as Blackman's Bay. The mouth this
bay is almost closed by a long sandy spit, leaving a narrow entrance
at the southern end of the spit. This spit is shown on Tasman’s
map, and has apparently altered little in 300 years.

One of Tasman’s parties entered Blackmans Bay on December
2, 1642, and reported, “That at the extremity of the said point they
had seen large numbers of gulls, wild ducks, and geese, but had
perceived none farther inland though they heard their cries.” This
is the only reference to birds in Tasman’s journal, but it is a problem
to name the species seen.

The Dutch words are, “meenichte van meeuwen, wilde endt-
vogels en ganzen.”

They appear to be correctly translated as “gulls, wild ducks,
and geese.” The gulls were doubtless Silver Gulls, which are
plentiful around the shores to-day. The wild ducks could hardly
have been seen at the entrance to the bay, but may have been at
the mouth of the creek, where the party obtained water. It has
been suggested that the geese were Black Swans. Black swans
were a sensation when they were discovered by Vlamming on the
Swan River in Western Australia. Tasman’s men would not be
likely to call them geese. The large water birds in the area
to-day are the Pelican and the Gannet, but it is more Pkely that
the geese were Cape Barren Geese, which to-day do not occur so
far south, but which may have done so in Tasman’s day before

17

the early sealers took toll of them. Now they occur in Bass Strait
and on the north coast of Tasmania.

During- the Club camp the four bird observers. Miss H. Mosey,
L. Wall, M. Sharland, and H. Wilson, compiled a list of 50 species.
Their records have been combined in this account. Where a record
rests on a single observer the name of the observer is given, but in
other cases observers names are omitted.

LITTLE BLUE PENGUIN (Eudyptula minor). Miss H. Lake
reported finding a dead specimen, otherwise they were not seen.

NATIVE HEX (Tribonyx morticrii ). Miss H. Mosey reported one
in the swamp behind farm clearing at Wilmot Harbour.

PETRELS. No Petrels were seen though they should have been
visible at sea with the aid of binoculars.

SHY ALBATROSS (Diomcdea cauta). These were the only
Albatrosses seen. Many were soaring effortlessly over the waves
at some distance from the shore, and were the most numerous birds
on the open ocean.

Will IE-BREASTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax fusccsccns).
A party of Cormorants were seen on the rocks at North Bay, and
several birds were seen on the sea.

1^1 I PEL PIED CORMORANT (Microcarbo vielanoleucus). In
great numbers on the estuary at Blackmans Bay.

GANNET (8ula scrrator). Nearly as numerous at sea as the
Albatross, but stayed closer to shore. None seen to dive for food.

PELICAN (Pelecanus conspiclllatus ). Eight were seen resting on
a bank In Blackmans Bay.

TERNS. A surprising absence, none seen at any of the beaches.

SILVER GULL (Lams novae-hollandiae). Numerous as in Tas¬
man’s day, on all shores in Blackmans Bay.

PACIFIC GULL (Gabianus paciftcus). The one Pacific Gull seen
was soaring so well over the waves that at first it was taken for an
Albatross.

DOUBLE-BANDED DOTTEREL (Charadrius blcinctus ). The
only migratory wader seen was a Double-banded Dotterel, which had
remained behind when the others of its kind migrated to New Zealand
to breed. The breeding plumage and the urge to migrate are both
associated with the development of the gonads and when these remain
inactive the bird may not migrate. This Double-banded Dotterel was
in non-breeding plumage and spent its days with a party of Hooded
Dotterel (V. cuculatvs) or Red Capped Dotterel (0. ruficapillus).

SPUR-WINGED PLOVER (Tjobibyx novae-hollandiae) was the
most widely distributed bird in the district, and all told, one of the
most, numerous. It seemed as much at home wading in the waves
at North Beach as on the farm clearing, and wading leg-deep in the
lagoon behind North Bay Beach.

Both the Pied Oyster-catcher (Ilwmatopus ostralcvus), and the
Sooty Oyster- catcher (H. unicolor) were seen on the sandy beaches
although the latter is more frequently seen on rocky shores.

WHITE-FACED HERON (Notophoyx novae-hollandiae)- One was
seen by Miss A. Wall on the creek flowing from the lagoon and one on
an arm of Blackmans Bay. A Heron, w hich was s *en at a distance
flying across Wilmot Harbour was probably a Reef Heron (Dcmigretta
sacra).

SEA EAGLE (Ilallaectus leucogaster). Nests in a gully on the
north side of Wilmot Harbour. There were two old nests and one
which Mr. W. Dunbabin said was used last September. It was a
massive platform of sticks set in the main fork of a high gum tree.
One bird was seen at North Bay and Blackmans Bay.

18

BLACK-CHEEKED FALCON (Falco peregrinusJ. Mr. Sharland
saw one flying along one of the cliffs.

OWLS. One Owl was seen at night, but not identified.

BLACK COCKATOO (Calyptorhynchus funereus) was reported by
Miss A. Wall.

'pHE most widespread association in the district is a savanah forest
in which Blue Gum and Peppermint are the dominant trees,
with a ground cover of sedges, grass, and low shrubs. On the low
lying ground there are thickets which provide cover for shy birds,
and Banksia forms an under storey. As the Banksias -were in
flower, they provided nectar for honeyeaters. This forest contains
most of the (birds of the district, and in the following list the more
common birds are placed first:—

Yellow-throated Honeyeater (Meliphaga flavicollis), Striated Par-
dalote (Pardalotus striatus), Brown Thornhill (Acanthiza pusilla), Grey
Fantail (Rhlpidura flabellifera ), Scarlet Robin (Pctrocia multicolor).

Less numerous were the following:—

Green Itosella (Platycercus calcdonicus ). Fantail Cuckoo (Caco-
mantis flabelliformts), Tree-martin (Hylochelidon nigricans). Flame
Robin (Pctrocia Phoenicea), Dusky Robin (Amaurodryas vittata).
Golden Whistler (Pachyccphala pcctoralis), Grey Thrush (Colluricincla
harmonica). Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina novac-hoUandiac), Spotted Quail-
thrush (Ground Bird), (Cinclosoma punctatum), Brown scrub-wren
(Sericornis humilis). Blue Wren (Malurus cyancus). Wood Swallow
(Artamus cyanoptt nts ), Spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus punctatus),
Black-headed Honeyeater (Melithreptus afllnis), Spinebill (Acanthor -
hynchus teuuirostris), Noisy Miner (Myzantha rnelanocephala),
Brush Wattle Bird (Anthochacta chrysoptcra), Yellow Wattle Bird
(Anthochaern paradoxa ), Black Magpie (Strepera arguta). Butcher
Bird (Cracticus torquatus), White-imcked Magpie (Gymnorhina hypo-
Icuca), Black Jay (Strcpcra fuliginosa), (Miss Mosey). The Brown
Scrub Wren was seen in a deeply shaded gully south of Wilmot
Harbour, and in the Banksia thickets at North Bay.

At Wilmot Harbour there is an old farm clearing in which the
camp was located. For the most part the birds were visitors from
the seashore or the surrounding forests. A long stay would have
added many birds to this list of casual visitors. However, a few
birds were seen here and were not reported elsewhere, except on
the flats around the lagoon.

Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) } were occasionally over
the camp. Chat (Epthianura albifrons), were to ibe found on the
farm clearing and the reed beds, and frequently visited the beach.
Field Wren (Calamanthus fuliginosis) were flushed from the cover
of low scrub close to the camp.

Crescent Honeyeater (Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera) were among
the flowering Banksias at the back of North Bay Ibeach, together
with Yellow-Winged Honeyeaters (Mcliornis novac-hollandme) and
Spinebills and both Wattle Birds. A Pipit (Anthns australis) was
seen near the lagoon. Raven (Corpus coronoides) were seen in
flight, and ranged all over the district.

Introduced 'birds were not many. A flock of Goldfinch (Car-
duelis carduelis) were among the sand dunes at Wilmot Harbour,
and a flock of Starlings (Sternus vulgaris) were seen in flight near
the lagoon. Both species undoubtedly lived mostly around the farm
clearing.

19

FIELD NATURALISTS’CAMP, 1948.

General Account of the Annual Camp,
Wilmot Harbour, Easter, 1948.

By M. S. R. Sharland.

'J'HE Field Naturalists* Club held its annual Easter camp for

1948 at Wilmot Harbour, where a snug little bay flanked by high
wooded hills reaching down to a smooth grey beach, forms a
sheltered and picturesque enclosure on the eastern coast of Forestier
Peninsula, noted for its bold headlands and broken islets that bear
witness to the power of the sea when the south-easterly gales reach
their full momentum.

Forestier Peninsula, at its northern end, is joined to the main¬
land by a bridge spanning the Dunalley Canal, used by small
trading vessels as a short cut from Norfolk Bay to the East Coast,
and its southern end is marked by the narrow isthmus of Eagle-
hawk Neck joining it to Tasman Peninsula, some 12 miles from
Dunalley.

The eight miles of road—for the most part an apology for a
road—from Dunalley to Wilmot Harbour, leads over a ford on
Blackmans River and then through light forest, with many undula¬
tions, rocks, water-worn gutters, and a whole variety of obstacles
which put it in the nature of a bullock track and impart to driving
a spice of adventure. Some members preferred walking part of
the way to suffering the jolting to which even the heavy lorries
conveying the camp gear were subjected; at least one member,
missing his transport connections, was compelled to walk the full
eight miles, burdened with case and first-aid kit, and from all
accounts, the day was hot. There was an appreciable fall in the
level of the drinking water in the tank after he laboured into
camp!

A clear sky and full moon, however, illuminated the track,
softened its irregularities, and ornamented the forest when the
main party of campers, packed tightly in a lorry adapted for pas¬
sengers, drove in on the night before Good Friday, and they made
light of the stones and potholes, the bucking and swaying, and
with throats made husky with singing, arrived full of good cheer,
and with no internal organs unduly displaced.

The advance party, after four days* work, had the camp in
shape and received the members with hot supper and helped carry
luggage over the last short stretch which the lorry failed to
negotiate.

The road indeed was an adventure! And a test it proved for
the patience and ingenuity of a water-carrying party who were set
the task of conveying this in a tank over the worst of it, from
Blackmans River to the camp site, the tank perched on a four-
wheeled dray with Bill Dunbabin at the wheel of his tractor tow¬
ing it. Never did a road seem rougher to the anxious concentra¬
tion of the crew. Those bumps, those dips, and sudden rises!
Yes, the worst happened .... Under the pounding and swaying
the walls of the tank gave way, cracks developed in a dozen places,
the precious water gushed from the rents.

The leaks were stemmed, one after another, with wood and
clothing, and it was a tribute to the day-long efforts of the crew

20

that when the dray and tractor finally crawled into camp, very
little water was found to be lost. Here it was emptied into every
utensil available while Hon. Organiser Sargison, always ready for
an emergency, fished through his inexhaustible kit and produced
solder and iron, and with a little remedial treatment the tank con¬
tinued to do good service for the duration, 'being acquired at the
end by Bill Dunbabin, more or less as a souvenir.

The advance party did not loaf on the job getting the camp
ready for the main party’s arrival on Thursday night. The work,
always an important prelude to successful camps, was shared by
two women, Mrs. Widdicombe and Miss Mary Washington, who,
amongst other things, acquired attacks of hay fever through
filling sacks with straw for beds, the straw being dusty. They
worked well.

While on the subject of tributes, which perhaps should be left
until last, one should mention the names of several members in
the advance party and otherwise; but not only may it be individious
to specify any individual, it would also be the last thing that
individual would prefer to see said about him, since what was done
was part of the camp routine and the spirit of camping. Yet one
cannot overlook the service rendered by the Hon. Organiser’s chief
lieutenant, Burn. Widdicomfbe, who was a tower of strength,
physically and morally, and quite untiring in his pursuit of work.

Chief Cook Theobald, who has been invited to accept the posi¬
tion of “official cook” to the Club, was the most unruffled occur)ant
of that important office the Club probably has ever experienced. Rain
and wind, and even a wrecked kitchen, did not disturb his equanimity
and his culinary service was appreciated. He had two efficient
assistants in George Miller and Denis Andrews.

From these tributes and the description of the camp so far as
it has gone, one may gather that, in spite of a little rough weather
and a few flattened tents, the camp was a success—a success both
as a happy and informal union of members out of doors and as a
field event in which natural history observation and collecting were
part of the^ procedure. And the person chiefly responsible for this,
for whom full credit will be denied by none, was the indefatigable,
indcspensable Harold Sargison, whose organisation of this and
previous camps, with the aid of Messrs. E. Cruickshank and G. L.
Propsting, has helped to put the Club on a new plane and gained
.for it a substantial membership.

Personalities finished, it is well that one should state some of
the activities of the camp.

These consisted largely of excursions to places of interest.
Of such places there was quite a variety. Southwards, along the
coast, was Ilumper’s Bluff, where was afforded a fine view across
the harbour and numerous islets lying below precipitous cliffs,
with a pleasant walk through light forest past a very good blow¬
hole. The northern point of the harboux-, Cape Frederick Hendrick,
yielded a good view of Marion Bay. up the East Coast and over
to Maria Island, and there were three nests of the Sea Eagle
(Haliaectus leucogaster), only one comparatively new, to be seen
on the way.

There was thick scrub and forest 'behind North Bay, and a
lagoon, whei’e sevei'al intei’esting plants and birds were noted.
Notes under these headings will be found elsewhere in this issue.
Parties roamed through these localities, studying natural history.

21

There was also a full day excursion to Prince of Wales Bay,
some five or six miles northward, beyond North Bay. This is an
historic spot, yet seldom visited. A little distance above high
water mark, on the grass at the edge of the forest, stands a monu¬
ment erected by the Royal Society of Tasmania to mark the landing
on Tasmanian soil of the first white man, which took place in 1642,
when Tasman sent from his ship anchored nearby a small party
to get water and search the adjacent “woods.” Tasman’s carpenter,
who swam ashore 'from a small boat, is supposed to have touched
land on this stony 3hore and planted a flag where the monument
stands.

There has been a great deal of controversy as to whether this
was the actual site of the landing; but one does not need to do
more than merely gloss over it here and say the argument becomes
revived from time to time, and was even the subject of a little
satire in the camp itself when a camp-fire “pageant” in fancy dress
produced three characters symbolic of the confusion in the public
mind—three members in costume who seemed to have stepped out
of the pages of a history book, each bearing an appropriate sign,
“It was Here,” “It was There,” “Where the Sand was Grey.”

At the monument, while members reclined on the ground or
sat upon bush seats formed by fallen trees, eating their lunch,
Professor C. S. King, of the University of Tasmania, read aloud
extracts from Tasman’s Log, and as the story of the landing was
unfolded, no one could fail to visualise the actual happening itself,
regardless of whether it was here, there, or where the sand was
grey, three centuries before. The quiet sunlit bay, a trim yacht
resting on its calm waters, the breaking of light surf over a reef,
and a background of forest in which the presence of giant men
was once suspected because of the wide spacing of fbotholds cut
in trees—the lovely picture so dwelt in the mind that one felt this
was the real setting for a landing even if the monument were not
actually on the spot.

pORPOISES provided a remarkable display for some of the party

returning along North Bay beach. About 10 or 12 of the
animals were first seen behind the surf near the centre of the bay.
They approached closer, and, when opposite the party, swam into
the surf and all together “caught” a big wave and came in on its
crest, their bodies revealed in the clear window-like head of the
wave as it rose four or five feet to curl and break upon the beach.
Just before the wave actually broke, they turned and darted
through it, to await the coming of the next one. Subsequent waves
they caught in the same fashion, coming in at great speed like a
surfer on the crest, turning at the last moment to avoid being
spilled out on to the beach. It was a most spectacular display.
They moved round the beach catching every big wave, diving
through its plume, and evidently enjoying the fun, which, one thinks,
was staged for the party’s special benefit, since they ultimately
turned and followed us to the other end of the beach, though out
beyond the surf.

Bad weather set in after this. Local opinion was that when
porpoises come close to the land like that rain usually follows.
And in this instance it did, and the wind was strong and cold, and
it blew down the tents, making a decided mess of the kitchen, which
presented a dreary sight with bread and fruit scattered amongst
crockery and the odds and ends that cooks always use in a camp.

22

But no one was really dispirited. Through the courtesy of the
Dunhabins, on whose land we were camped, members were able to
take advantage of the shelter afforded by an old cottage close by,
and a big fire inside soon dried out wet clothing and restored good
moods.

This unkind weather marred nature study discussions and
camp fire concerts in the open under the trees. Nevertheless, it
cleared towards the end, and on the last night there was ample
compensation in the success of the concert and fancy dress parade
round a big fire in the bush behind camp.

Strange things came into the circle of light to parade round
the fire that night.

Witches from the Woods, with mysterious words,

Stirring a potion of snake juice and herbs;

Dormouse, Hatter, whimsical March Hare

And dainty young Alice with long blonde hair;

Little Bo-Peep and her rustic Boy Blue

With flotsam trumpet too good to be true;

Jacob and Isaac and Abraham too, and—

Out of the dark — a quite indescribable Thing with a Harp,

A curious and most diversified line

Of New Look, Cook, and Old Father Time:

The Little Lamb and Fair Lady in Robes,

The Tasman Triplets of “Goodness Knows”:

The Boy so fat (or not so thin), and

That bright little character, Huckleberry Finn.

The Kitchen, the Naturalist all Com pleat,

Puss in Boots so spruce and neat;

The Headless Woman, the Headless Man,

Mermaid, Pirate, and pretty Mary (Ann);

Goliath and David with sling and all,

A Haystack towering exceedingly tall;

Pied Piper and Rat with Dick and his Cat, and
An Eastern Maid and a great many more.

A strange and motley company of apparitions and figures of
fable, legend, and fairy tale, the like of which no camp ever had
seen.

One must, of course, not overlook making some reference,
slight, or slighting, as the case may be, to yet another of the out¬
standing characters of camp and camp fire, namely, The Hat. A
dignified relic of many years* service, battered and shapeless, but
none the less strictly utilitarian, The Hat .... What a Hat!
May be it was not the Hat that mattered so much as its wearer
with frayed pipe to match, who possessed also in full measure
cheerfulness and friendly aid when it came to solving camp problems.
That cherished Hat, obviously of an age which dated it of the
period when white men first put their feet on Tasmania, here¬
abouts was a Dunbabin copyright, and only the man of the name,
whose assistance in many ways was so keenly appreciated, could
it suitably have adorned.

23

Those who attended the camp were:—

Messrs. M. S. H. Sharland, Harold F. Sargison, E. W. Cruick-
shank, G. L. Propsting, B. H- Edgell, E. C. Forsyth, K. Aves, C. B.
Widdicombe, A. Brownell, A. M. Hewer, D. Sargison, F. D. Green, H.
Wilson, L. Wall. D. Brink, J. A. Simson, E. Hall, W. Dunbabin, F. A.
Peterson, Professor C. S. King.

Mesdames Widdicombe. M. Goldfinch, A. Brownell.

Misses II. Dresdner. II. Mosey, M. S. Washington, Miriam Fraser,
M. L. Fraser, M. Ibbott. M. Scott. E. Vaughan, G. Vaughan, IT. Lake,
S. Sargison, M. Goddard, .1. Butler, It- Featherstone, A. Wall, P. Batt,
F. Elliott, D. Potter, H. Robb, J. King, I. Raftery, E. Sharland, M.
Westbrook, M. Chandler, G. Norris, P. Atkins, F. Moorehouse, F.
Peterson, L. K. M Goldfinch, and E. Widdicombe.

Masters D. Widdicombe, J.. R.. and G. Brownell.

Staff: Official cook, Mr. C. A. Theobald; assistants, Messrs. G. A.
Miller and Denis Andrews.

LIBRARY.—The following additions to the Library are ack¬
nowledged:—

The Western Australian Naturalist , Vol. 1, No. 3, December,
1947.

Memoirs of the National Museum , Melbourne, No. 14, Part 2,
June, 1946.

Abstract of Proceedings , Linnean Society of New South Wales,
Nos. 582, 583, 584.

South Australian Naturalist , Vol. 24, No. 2, January, 1947;
Vol. 24, No. 3, April, 1947.

South Australian Ornithologist , Vol. 18, No. 7, October, 1947.

New Zealand Bird Notes, No. 2, No. 3, January, 1947.

Reports of the Great Barrier Reef Committee , Vol. 6, Part 1,
December, 1947.

Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland , Vol. 59,
Part 1, 1947.

SPECIMENS FOR EXHIBITION: Members are invited to
exhibit interesting natural history specimens at monthly Club meet¬
ings. Members displaying specimens are expected to describe them
and indicate where they came from, for record purposes.

24

Mt. FIELD NATIONAL PARK.

The Christmas “Camp.”

By Kelsey Aves.

UNOFFICIAL “Camp” was held at Christmas at Mt. Field
National Park. A dozen members attended and the fact that
they hope to repeat the experience speaks for itself. The wild
grandeur of lake, mountain, and moor in the Mt. Field area was a
change from the coastal scenery that has been chosen for most of
the Easter Camps and the district is a paradise for botanist, zoo¬
logist and geologist.

Christmas, 1947, was not blessed with good weather in most
parts of Tasmania and the party which descended from the bus at
the Lake Dobson huts on Boxing Day was greeted with an icy wind
which blew for most of the week.

The first major excursion was a trip over the Tarn Shelf, re¬
turning by Twilight Tarn and Lake Webster. We climbed the Golden
Stairs above Lake Dobson and skirted the northern slopes of Mt.
Mawson where the curious Tarn Shelf was gained, a ledge about
two miles long and mostly 200 or 300 yards wide, containing six
tarns and a fairly large lake, Lake Newdegate. This shelf has a pre¬
cipitous drop of some 000 feet to Lake Seal, a beautiful curved lake
of glacial origin of which a magnificent view was obtained. After
lunch on the shore of Lake Newdegate, we descended via Twilight
Tarn to Lake Webster, another lovely stretch of water, once the
bed of a glacier.

The other “big day” was the climb to the summit of Mt. Field
West (4,721 ft., with a sheer drop of 1,500 ft. from the cairn).
Although there was a high wind, the weather was kind otherwise,
and we enjoyed a view which must surely be unequalled in Aus¬
tralia. The whole of the view, north, west, and south, is of jagged
mountain peaks, and among those identified were Mt. Anne, the
Arthur Range, the Snowies, Federation Peak, and the peaks of the
Lake St. Clair park. Since everything for a good time is provided
by Nature in National Park we indulged in glissading and tobog¬
ganing races on a snowfield, and, needless to say, snowballing !

At 12 o’clock on New Year’s Eve the New Year was greeted
with traditional ceremony and toasts. It is probable that Lake
Dobson’s wild denizens have never before heard such yodels ,whoo¬
pees and other high-spirited tom-fooleries as were emitted by some
of the more irresponsible members of the party in the first hour or
so of 1948.

But to come to nature notes—there were plenty of wildflowers
for the botanists. As the bus climbed from the Park gates we saw
Native Laurel (Anoptcnis glandulosus), and Waratah (Telopea
truncata). Around the huts were Lemon-thyme (Boronia pinnata,
var. citrodora), Richea sprcngelioides , Orites revolnta and Bauera
rubioidcs , also the pretty little orchid, Caladenia augustuta. Another
orchid, Pterostylis cucullata, was found by one of the ladies. Amongst
the cushion plants on K Col we noticed only Dracophyllum minimum
in flower. Flowers of Pineapple Grass (Astelia alpina) were also
observed. A pretty pink Epaerid , an Archeria not yet officially
named, was collected on the Rodway Range. The Gentians were
late, and although flower buds were seen, unfortunately no actual

25

blooms were observed. The Conifers were “flowering” with a ven¬
geance, great clouds of pollen rising as we tramped through Pher-
osphaera and Fitroya (so named in Rod way’s “Flora,” now called
Diselnia).

As to the fauna, Mr. Hewer’s lizards were generally to be seen
on the table or clinging affectionately to someone’s arm. He also
collected several species of grasshoppers and centipedes as well as
planarians. The Brush Opossums visited us at night and we re¬
gretted that we had brought no flash light equipment. The Black
Jays also frequently reminded us of their presence, their raucous
voices echoing from the hillsides. One in particular, christened
Charlie, visited us on our window-sill many times. A pair of Eagles
was seen soaring over Field West.

Geologically, most of the conversation was on glaciers. As one
stands at the door of the hut the whole sweep of the upper reach
of the Broad River valley lies at one’s feet and it is liberally strewn
with erratics of all sizes. U-shaped valleys with cirques at their
heads and lateral, terminal and medial moraines, are all abundant.

All the larger lakes and tarns were also formed by glacial ac¬
tion, including the remarkable Tarn Shelf with its huge erratics
perched on the edge of the precipice. Mr. F. A. Peterson gave us
a short informal talk one evening on “Glaciation in the Park,” and
this was of great help in fitting our observations together.

MEMBER HONOURED: Informality is the keynote of Field
Naturalist Club camps; but at Easter, 1948, a more or less official
speech was made by the President on the occasion of a presentation
to Mr. G. L. Propsting, a senior member and a good camper. He
was given a souvenir to mark his long association with the club in
the field. The speech extolled the virtues and the value of this Hon¬
orary Life Member, and the assembled company demonstrated its
acclaim in a positive manner. The article presented was a neatly
fashioned tobacco “jar,” produced from an ostrich egg by the crafts¬
manship of Mr. Harold Sargison. The top of the egg cut off, was
fitted with a handle, and there was an attractive base, while on one
side, surmounted by the Club’s badge were engraved the words,
“‘Proppie,’ Wilmot Harbour, Easter, 1948.” Mr. Propsting (“Prop-
pie”), responded by saying a “low down trick had been played upon
him by Mr. Sargison;” but he would treasure the gift, nevertheless.

26

TASMANIAN FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB
Annual Report for 1947.

Financial membership of the Tasmanian Field Naturalists’ Club
Is now 121.

With regret we record the death during the year of Dr. C. F.
Hodgkinson, who had been a member since 1931.

In addition to the Annual Meeting, nine ordinary monthly meetings
were held, the approximate average attendance being (55.

Lecturers assisting at these meetings were: — Professors Hickman
and Carey, Captain Colbron Pearse, Messrs. M. S. R. Sharland, A. M.
Hewer, N. Laird, J. B. Thwaites, A. T. Caines, C. G. Elliott, and Miss
Wall. Subjects covered were, Garden Spider’s Web, Evolution of
Tasmanian Landscape, Eyes and other Features of Deep Sea Fishes,
The Pelican, Nature Rambles, Plants from the Past. Early Tasmanian
Naturalists, Broken Mill, Vegetation of Tasmania’s Central Plateau,
Maria Island.

The Easter Camp was held at .Adventure Bay, and was again
honoured by a visit from Ills Excellency, the Governor and Lady
Binne.y, A small unofficial camp was held during the Christmas-New
Year holidays, at Lake Dobson. National Park.

Museum Classes in Botany were held under the guidance of Miss
J. Somerville, and field outings, including a visit to Chauncy Vale
Sanctuary, were held in May, July, August, September, and October.

The Club's Journal. The Tasmanian Naturalist (No. 2 of Vol. 1,
New Series), was published in May.

The committee held two meetings to discuss the location of the
Easter Camp, 1948, and recommended that it be held at Wilmot
Harbour.

The statements of receipts and expenditure indicates that revenue,
exceeded expenditure by £56 3s.. The year closed with a balance in
hand of £112 18s. lid.

OBSERVATIONS: Members are invited to give an account
at monthly Club meetings of interesting observations they may have
made in any aspect of natural history during the immediate pre¬
ceding month. These will be recorded in the minutes for reference
purposes. Many useful observations, in the realm of bird life and
other forms of life, probably now go unannounced. Even what
appear to be trivial observations sometimes yield valuable informa¬
tion. So relate your observations at future meetings.

2T

TASMANIAN FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB.
(Founded 1904.)

M EETINCS are held at the Royal Society’s room, Tasmanian

Museum, Hobart, on the third Thursday in each month, except
December and January. The annual meeting is held in February.

Annual Subscription: Adults 5/-; juniors (under 18) 2/0.

Anyone interested in Nature Study is welcomed to membership.

Application for election should be made to the Hon. Secretary,
c/o Sargison’s, Jeweller, 21 Elizabeth St., Hobart, or direct to Mr.
H. G. Vaughan on meeting nights. Subscriptions may be paid to
Mr. H. F. Sargison, 21 Elizabeth St., or to Secretary.

Lectures, field outings, and nature study camps, are the chief
activities of the Club.

PUBLICATION FUND. — Members are asked to contribute
towards the cost of publishing The Tasmanian Naturalist, which
now circulates to all Australian States, New Zealand, and U.S.A..
and England.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: Members are informed that
club subscriptions for the current year are now due.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Charles Elliott and L. Crawford, two
enthusiastic members of the Club, have left to continue studies on
the Mainland. They are missed from the ranks, especially on field
outings. The Club wishes them well in their new spheres.

28

Group of members of the Tasmanian Field Naturalists' Club who attended the Camp, Wilmot Harbour, Easter, 1948.

Photo: M. S. R. Sharland.

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