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VICTORIAN NATURALIST:
THE JOURNAL & MAGAZINE |
Field Naturalists’ Chub of Victoria
VOL. II.
MAY 1885 TO APRIL 1886.
The Author of each Article is responsible for the fwets
and opinions he records.
Sonth Melbourne:
MITCHHLL & HENDERSON, PRINTERS, CLARENDON ST.
1886.
INDEX TO VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
VOL Ii.
_—_————
PAGE
Australia, Darwin on - 20
Australian Birds, Oology of
126
Ballarat Field Club - 48
Basalt-Vitrophyr, Notes on a
67
Birds, Notes on Habits of
Native 90, 104, 140, 154
Botany, Worma
Macdonaldi - - 146
Chudleigh Caves, Trip to
the - - =)
Coccide, Remarks on
Victorian Gall-Making 99
Cockatoos and Magpies
Habits of = - - d4
Collector’s Trip to North
Queensland 109, 130, 139
Correspondence - 63, 92
Anecdote of Duckling 64
Attempt to rear Cuckoo 63
Preserving Mixture - 92
Crows, Notes on Habits of
90, 104, 140
Darwin on Australia - 20
Errata - - 28, 40, 92
Eucalypts, Sanitary
Properties of - - 84
Field Naturalists’ Club
Annual Conyersazione 2
Exhibits - - = 15
Lecturette, Extinct
Animals - - 13
Insects - - =A:
President’s Address - 3
Excursions - - 31, 33, 94
Brighton - - =) | Hk
Lal Lal - - - 94
Lilydale - - - 33
Exhibition of Wild Flowers 82
PAGE
Proceedings, Monthly
Meetings, 1, 17, 29, 41,
53, 65, 81, 98, 105, 125,
le yace
Flora, Additions to
Queensland - - 74
Fungi of North Gippsland 106
Fungi, Victorian 76, 139
Geological Sketch of S.
W. Victoria 70, 102, 114
New Guinea Plants,
Notes on -
Notes
Catalogue of Australian
Hydroid Zoophytes 148
19, 146
Foraminifera = 28
Micro-Fungi - 40
National Museum - 40
Petrel Family - 28
Select Extra-Tropical
Plemtsis 52, 147
Oology of Australian
Birds = = 126
Orchids of Victoria 48, 142
Corysanthes - 144
Microtis = - 142
Prasophyllum - 48
Pterostylis - - 145
Plants, New Guinea 19, 146
Plants of Studley Park 24, 36
Queensland Flora,
Additions to - 74
Queensland North,
Trip to - 109,130, 189
Studley Park, Plants of 24, 36
Tortoises, Note on
Imbedded - - 103
Victoria, Geological Sketch
of SW. 70. 102, 114
Victorian Fungi 76, 106, 139
Wild Flowers, Exhibition of 82
Wilson’s Promontory, Over-
land Trip to 43, 54, 87, 150
ERBATA.
Page 27, line 19—for “Flowers September to January” read “ Flowers
nearly all the year round.”
Page 27, line 43—after “ Casuarina, Rumphius, Etym. read “ Supposed to
allude to the leaves resembling the feathers of the Cassowary.”
Page 69, line 29—insert “of the” after ‘felspar.”
Page 69, last line—for “‘ Weannie” read “ volcanic.”
Page 93, last line-—after “ lizard” add “ Grammatophora muricata.”
Page 94, line 22—after ‘‘lizard” add “ Pygopus lepidopus.”
Page 137, last line—after “and” insert “ some of.”
NOTICE TO BINDER.
No. 11, March 1886, is wrongly paged. Should read 137 to 148, instead of
125 to 136.
a a
~ AY 927 | ;
Venue.’ Nov. | Mae 1885;
THE
Dictorian Vaturalist:
THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE
OF THE
Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria.
The Author. of each article is responsible for the facts and
opinions he records.
CONTENTS:
, . PAGE
Proceedings of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria Pe en 1%
Annual Conyersaxione. cat ae a be. vas 2
President’s Address. ... Ee Res ae tas Soh 3
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THE
Dictaorian Maturalist:
Moreen INo: 1 MAY. 1885.
THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.
Tue morthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society’s
Hall, on Monday evening, 13th April, 1885.
The president, Rev. J. J. Halley, occupied the chair, and about
forty-five members and visitors were present.
The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following additions
to the Club’s library :—“ Science Record,’ No..8; “ Report of
Ballarat School of Mines,” 1883 ; ‘‘ Proceedings of Ornithological
Society of Vienna ;” “Supplement to Victorian Oology,” Part 1,
by A. J. Campbell.
The hon. sec. read the report of the sub-committee appointed to
re-consider the list of Victorian birds proposed to be protected. It
recommended that the following birds be struck out of the proposed
list :—Hawks, bee-eaters, crow shrikes (except magpie, at present
protected), finches, bower-birds, orioles, wattle-birds, leather-heads,
and parrots (except swamp or ground parrakeet.) On the motion
of Mr. Gregory, the consideration of the report was postponed till
next meeting, pending replies from other societies, &c.
The hon. sec. read a short account of the excursion to Gipsy
Village, Brighton, held on the previous Saturday, which had been
well attended, and the members present were fairly successful in
their finds. ‘The rare orchids, Hriochilus fimbriatus and Pterostylis
apyhila, being obtained in bloom.
The following ladies and gentlemen were elected members of the
Club:—Mrs. Beal, Mis. C. W. Simson, Miss E. C. Simson, Messrs
A. Campbell, J. P. Chirnside, R. A. Poole, and J. Russell, and
Masters S. and D. Coghill, as junior members. Thirteen nomin-
ations were received for next meeting.
Messrs A. J. Campbell and J. E, Prince were elected to audit the
accounts of the Club previous to the annual meeting.
bo
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
Nominations for office-bearers for the year 1885-6 were then
received, in each case the retiring office-bearers being the only
persons nominated, except for hon. treasurer, for which Mr. Bage
was nominated instead of Mr. Matthias. Three ladies and eight
gentlemen were proposed as members of committee, being, Mrs.
Dobson, Mrs. J. Simson, Miss Campbell, and Messrs Best, Gatliff,
Hill, Le Sotief, Prince, Topp, Watts, and Wisewould. Mr. Best
gaye notice that he would move at the annual meeting that the
number of members of committee be increased from five to eight.
Mr. J. E_ Prince, on behalf of Messrs Field and Son, of
Birmingham, presented the Club with a valuable microscope for
the use of the members, for which a hearty vote of thanks was
tendered to him.
The hon, sec. announced that at the annual conyersazione to take
place on the 29th inst, lecturettes would be delivered by the Rev.
A. W. Cresswell, M. A., on “The Extinct Animals of Australia;”
and by himself on “ Forms and Metamorphoses of Insects.”
Papers read:—By Messrs Gregory and Lucas ‘“ Notes of an
overland trip to Wilson’s Promontory,” Part I. Mr. Gregory read
the descriptive part and Mr. Lucas the Natural History notes of the
journey between the Trafalgar Railway Station and Mr. Mille’s
station at Yanakie, about two thirds of the distance travelled
The following were the principal exhibits of the evening:—By
Mr. G. Coghill, five orchids in bloom, obtained on excursion to
Gipsy Village, viz., Eriochilus autumnalis, E. fimbriatus, Pterostylis
aphylla, P. nana, and Prasophyllum Archert; by Mr. C. French,
260 species of Australian Coleoptera, family Buprestide, also
orchids in bloom Eriochilus fimbriatus and Pterostylis aphylla; by
Master C, French, carved gourd, from New Guinea; by Mr. G. R.
Hill and Masters Hill, Victorian lepidoptera; by Mr. D. Le Soiief,
living slow-worm; by Mr. T. A. Forbes-Leith, five British Birds,
Rook, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Curlew, and Oyster-
catchers, also pair of Opossum mice ; and by Mr. F. Reader, plants
from Studley Park, (orders Apocynee, Solanacee).
After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated.
FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.
ANNUAL CONVERSAZIONE.
Tan Fifth Annual Conversazione of the Club was held at the
Royal Society’s Hall on Wednesday evening, 29th April, 1885,
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 3
when there was a very large attendance of the members and their
friends, it being estimated that over 350 ladies and gentlemen were
present.
On their arrival the visitors rambled through the lower rooms of
the building, which contained a very fine display of objects of
natural history both living and dead The tables were arranged on
a much better plan than last year, and allowed greater facilities for
studying the many excellent and beautiful exhibits, which will be
fully detailed further on. Prominent among these may be noticed
the magnificent collection of Australian parrots, shown by Mr. T.
A. Forbes-Leith, the case containing representatives of 65 species;
the many rare beetles, butterflies, and moths exhibited by Mr. C.
French; the fine collections of shells by Messrs Gatliff and Worcester;
the lepidoptera of Mr. Kershaw; the Australian coleoptera of Mr.
Best; the Victorian sponges by Mr. Lucas; the live snakes by Mr.
D. Le Souéf; the rare plants by Baron von Mueller; and the growing
Victorian ferns by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard.
After a pleasant half-hour among the birds, insects, ete., the
visitors assembled in the upper hall to hear the Rey. J. J. Halley
deliver the presidential address, which was as follows:—
Lavizs anp GentLemeN, Mempers or THe Fistp Natura.ist
Crus or Victoria,
In the address, which custom assigns to the President of a society
jike ours, at its annual gathering an opportunity is given for a
deliverance on any great subject that may have agitated intellectual
society, or work done may be reviewed, or suggestions for future
operations may be advanced. But before I attempt to do my poor
part in any one of these directions it must be mine to thank my
fellow-members for the very high honour they have conferred upon
me in unanimously and cordially electing me to be their President
—an honour alike unsought and unwished for. ladies and
gentlemen, while I thank you for this honour, I think that you
have made a mistake. Your President should be one who, in the
arena of science, has won his knightly spurs like my learned prede-
cessors, Professor M‘Coy and Dr. Dobson, rather than one who
pretends to be but an esquire, achieving uo conquests for himself, but
merely bearing arms after nobler combatants. I may, at any rate,
congratulate our Club on the pleasant and prosperous year that now
draws to a close. Our meetings have been always interesting
and instructive, and sometimes specially so. Rare and costly
specimens in all departments of natural history have graced our
exhibitions. Papers not unworthy of more ambitious societies have
been read, honest work in the field has been done, and we number
in our guild 160 ladies and gentlemen.
4 THE VIOTORIAN NATURALIST.
Nor need we fail to congratulate ourselves that, of the
learned societies of Victoria, we have been the first to recognise
that there are priestesses worshipping in the temple of Nature.
Other societies have invited ladies to grace and add _ sweet-
ness and lustre to annual gatherings, or occasionally, in
a kind of superior patronising way, have arranged special
evenings when more serious work was dispensed with, and curious
or pretty things were shown or said, fitted to what was evidently
deemed the taste of weaker intellects, but not only thus we meet
on gala days in festive dress, but to share with us in honourable
toil, side by side to delve in intellectual mines—to make common
explorations into undiscovered lands of science—to strive to make
nature give up her secrets, recognising in the fullest sense a
common inheritance and a common right. The roll of our member-
ship bears the names of 20 sisters of science. With the higher
education of women an accomplished fact, with a girls’ college in
this city distancing in matriculation honours all the boys’
grammar schools and colleges, I am sure of this, that whether we
men will or will not, sooner or later we shall have to open, without
distinction of sex, the doors of all our intellectual and scientific
societies, and I trust that it will be our privilege, before many years
have passed, to listen to this annual address delivered by one of
the sisterhood of our guild.
It is evident that this action of ours looks far beyond the mere
admission of ladies to our meetings, and it is for this that I dwell
upon it, for we cannot but recognise that it must play no unim-
portant part in what may be called “ the domestication of science.”
We may be thankful that at last, however inadequately, natural
science forms a part of the curriculum of most of our higher
schools. The more common phenomena of nature are, at any rate,
investigated and explained, and principles are more or less dis-
cussed. Collections of fauna and flora are common in our homes.
Microscopes are found in nearly all studies. The happy home is
certainly the intelligent home—the home where each member is
able to add something to the common stock of thought and know-
ledge, and, as has been said, ‘‘ where the family does not consist of
an ill-assorted aggregation of babies, great and small, dependent
for their amusement upon some rattle of frivolity, or the chance of
a stranger tickling them with a fashionable straw.” The increase
of our intelligent and happy homes has been brought about by the
increase of our intelligent mothers and sisters. Cynics will, doubt-
less, say that the majority of our young men care far more for
sport than science, for cricket than for conchology, for football
than for floriculture, for rifles than for reflection; and that
mothers must bring up girls to suit the taste of the market, what-
ever it may be—if the demand be for frivolity, frivolity must be
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. )
produced ; if for stupidity, stupidity must be forthcoming. We
may hope that the cynic’s sneer is fast losing its sting—that the
demand for frivolity, ignorance, or stupidity is getting to be at a
‘discount ; and to the women of our own day, members of our Club
or not, we will quote the words of that great master of science,
Sir Humphrey Davy, in an appeal to women made seventy-four
years ago: ‘ Let them make it disgraceful for men to be ignorant,
and ignorance will perish; and that part of their empire founded
upon mental improvement will be strengthened and exalted by
time, will be untouched by age, will be immortal in its youth.”
Of all schools of knowledge alter those »f music, painting, and
sculpture, natural science is the best adapted for domestication.
Some departments of intellectual investigation seem to adapt
themselves more to the study than the parlour—to invite their
devotees to solitude rather than to company ; but the pleasure of a
discovery in the world of nature is more than doubled by being
shared; and the pathway to its mountain heights is made easy
when travelled in company. In- this colony of ours, with all its
exuberance of youth, with all its free, wild life, with all its deifica-
tion of manly sports, the domestication of science will help to
teach
That life is not an idle ore,
But iron dug from central gloom,
And heated hot with burning fears,
And dipt in baths of burning tears,
And batter’d with the shocks of doom.
We have fallen on utilitarian days. Societies have to show that
they have a right to existence ; a razson d’étre is demanded from
all. Our answer to the challenge thrown down then is, that we
exist for the purpose of popularising science—of fostering a love for
nature—not by the mere study of what other men have seen or the
examination of theories propounded by the giants of our race—but
by examination for ourselves in the field. Not that the study of
books is to be neglected—none of us can afford to do that—but to use
our book knowledge as a guide to our field investigation, and
by actual observation for ourselves to verify or otherwise what books
have taught us. In this learning we must be content to be patient,
reverant, childlike, not too hasty, from imperfect data, to jump
to conclusions—nor yet, when we get undoubted facts, too conserva-
tive to give up any pre-conceived opinions or theories. Starting
from our books, going into the field, observing, arranging, theoris-
ing, we shall need to understand how, on the one hand, to avoid the
Scylla of wild speculation, and on the other hand the Charybdis of
mere antiquated and worn out belief. The more we learn the more
modest we shall doubtless become ; itis the tyros, not the veterans,
who are sure about everything—the many times that we have to
6 THE VIOTORIAN NATURALIST.
modify our opinions will teach as modesty of expression. But if we
are true students of nature we shall never tire of listening to her
teachings, for she will lead us into a veritable fairyland, and she will
tell us wondrous tales. To her children nature is as Longfellow
makes her in his poem on the birthday of Agassiz—an old nurse—
and she sings to her children thus—
Come, wander with me, she said,
Into regions yet untrod,
And read what is still unread
In the manuscript of God.
And he wandered away, away,
With Nature, the dear old nurse,
Who sang to him night and day
The rhymes of the universe.
And whenever the way seemed long,
Or his heart began to fail,
She would sing a more wonderful song,
Or tell a more wonderful tale.
The study of nature is no longer a hidden mystery, to be
unveiled only to a few initiated ones. The days when the
goddess was carefully hidden from the gaze of the common people,
guarded by priests, jealous lest any save themselves should behold
the Deity, have passed away. Isis has been unveiled, and all who
will may, by living study, enter into the most secret recesses of the
fane. Again, then, we affirm the aim of our Club is the
popularisation and domestication of science.
I ask, next, what are the facilities afforded for the study of
natural science in this colony of ours? The wisdom of the
founders of institutions in this young land has been shown by the
liberality with which provision has been made for the study of art
and science. Our public library, our picture gallery, our botanical
gardens, zoological gardens, and museums are the pride of our city,
and a wonder to those who remember that not a century has passed
since one was ‘‘first to sail into a silent sea,” and barely
fifty years since white men made a home where our stately city
now stands. That these liberal provisions were made none too
soon is evidenced by the fact that there is hardly a literary or a
scientific society of the old land that does not find its counterpart
here, and it is indeed to be hoped that Australia’s children may
not only hold their own in the cricket field, not only fight side by
side on Africa’s sands with England’s sturdiest, fired by a noble,
if, perchance, a somewhat wild ambition, but also win their laurels
in the arena of literature, science, and art.
As I have already intimated, the first need of a student is books
—books to guide him in the way he wants to travel. Of manuals
~l
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
dealing generally with scientific subjects or treating of great
principles our private and public libraries are well supplied.
Botanical and zoological text books are not difficult to obtain, but
what we do need is books dealing specifically with the various
departments of fauna and flora as they are found in this colony.
This need was pointed out by my learned predecessor in this chair,
Dr. Dobson, who last year pleaded for a “ \Jichotomous Key to the
Plants of the Colony,” and so well did Dr. Dobson plead, and so
wisely did he act, that the Government Botanist, the Baron von
Mueller, readily undertook the preparation of such a key, and has,
during the past ye:r, given to it much attention, and hopes ere long
to have it r.ady for publication. I understand that this key is to
be made as useful as possible in that it will be illustrated. Those
of our members who make botany their study are to be congratu-
lated on the prospect of so soon having their labours lightened.
But what Baron von Mueller is doing for plants is much needed
in all departments. Our students find it very difficult to learn
what objects have or what have not been described. A strange
shell, or mollusc, or zoophyte is found, and there is nothing to tell if
it be new to science or not; often even its generic place is hard
to discover. What we need are monographs or catalogues. So far
as one family is concerned, this want has been, during the past year,
ably supplied by the publication of a catalogue of ** Australian
Hydroid Zoophytes.”” We are indebted for this immense help in
the study of forms familiar on all our sea coasts to Mr. W. M.
Bale, Secretary of the Microscopical Society of Victoria, and a
member of our Club. Mr. Bale has described and figured nearly
200 forms, diligently searching previous records, and so presenting
to us a catalogue made up to date. The illustrations, so carefully
and accurately lined, will enable, in connection with the descriptions,
the observer to identify and name any of the forms that may come
under his notice. An introduction of 4U pages gives a sketch of the
most important features of the structure and life history of the Hydroid
Zoophytes. We cannot, however, while congratulating the author
on the useful and important work he has produced, but express our
regret that the book is headed “ Australian Museum,” rather than
that of the National Museum of Victoria, and the imprint of
Thomas Richards, Government Printer of Sydney, rather than that
of John Ferres, Government Printer of Melbourne. It is hardly
creditable that the bringing out of an important work on Natural
History by a Victorian student should have been undertaken by the
Government of another colony.
Nor must I pass without notice a catalogue of the eggs of
Victorian birds, by Mr. Campbell, together with a supplement.
While Gould left little to do, so far as the birds of Australia are
concerned, he was not able, from the comparatively short time he
8 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
was in the colonies, to tell us much of the oology of our Aves.
Now that students are directing their attention to life histories, a
knowledge of embryology has become a matter of great importance,
and, in connection with embryology, oology is likely to assist in the
elucidation of many mysteries. During the year Prof. M‘Coy has
been enabled to publish the ninth decade of the “‘ Natural History
of Victoria.” The first of these decades bears date the 24th June,
1878, so that at the present rate we get the.description on an
average of fifteen forms a year. Our mathematical friends will be
able to calculate at what distant period the memoirs of our museum
will be complete, and geologists may perchance uream as to what
will be the geological state of our earth when the last plate shall
be issued, and how many of the present living forms will then
more fitly find a place in a paleontological record. As to the pro-
dromus of the paleontology of Victoria, the last decade bears date
1st of September, 1881. Since that date many collectors of
organic remains have been anxiously and patiently waiting for their
description. It is much to be regretted that the able and learned
professor, whose accurate knowledge none can doubt, is unable,
from his numerous and important engagements, more frequently to
issue these helpful and beautifully illustrated papers, for it can
hardly be that the Government of so wealthy a colony grudges the
sum required for their production. True students will, however,
battle on with or without aid, and doubtless difficulties will only
incite to noble effort.
In this connection I cannot but mention the ‘“ Forest Flora ot
South Australia,” by Mr. J. E. Brown, Conservator of Forests in
that colony. The size and beauty of the plates will charm all the
lovers of our native woodlands. Nor must we forget our own
modest manual of the Club’s proceedings, ‘‘ The Victorian
Naturalist,” of which our first volume has been published, and in
which will be found many papers of interest—a baby yet among
such like productions, but promising to grow bigger and stronger
as members of the Club enrich its pages by their observations, and
increase its circulation by their efforts.
Passing from the literature of our subject, we come to collections
of specimens alive or dead. The student of animal life can spend
many pleasant hours in the zoological collection at the Royal Park,
and if he has the good fortune to secure Mr. Le Souef as his guide,
philosopher, and friend, his pleasure will be doubled. Whatever
blame may possibly, and only possibly, rest on the shoulders of the
Acclimatisation Society of Victoria in respect to some of their
introductions into the colony, nothing but praise can be awarded to
them for the care and enterprise that has been shown in the
collection and management of their gardens—gardens that will
surely induce a love of natural history in the minds of young
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 9
Victorians, but which also prove of great value to the student who
wants to study the habits of beasts, birds, and reptiles. However
skilful a taxidermist may be, he can never give to his skins the
subtle and mysterious quiver of life, so that the student who wants
to understand life and its history seeks to learn from living objects,
and the gardens of the Acclimatisation Society meet a felt need.
The wealth of our city in this direction has been added to
by the opening of the aquarium in the Exhibition Building. It
is true that at present but few species have been secured, and
that whole classes of marine fauna, such as the Actinozoa, that
make some of the tanks at Brighton, England, gay as tulip-beds,
are conspicuous by their absence, yet enough has been done, and
well done, to show what the possibilities are, and doubtless the
management, which has made so good a beginning, will not rest till
the icthyologist finds, not only something to amuse, but oppor-
tunity for grave study. The names of the inhabitants are well and
conveniently set out on the tanks ; but, for the sake of the many
who have no knowledge at all of fish, it would be well, in cases
where more than one species are in the same tank, to give a
description, brief but clear, so as clearly to indicate which is which.
It is amusing to listen for a little while at one of such tanks, and
note the strange guesses made, and the stranger reasons given for
the belief entertained.
We have four museums, all of which demand attention, and
render aid to the student of natural history, and should enable the
collector to name most of his finds, and so to put him in the way
of studyiug correctly life histories. In this way home collections
will be more than pretty toys, and the aim of our club and the
subject of our paper will begin to be realised—the domestication of
natural science.
Of our National Museum, for its large collection and the admir-
able way in which the taxidermist has arranged many of the groups
of birds and animals, we have a just right to be proud. Having
visited many of the natural history museums both at home
and on the Continent, our own, I ean safely say, in many respects,
contrasts most favourably with these, in some, carries off the palm for
excellency. But there is here yet much to be desired, and a
deputation from our Club waited on the trustees of the Library and
Museums for the purpose of pointing out to them some require.
meuts. I may mention them here :—
Ist. The first great need is more room. ‘Treasures are there, but
they cannot be found. Entomolgy isa favourite department of science
in this colony, and the collections of insects are numerous. Some
enthusiast, proud of his gatherings, makes his way to the National
Museum to identity his species. He looks, and often looks in vain.
A few cases—many obsolete names—and yet the museum is rich
10 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
in such gatherings, only they are stowed away. By the courtesy,
indeed, of Mr. Kershaw they may be seen, but the many, I am
afraid, do not know the amiability of our fellow-member. The
same complaint may be made as to oology. It is believed there is
a good oological collection somewhere, but where that somewhere is
no ordinary visitor can find out. The Sawropsida of Australia
form an interesting study, and our museum ought to contain a
fairly complete series. But here, too, we look in vain. How
beautifully reptilia may be preserved and mounted, and made,
instead of repulsive, almost fit for drawing-room ornaments,
visitors to the newly established museum at Adelaide can testify.
Without further illustration, what is sorely needed at our National
Museum is room—room for the arrangement especially of the fauna
of Australia—that our museum may not be simply a lounging
place for the nursemaids of Carlton, or a show for passing visitors,
but a place where our students of nature can find the real helps they
need. It has also been pointed out that in many cases the nomen-
clature is antiquated, and in some cases inconsistent.
2nd. We ask that the overworked learned professor at the head
of the museum should have yiven to him a staff of scientific assist-
aunts. Our idea is that, under Professor M‘Coy, there should be a
number of gentlemen, each one with the care of a department. We
coul{ not expect such a list of world-known men as form the staff
of the British Museum, nor would it be necessary. There are plenty
of young scientists who would be willing to be working heads, and
who, under the direction of the professor, would be able to collect,
classify, arrange, name, and, in addition, be able—not to waste time
by chatting with idle dilettant? or answering foolish questions—but
to put enquirers into the way of finding solutions to their seekings.
No one man can do or ought to try to do everything. Our colony
is rich enough, and the students of nature are many enough, to
warrant such an arrangement. It would be ungenerous to blame
an overworked man, yet it is intolerable that specimens should, in
the last two or three years (to my own knowledge), have over and
over again been sent to Europe for identification ; of such specimens
not a few proved new to science. We ought to be able in this
colony, at any rate, to classify and name our own natural produc-
tions. With increase of room and increase of men the other
needs mentioned by our deputation to the museum trustees could
easily be met.
Our second museum is the technological one at the Public
Library, of which little need be said; it is very useful, so far as it
goes. The ethnographical department bids fair to be of much use
to those who desire to study Polynesian races—a department that
should be much increased by the acquisition of specimens of the
dress, arms, iwplements, and works of art of the aboriginal people
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. I
of Australia and Austral Polynesia. Many races seem doomed to
extinction ; before it is too late let us preserve all we can that may
tzach us and those who come after us what sort of men they were.
The last born of our natural collections is the Economic Museum
at the Exhibition Building. The danger of this new undertaking
is that it should overlap on the one hand the Nationl, and, on the
other, the Technological Museums. To a certain extent this has
already been the case. Conchological and paleontological collections
should certainly find no place there, that is if our museums are to
be helps to study and not mere show places. To be valuable,
collections should be complete. The authorities of our various
institutions should work together in harmony and with common
purpose. Public money should certainly not be spent in gathering
a few specimens at the Exhibition Building of shells, or fossils, or
the like, and even presentations of such should be handed in to the
National Museum. MELBOURNE, Se
(Established 1862),
BRISTOL, ENGLAND, (Established 1762,
Ae Oo aa
Students Compound Achromatic Microscopes and
Accessories tn Stock.
Mathematical, Philosophical, Meterological, Nawtical,
Optical, Surveying and Mining Instruments,
Invporter, §e.
The Metfords Theodolites and Level Combined
The Improved: Dumping Leyels Ball Motion.
)
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3 Vou. Ul. No. 2. June 1885.
THE —
—Mictorian Waturalist:
THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE
OF THE
‘Field WNaturalists’ Club of Victeria.
he Author of each article is responsible for the facts and
opinions he records.
Ow Bee SS:
he ok : PAGE
Proceedings of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria ah 17
Succinet Notes on some Plants from New Guinea. By
Baron Frerp. von Musume, K.C.M.G. his ae 18
Charles Darwin on Australia. By A. H. S. Lucas, M.A. 20.
The Phanerogamous Plants of Studley Park, Kew, near
Melbourne. By F. Reapger. ... ee sh en 24
& Notes, we oe eee me ic oh ay 28
a ee
~ PRICKH— SIXPENCE
oe
Z Emerald Dill;
J. C, MITCHELL, PRINTER, CLARENDON ST.
1885,
woos fa kee
turalists’ sb af ‘islora, He
OF PICE-BEARERS 1885- 86. = .
Wresident : — ee
Rev, J. J. HALLEY. ee
3) ite-49 residents :
Me. T. A FORBES- -LEITH | Mz. AES. LUCAS, MLA.
* Bon, Treasurer : on. Librarian :
Mr. E. BAGE. — | ~ Ma. C. FRENOH.
Hon. Secretary: Asst. Mon. Secretary:
Mr. F. G. A. BARNARD, Mr. G. COGHILL.
Kew.
Committee : eee
= | ; Mrs. DOBSON. - Mr. J. H. GATLIFF, ee
» J. SIMSON. es BPR SE ise :
‘Mr. D. BEST. jo Ds ame S OU Ra ears
a Mn. C. A. TOPP, M.A. |
ios Tuis Cius was founded in 1880 for the purpose of affording observers _
aes and lovers of Natural History regular and frequent opportunities for &
; discussing those special subjects in ‘which they are mutually interested;
for the Exhibition of Specimens ; and for promoting Observations in the
Field by means of Excursions to various collecting grounds around tte
Metropclis.
No Entrance Fee, Annual Subscription, including copy ef proceedings a
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tree The Ordinary Meetings for the reading of papers, and exhibition of Ses
; specimens, with a short conversazione. are held on the second Monday in fo
each month at the Royal Society’s Hall, Viztoria Street, Melbourne, at.
8 p.m.
The proceeding es of the Club are recorded inits journal—the “ Victorian ay
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The first Volume, comprising sixteen numbers, with title page and index, eee
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THE
Wictorian Maturalist:
Mou. LH. JUNE 1885. No.
bo
THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.
Tue fifth annual meeting of this Club was held at the Royal
Society’s Hall, on Monday evening, 11th May, 1885.
The president, the Rev. J. J. Halley, occupied the chair, and
about seventy members and visitors were present.
Letters were read from Mr. Joseph Mack, Lismore; Mr. Jno.
Box, Malvern; and Mr. M. Herdman, Experimental Farm, Cashel;
in favor of the Club’s suggestions re Native Birds.
The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following additions
to the library:—‘“‘ Prodromus of Zoology of Victoria,” Decade X ;
“« Bulletin of the Imperial Society of Naturalists, Moscow,” 1884 ;
«Annual Report, Ballarat School of Mines,” 1884; ‘“ Annual
Report, Bendigo School of Mines,” 1884; “Southern Science
Record,” No. 4.
The hon. see. reported that the monthly excursion held on the
previous Saturday at Red Bluff was well attended, considering the
threatening state of the weather, the most interesting item noted
was the occurrence of the orchid Pterostylis vittata in bloom.
The following were elected members of the Club—Miss Smith,
Messrs Jno. Curtayne, H. W. Hunt, D. McAlpine, E. Nicolson,
J. H. Sherrard, J. Sims, Wm. Strachan, Alex. Wilson, Jno.
Wilson, Alfd. Wyatt, and Masters W. H. and G. E. Hill.
Mr. F. R. Godfrey promised a paper on ‘“‘ Surface Shells” for a
future meeting. ;
Mr. D. Best, in accordance with notice, moved that the number of
members of Committee be increased to seven, seconded by Mr.
A. H. 8. Lucas, and carried.
The hon. secretary read the annual report and balance sheet,
whieh showed the Club to be in a flourishing condition. Amongst
other suggestions made, was that of holding a wild flower show
during the coming spring, which found much favor among those
present.
18 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
The following office-bearers were elected without opposition:—
President, Rev. J. J. Halley, Vice-Presidents, Mr. T. A. Forbes-
Leith and Mr. A. H. S. Lucas, M.A.; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. E.
Bage; Hon. Librarian, Mr. C. French; Hon. Secretary, Mr.
F. G. A. Barnard; and Assistant Hon. Secretary, Mr. G. Coghill.
The ballot for members of Committee resulted as follows—
Mrs. Dobson, Mrs. J. Simson, Messrs D. Best, J. H. Gathif,
G. R. Hill, D. LeSouef, and C. A. Topp, M.A.
A vote of thanks to the retiring office-bearers was carried
unanimously.
Mr. C. A. Topp mentioned that two mosses recently found by
Mr. Tisdall, of Walhalla, had proved to be new to science, and had
been named after the finder and the locality respectively.
The following were the principal exhibits:—By Mr. D. Best, a
box of Fijian insects; by Mr. G. Coghill, orchids in bloom,
Pterostylis vittata, and P. precox ; by Mr. P. Dattari, orchids in
bloom, P. nana and P. scabrida, from Brighton, also Mexican
ferns, Cheilanthes farinosa and Pteris nemoralis; by Mr. H. A.
Dombrain, nests of weaver-bird, from Elephanta Island, also two
snake-skins ; by Mr. C. French, exotic Coleoptera, section Cetonide ;
by Master C. French, land shells; by Master R. Hall, Victorian
birds’ eggs, and South Australian insects ; by Masters W. H. and
G. E. Hill, each a case of moths collected since last meeting: by
Mr. T. Hyland, eggs collected around Colac last season ; by Mr. H.
Kennon, Nautilus Shells from Brighton, said by Professor MeCoy
to be the most perfect specimens yet found ; by Mr. T. A. Forbes-
Leith, podargus, P. strigoides, from N. W. Victoria, also from
Yan Yean, boo-book owl, Stria ninox, from Werribee, and banded
stilt, Cladorynchus pectoralis, from Murray River; by Mr. A. H.
S. Lucas, silver-fish, having abnormal caudal fin, with bifid inferior
lobe; by Mr. H. W. Milligan, three squirrels, and twenty species of
birds from Lillydale; by Mr. F. Reader, plants from Studley Park,
Asperifolee-Epacride@; by Mr. J. F. Roberts, new exotic orchid,
Phalenopsis Robertsiana.
After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated,
SUCCINCT NOTES ON SOME PLANTS FROM NEW
GUINEA. ;
By Baron Ferp. von Muetunr, K.C.M.G., M.D., Ph.D., F.R.S
( Continued.)
Cycas Scratchleyana.—Leaves glabrous ; their segments charta-
ceous, flat, rather broad, shining on both sides, hardly or not paler
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 19
beneath, slightly decurrent at the gralually narrowel base; antheri-
ferous seales rather large, almost chartaceous, broadly cuneate,
glabrous above, tomentose beneath, truncate or but slightly convex
in front, without any acumen, not even distinctly apiculated, the
antheriferous area extending nearly to the summit, the narrow space
above it more tomentose and sometimes thickened there towards the
middle.
On Mount Bedford, Jala-River, Dedouri-Country ; W. Armit.
This species of fern-pine, though well marked, can in its charac-
teristics here only as yet be defined very partially, mere fragments of
leaves and some detached staminate scales only being available for
examination. In leaflets it comes much nearer to C. circinalis and
C. Rumphii, than to C. media and C. Papuana ; the leaflets attain
about half an inch in width, and are less rigid than those of most
other congeners. The male scales are 14-2 inches long, and near
the summit about one inch broad ; all the specimens gathered of
these scales are destitute of any puvgent prolongation, the usual
acumen being perhaps replaced by the short repressed but not free
turgescence underneath. This characteristic of the androphylls is
quite unique in the genus.
It is with particular pleasure, that I dedicate this new form of a
very stately class of plants to the distinguished first ruler of British
New Guinea, his Excellency General Scratchley.
Mr. Armit’s sendings contain also the following plants as hitherto
unrecorded from New Guinea :—
Pittosporum ferrugineum ; Astrolabe-Range.
Erythrina Indica ; base of Astrolabe-Range.
Pholidota imbricata ; on Cycas-stems, Mount Astrolabe.
Habenaria sp.; Astrolabe-Range.
Iphigenia Indica ; Astrolabe-Range.
Panicum plicatum ; Laloki-River.
Panicum semialatum ; Astrolabe-Range.
Panicum brevifolium ; Mt. Bedford.
Lygodium scandens ; Jala-River.
Trichomanes Javanicum ; Mount Bedford, up to 3600 feet.
Trichomanes pallidum ; Lochiyaga, Jala-River.
Cyathea sp. and Alsophila 2 sp.; Jala-River ; these or allied species
of fern-trees have with some others been also found by Mr.
Kidelfelt on Astrolabe-Range.
TLaenitis blechnoides ; Mount Bedford up to 3600 feet; with the
normal state also a diminutive form ip fruit.
Lindsaya concinna ; Mount Bedford.
Polypodium adnascens ; Laloke.
Hypolepis sp.; Jala-River.
Acrostichum spicatum ; Mount Bedford, 3600 ft.
Also a tall moss, resembling Dawsonia superba, but without fruit.
20 THE VICLORIAN NATURALIST.
The highly experienced Pteridographer, J. G. Baker, records in
Britten’s ‘‘ Journal of Botany for 1885,” p. 19, Selaginella Wallichi
from New Guinea, and at p. 46 Selaginella latifolia.
Strange, as it may appear, Mr. Armit brought already Manzhot
utilissima from remote places of New Guinea, where hardly any
previous intercourse with Europeans took place.
CHARLES DARWIN ON AUSTRALIA.
By A. H. 8. Lucas, M.A.
Read before the Field Club, 5th March, 1885.
In that perhaps most interesting volume of travels ever written,
Darwin’s “ Naturalist’s Voyage Round the World,” there is a chapter
on Australia. In 1836, Darwin visited Port Jackson, Hobart
Town and King George's Sound, spending 18, 10, and 8 days in their
neighbourhoods respectively. The great naturalist had thus oppor-
tunities of studying nature in New South Wales, in Tasmania,
and in Western Australia. To Australian naturalists the im-
pressions of the great thinker must be interesting; and I have
thought that a critical study of this chapter may be not without
value.
Briefly then, Darwin may be said to have been terribly bored
from the time when this land first rose before his eyes till it faded
from their vision. The entrance to Port Jackson disappointed him.
“Instead of beholding a verdant country interspersed with fine
houses, a straight line of yellowish cliff brought to our minds the
coast of Patagonia.” Even inside the harbour he notices “the thin
scrubby trees, bespeaking the curse of sterility.” ‘‘ Proceeding further
inland,” z.e., to the inmost shrine of Sydney Harbour, nuw looked
upon as a very Bay of Naples, he coldly, says, “the country
improves.” At Sydney itself his first feelings are those of intense
admiration, of self-congratulation that he is an Englishman, but,
“upon seeing more of the town afterwards, perhaps my admiration
fell a little.’ It struck him, though Melbourne men may not agree
with the observation, that the streets of Sydney “ are regular, broad,
clean. and kept in excellent order.”
After three days in Sydney, Darwin started for Bathurst.
Speaking of the woodland as it appeared in January, he says freely,
‘T cannot imagine a more complete contrast, in every respect, than
between the forests of Valdivia or Chiloe, and the woods of Australia.”
This is a magnificent generalisation, it must be admitted, after a
day’s ride through the open timber of the lowlands of New South
Wales. To those who are now familiar with the tropical forests of
Queensland and the grand high woods of our ranges, it may seem
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 21
to be based on too slender a foundation. With quick eye he gathers
together the general features of the vegetation, the vertically-placed
leaves with consequent absence of shade and presence of grass, and
the “desolate and untidy appearance of some Euealypts with bark
hanging in long shreds and swinging about in the wind.” He then
enters upon an argument on the relative beauty of evergreen and
deciduous foliage. He considers that the appetite for the exquisite
greenery of the Northern Spring compensates for having to gaze on
“‘the land covered for so many months with mere naked skeletons of
trees.’ The inhabitant of the Tropics gazes with sated eyes on
uninterrupted gorgeousness. The rest of the argument is suppressed,
but it would seem to have been an a fortiori. If the people in the
Tropics are worse off than the English, how much more the people
in this gum-clad Australia. Darwin could have known nothing
personally of the outburst of beauty we too enjoy in Spring.
In this up-country journey, Darwin met two parties of aborigines.
He naturally comments on their already scant numbers, and discusses
the causes of destruction. It is interesting to find him pondering
over the mystery of infection in days long before the germ-theory
of zymotie diseases had been broached. He comes to the
conclusion that ‘the effluvium of one set of men shut up together
for a time may be poisonous when inhaled by others, especially
perhaps if of different races.” Contact alone, he indicates, may be
enough to introduce most virulent disease in the weaker race,
while the stronger does not even show symptoms of the disorder.
He quotes Dr. Macculloch, who says, “it is asserted that on the
arrival of a stranger (at St. Kilda), all the inhabitants in the
common phraseology catch a cold.” And though Macculloch
considers all this as ludicrous, Darwin thinks it impossible that such
a belief, (found to exist also at Tahiti and the Chatham Islands),
should have become universal without some good foundation. It
would be, I think, a novel and a valuable application of our recently
acquired knowledge, to consider the many strange results of the
mere contact of different races in the past, in the light of the modern
theories of germ-dispersion.
Darwin is as hard on the scenery as on the capital of the sister
colony. He says, “from so grand a title as Blue Mountains, and
from their absolute altitude, I expected to have seen a bold chain of
mountains crossing the country, but instead of this, a sloping plain
presents merely an inconsiderable front to the lowland near the
coast.” And “once on the sandstone platform, the scenery becomes
exceedingly monotonous.”
He is, however, able to find food for speculation in the great
cliff-bordered valleys, almost as famous a geological puzzle as the
parallel roads of Glenroy. Darwin assigns to them after much
deliberation a marine origin. In fact, a Port Phillip—though of
oy
2a THE VICTORIAN NAYVULALIST.
course he had not se.n this—is a Weatherboard or Govett’s Leap , alley
in process of formation: the waves of the inland harbour are wearing
vertical cliffs as at Cheltenham say, and the currents carry out
débris through the narrow heads. How far this is the view held by
Sydney geologists I cannot say ; but the modern tendency is rather
to call in the aid of subaerial denudation in the explanation of
contour phenomena. Thus the Chalk and Limestone escarpments
in England and France have long ceased to be considered as old
lines of cliff. And the cirques of Norway and the Alps, great
amphitheatrical valleys, apparently very similar to those of New
South Wales, are respectively attributed by Amand Hellund and
Prof. Bonney, to the action of glaciers and the action of multi-
tudinous waterfalls. As traces of glacial action have been detected
by Mr. Stirling in the Australian Alps, we may be on the look-out
for evidences of more extensive erosion in the past.
Darwin spent a short time at a station manned by some forty
convicts, and comments on the awful convict atmosphere. He went
for a day’s shooting, but had poor sport; no kangaroo, no wild-dog
even, no emu; but the party secured a kangaroo rat by the aid of
the dogs, ‘‘ an animal,” as he says, ‘‘as large as a rabbit, but with
the figure of a kangaroo.” He did not see many birds, only “‘ some
large flocks of white cockatoos feeding in a cornfield,” and a few
most beautiful parrots, crows and maypies. In the evening he saw
several Platypuses “along a chain of ponds, which in this dry
country represented the course of a river.”
On the ride to Bathurst, he experienced ‘“ the sirocco-like wind of
Australia, which comes from the parched deserts of the interior.”
This untoward experience may perhaps account for the caustic
reflection which presently follows. ‘I was told at Sydney not to
form too bad an opinion of Australia by judging of the country from
the roadside, nor too good a one sa Bathurst; in this latter
respect I did not feel myself in the least danger of being prejudiced.”
Darwin’s views on the then state of society in New Sowa Wales,
the condition of the convicts, and the attractions the country
possessed for emigrants, are hardly matter for discussion here,
though they are extremely interesting and fully as flatterimg as
his observations on the country itself.
On landing at Hobart, on 5th February, Darwin is as little
pleased with the favourite summer resort of Australians of to-day as
he is with the monotony of the Mainland. ‘Those who during the
recent vacation, Premier or Primate or private individual, have
found health and enjoyment amid the glorious scenery of the Lower
Derwent, will be disappointed in the great Naturalist’s estimate of
its beauties. He begins, ‘“‘Mount;Wellington is a mountain 3100
feet high, but of little picturesque beauty.” I need hardly say that
the mountain is nowadays readily accessible, and the climb an easy
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 23
one, when you drive half-way up, and find a carriage waiting for you
when you have come half-way back again. But it was a severe
excursion in Darwin’s time. He failed indeed in his first attempt,
and only succeeded after much hard work in his second, for “the
guide, a stupid fellow, conducted us to the southern and damp side
of the mountain.” ‘The ascent on this side would be a big climb
even to-day. He says nothing of the brilliant flowers or of the
brightly-colored berries which at this time of year so abound on
Mount Wellington, He has no word for the Organ-Pipes or the
Ploughed Fields, really magnificient examples of Basaltic bedding
and Basaltic weathering. At the very summit, he says again, the
elevation is 3100 feet above sea level, whereas it reaches rather more
than another thousand feet, #.¢., is about as high and as prominent as
Vesuvius. He is indeed constrained to admit that ‘in many parts
the Kucalypti composed a noble forest.” But the fronds of the
tree-ferns, though elegant, “ produced a gloomy shade.”
In noticing the Sandy Point travertin with fossil leaf
impressions and land-shells, he makes a generalisation which, as
uncalled for and refuted by facts since collected, calls for remark.
He says, “It is not improbable that this one small quarry includes
the only remaining record of the vegetation of Van Diemen’s Land
during some former epoch.” ‘Tasmania was notoriously unexplored
—nay is so at the present time to an extent one does not realize
till one tries to work away from the alienated lands. However,
already tertiary plant beds of similar age have been discovered by
Mr. R. M. Johnston, at three places in the Tamar Basin, N. Esk,
Stevenson's Bend and Breadalbane, and probably also by Mr.
Charles Gould, at Macquarie Harbour.
The last point of our continent Darwin touched at was King
George’s Sound; “ we stayed there eight days,” he writes, “ and did
' not during our yoyage pass a more dull and uninteresting time.’’
Not even the corroboree of the White Cockatoo tribe could remove
the ennui. He scoffs at the grasg trees, which are surely to a
naturalist most curious varieties of the lily type, and which do not
in any way affect to rival the palms with which they are of course
ignominiously compared. Singularly enough, an old pupil of mine,
also a young student from Christ's College with a Cambridge
training in natural science, who on coming out made a stay at
Albany, was much struck by the abundance of marine forms, sponges,
&c., strewn upon the coast.
The chapter closes with this formal adieu, ‘‘ Farewell, Australia!
you are a rising child, and doubtless some day will reign a great
princess in the South; but you are too great and too ambitious for
affection, yet not great enough for respect. I leave your shores
without sorrow or regret.”
To Australian naturalists all this must be extremely disappointing.
4 THE VICTORIAN NALULALIST.
Our fauna and flora are unique. They are probably the oldest in
the world, and so furnish multitudes of facts most important in their
bearing on all theories of evolution. In mere numbers the forms
of life are imposing. Yet there is no enthusiasm in Darwin, on the
contrary, only regret that he had spent so much time so drearily.
It may be that Darwin was worn out by the hardships of the
voyage when he reached Australia. It is well-known that the
chronic suffering he endured go patiently in the course of his devoted
life was probably attributable to his exertions and exposures during
the long five years on the “‘ Beagle.” At all events, he seems to have
found as much to charm him in the Cape Verde Islands or Patagonia,
or almost the little cluster of the St. Paul’s rocks, as in the whole
of Australia.
Whatever was the cause of the spleen, Australian natural history
has suffered—been hindered in its development probably for several
years—by the publication of this chapter by the great authority.
Had Darwin pointed out, on the contrary, what a field was here
for observation and for work, we can only conjecture how much
more rapil might have been the progress of Australian biology.
We are somewhat sensitive to the accounts which travellers
publish of our colonies. And it is to me, and I think will be to you,
a sad reflection that perhaps the most rep:llent dessription of this
strange southern land should have been penned by Charles Darwin,
the most eminent naturalist of the century.
THE PHANEROGAMOUS PLANTS OF STUDLEY
PARK, KEW, NEAR MELBOURNE.
By F. Reaper.
Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, Jan. 12, 1885.
(Parr IT.)
Order. Elatinee Cambessédes.
Properties.—Unknown.
Elatine, L. Etym. Alluding to some fancied resemblance of the
foliage with that of the Silver-fir, which latter is mentioned as
Elate in the * Odyssee.” V.N. Water-Wort.
E. Americana, Arnott. American Water-Wort. Flowers Noy.,
December. Distributed Tasmania, N. Zealand, India, South
and North America.
Order Hypericine, I. de St. Hilaire.
Properties.—Drastic purgative, astringent and aromatic tonics.
Resinous. The leaves are mostly marked with pellucid dots.
Hypericum, Tournef. Etym. From the greek umepexor, (hypericon),
of Dioscorides. V.N. St. John’s-Wort.
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 25
H. Japonicum, Thunbe'g. Flowers Sept. to April. Distributed
Tasmania, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and the hilly country
of India.
Order, Linee, D.C.
Properties.—Mucilaginous, oily and diuretic. The Seeds are
occasionally purgative. The stem contains the fibre, which con-
stitute flax
Linum, Tournef. Etym. From the root lin, a thread, the parent
of many words in Latin, English and French.
L. marginale, All Cunningh. Native Flax. Flowers Sept. to May.
Distributed Tasinania. Introduced in New Zealand.
Order, Geraniacee, A. L. de Jussien.
Properties.—Often astringent, aromatic, and abound in volatile
oil. Oxalis abounds in oxalic acid, others have eatable tubers. The
root of Geranium maculatum is powerfully astringent. It contains
Tannin. G. Robertianum is a remedy in nephritic complaints.
The so-called garden Geraniums are VPelargontw, haying
zygomorphie flowers, a spurred sepal, perigynous petals, no glands,
and few declinate stamens.
Pelargonium, L’Heritier. Htym. From the shape of the fruit
resembling a stork’s bill.
P. australe, Willdenow. Wild Geranium. Flowers':October to
February. Distributed Tasmania, New Zealand, South Africa,
and Tristan d’Acunha.
Uses.—A lotion of bruised leaves of this plant is useful for burns
and scalds.
P. Rodneyanum, Mitchell. Apparently but a large flowered
variety of the preceding. Distributed. Confined to Australia.
Erodium, L’Heritier. Etym. From the greek épwdioc (erodios),
a heron, the fruit resembling somewhat the beak of that bird.
Vern. name, Stork’s Bill.
E. cicutarium, L’Heéritier, Flowers nearly all the year round.
Naturalized. Distributed Europe, North Africa, Siberia,
West Asia to North West India.
Geranium, Tournefort. Etym. In allusion to the fruit, bearing a
slight resemblance to a crane’s bill. Vern. name, Crane’s
Bill.
G. dissectum, L. Flowers nearly all the year round. Almost
universally distributed. The species is subject to great
variation.
Oxalis, L. Hiym. From ofve (oxus), sharp, acid, Vern.
name, Wood Sorrel.
Uses.—The genus Oxalis contains binoxalate of potash, prepared
by the evaporation of the juice. The salt is the Sal acetosella of
26 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
Pharmacists, a capital chemical for removing ink stains. On
the continent itis made use of as a refrigerant, in very small
doses, and is reputed to be effective in some inflammatory
conditions of mucous membranes.
O. corniculata. L. Flowers all the year round. Distributed,
Cosmopolite, except in very cold regions. It is considered to
have taken its origin in America. Like the preceding species,
very variable.
Uses.—May be advantageously employed as a refrigerant, diuretic
and deobstruent.
O. grandiflora, Jacquin. Flowers May to September. Native of the
Cape of Good Hope. Probably escaped from the gardens and
a pretty addition to our indigenous Flora.
Order Malvacew, Adanson.
Properties.—Mucilaginous, especially the seeds. The stems and
roots yield textiles. The Marshmallow, Althea officinalis, L., is
taken as a demulcent It is more extensively used on the continent
than in England, Uéhkra, Okro, Okra, Bendi- Kai, the fruit of
Hibiseus esculentus, L., is used in tropical countries as a demulcent,
or a8 an emollient poultice.
Malva, L. Etym. From pydayn (malache), soft. alluding to
the emollient properties. Vern. name, Mallow.
M. rotundifolia, L, Flowers September to April. An Alien.
Distributed Europe, North Africa, Siberia, West Asia to India,
introduced in United States.
Uses.—Formerly employed in dysentery, ischuria, nephrites, and
strangury. The leaves and also the flowers may be utilized for
poultices in abscesses, inflammation, as also for gargles, clysters, &c.,
combined with other remedies.
Modiola, Menth. Etym. From modiolus, nave of a wheel, in
reference to the position of the carpels. Some authors derive
the name from the Roman measure, modiolus, referring to the
depressed fruit
M. multifida, Munch. Flowers October to May. Introduced from
North America.
Plagianthus, R. and P. Forsier. tym. Alluding to the oblique
petals.
P. pulchellus, A. Gray. Vern. name, Hemp Bush. Flowers
September, October. Distributed Tasmania.
Order, Euphorbiacew, A. L. DeJuss.
Properties.—Acrid, often milky. Too numerous to specify.
Cascarilla bark a tonic from Croton Eluteria, Bennett ; Croton Seeds
from Croton Tiglium, L., yield the Croton Oil, a powerful cathartic
and externally a rubefacient ; Castor Oil seeds, Recinus communis,
L., yield Castor Oil, well-known as a mild and safe purgative.
Kamala. the ruby-like glands of the fruit or capsules of Rottlera
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. ZA
tinctoria, Roxb., adminstered for the expulsion of Tape-worm, also
as an external application in Herpes circinnatus. In India it is
employed for dyeing silk a rich orange-brown. Huphorbcum, from
Euphorbia resinifera, Berg, formerly employed as an emetic and
purgative ; itis an ingredient of a paint for the preservation of
ships’ bottoms. Croton tinctorum yields Tournsol, a valuable dye,
but is highly acrid and drastic. Cassava, or Mandioc, or Tapioca,
from the stem of gatropha Manihot, a poisonous plant, but is
purified by washing and torrefaction. Many are poisonous, as
Manchineel, Hyananche, Sapium aucuparium, &c.
Poranthera, Rudge. tym. Alluding to the manner in which the
anthers open.
P. microphylla, Brongn. Flowers August to December. Distri-
buted Tasmania.
Euphorbia L. Etym. From Euphorbos, physician to Juba, King
of Mauritania, who brought the plant into use. Originally
applied to a cactus-like species of North Africa. Vern. name,
Spurge.
HH. Peplus £L. Flowers September to January. Distributed
Kurope, North Africa, Siberia, W. Asia to N. W. India.
Introduced in North America.
Uses.—formerly employed as a purgative.
Order, Urticacee, Ventenat
Properties,—The inner bark affords a valuable tenacious fibre.
in Scotland young tops of nettles are boiled and eaten by the poorer
people.
Urtica Tournef. Etym. From uro, alluding to the burning pain
of the stings. The English name, nettle, is the same word as
the Anglo-Saxon netel or noedel, a needle, and was similarly
applied. Vern. name, nettle. The séeds serve to fatten
fowls.
U. wrens, L. Flowers September to January. Introduced. Dis-
tributed. By emigration almost universally represented.
Uses.—The herb may be employed in spitting of blood,
Hemorrhoids, Jaundice. Formerly, paralized limbs were lashed
with fresh nettles in order to produce through the burning juice a
peculiar eruption. The fresh expressed juice may be used as a
deobstruent and diuretic. The irritant effect produced is said to be
owing to the presence of free formic acid,
Order, Casuarinee, Mirbel.
Properties—Valuable for their wood. Contains a crystalline
substance similar to bicitrate of lime.
Casuarina, Rumphius. Etym.
C. quadrivalvis, Lab., Syn., C. stricta, Aiton. She-Oak. Adapted for
avenues. Distributed, Tasmania.
C. distyla, Ventenat. Stunted She-Oak. Distributed Tasmania
28 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
Uses.—Valuable for fixing drift sand.
C. suberosa, Otto & Dietrich, He-Oak, Swamp or Marsh-Oak.
Distributed Tasmania. The flowering time of the casuarimez
requires further observation.
Erratum.—On Page 186 of Vol. I., the heading Droseracee should pre-
cede the paragraph which it follows.
NOTES.
NOTE BY T. A. FORBES-LEITH CONCERNING HIS
PAPER ON THE PETREL FAMILY.
In the latter part of the paper I read before the Club in March
last, on the Petrel family, I mentioned that when rounding Cape
Horn in the barque ‘“‘ Surge,” we were driven far beyond 60° south,
and got in amongst the ice, and that on the 12th of August, 1853,
I discovered and shot some specimens of what I believed to be a
bird new to science, viz., a snow-white petrel, about the size of a
pigeon, with pink eyes, and that I had never seen it since in any
museum or private collection. But I omitted to mention that I had
once heard of it, nearly 25 years after, when the captain of the ship
““George Thompson,” gave me a picture of his ship in a most
perilous position in icebergs ; which happened some years before,
when the said ship was driven far to the southard, and hemmed in
by gigantic icebergs (some over 500 feet high) for over a week,
and all hope of being saved givea up. In the foot note it says,
“here thousands of pure white petrel were seen.”
I believe if the proposed expedition towards the South Pole for
scientific research takes place, when the ice is reached my snow-
white Petrel will again be seen, and my description of it be found
pretty accurate.
ASTRORHIZA ANGULOSA, (Brady.)
Tus is the name of a Foraminifer which was taken in dredging on the
east of Azores, at a thousand :fathoms, by the ‘“‘ Challenger” expedition;
a single specimen was also taken by the “ Porcupine” expedition.
It has recently been found by Mr. H. Watts, a member of F. N.
Club, in miocene deposits at Waurn ponds. It is stated that this
is the first time that this foraminifer has been found in a fossil
condition.
POPOS SOPOPPOSCOCOCPIOOSESOSS
SOLE AGENTS FOR VICTORIA—
ALEX. JOSKE. & coe
16 Litile Collins Street East.
Wn. S. HUSBANDS,
Brerscri aes oericray
QUEEN STREET, |
> eae ee Sr
(Established 1862), mS .
BRISTOL, ENGLAND, (Established 1762.)
ase soso ge |
Students Compound Achromatic Reese ae
Accessories tn Stock. weed
i athenatical Philosophical, Meterological, Wouter
Optical, Surveying and Mining Instruments, |
Importer, §ce. — Sane
‘The - Metfords Theodolites: and Level Combit
The a Dumping - 2 ai Ball Motion.
Vou. ag No, 3. ee dee 1885,
| Micterian Peaturaliedt:
THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE
OF THE
Field Naturalists’ Ciub of Wictoria.
The Author of each article is responsible for the facts and
; opinions he records.
GIN oe NaS 5
: / , PAGE
Proceedings of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria Wes 29
Excursion of the Field Naturalists’ Club... ime ses 81
The Queen’s Birthday Excursion to Lilydale.
The Phanerogamous Plants of Studley Park, Kew, near
Melbourne. By FE. Reaper. ... ss wee “3 36
Notes. ae re seh ee as Be Bh 40
- PRICH — SIXPENCE
ne
——. Sonth Melbourne:
J. ©, MITCHELL, PRINTER, CLARENDON ST,
1885,
4
S3restvent :
Rey. J. J: HALLEY.
PiceAsresivents : ee
Mn, T.'A. FORGSS-LEIVA | Ma, A. H. 8. LUCAS, MA. =
Hon, Creagurer : Bon, Litvartan: "ee
Ms. E, BAGH, = | Me. C, FRENOH, PLS. =)"
«Bow, Secretary : Asst, Mon. Secretary:
Mr. F, G. A. BARNARD, Mr. G. COGHILL.
Kew. :
Sommitte =
Mrs. DOBSON. | Mr. J. H. GATLIBE,
» J. SIMSON.
Mr. D. BEST.
Gr Ribas
, D. eSOUEF
Mr. C A; TOPP. M.A.
se See
THis Crus was founded in 1880 for the purpose of affording observers
and lovers of Natural History regular aud frequent opportunities for
discussing those special subjects in which they are mutually interested;
for the Exhibition of Specimens ; 3 and for promoting Observations mm the —
Field by means of Hxcursions to various collecting grounds around tie
Metropolis.
No Entrance Fee, Annual Subscription, including copy of proceedings
1ds., dating from May 1st.
The Ordinary Meetings for the reading of papers. and exhibition of
specimens, With a short conversazioné.are held on the second Monday in
each month at the Royal Society’s Hall, Victoria Street, Melbourne, at
8 p.m.
The pr oceedings of the Club ave recorded in its journal—the “ Victorian ~
Naturalist.” Annual Subscription, 6s..6d., post free (to, members free).
The first Volume, comprising sixteen numbers, with title page and index,
just completed. Price—Seven Shillings and Sixpence (post { free).
men as
THE
Wictorian BHaturalizst:
Vou II., No. 8. JULY 1885. No 19.
~
THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.
Tue monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society’s
Hall, on Wednesday evening, 10th June, 1885.
The president, the Rev. J. J. Halley, occupied the chair, and
about eighty members and visitors were present.
- Among the visitors was Dr. J. E. Taylor, F.G.S., who was
received most cordially, and on being introduced to the meeting by
the president, briefly thanked the members for the reception given
him, and in the course of a few remarks on the characteristics of
the Australian fauna and flora, pointed out the peculiar oppor-
tunities Australian naturalists’ had for finding ‘‘ missing links”
Correspondence was read from Mr. I. Batey, Sunbury; Mr. S. S.
Crispo, Dromana; and others, mainly in support of the Club’s
proposal re Protection of Native Birds.
The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following additions
to the library:—* Proceedings of the Linnean Society, New South
Wales,” Volume X. Part I., from the society; ‘‘ Journal of the New
York Microscopical Society” Nos. 2 and 3, from the society;
“«Midland Naturalist,” Vols. 1, 2, 8 and 4, from Mr. W. M. Bale;
“ Proceedings of Ornithological Society of Vienna,” from the society.
The hon. secretary reported that the excursion to Lilydale, on
the Queen’s Birthday, 25th May, was well attended, about twenty-
five members and friends being present, Specimens in several
departments were rather scarce, but fungi were most abundant,
about 100 species being noted. Several good fossils were also
obtained at the lime-stones quarries.
The following were elected members of the Club:—Miss Glenross,
Mrs. Gunst, Messrs F. E. Hill, 8. Lamble, A. Miller, Chas.
Officer, jun., William Officer, J. D. Pinnock, D. Strong, and
Robert Watson.
30 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
The general business consisted of the consideration of Mr. A. J.
Campbell's motion in favor of the protection of native birds. A
reply was read from the Zoological Society, which recommended
that the bee-eaters, wood-swallows, Banksian and Gang Gang
Cockatoos should also be included in the list of protected birds.
Dr. Dobson thought the list was too long, and that the club would
be more likely to be successful if the number of birds to be protected
were curtailed, and on his amendment being carried, the list was
again referred to the sub-committee, with a view of getting it
shortened.
Papers read—1. Mr. A. H. 8. Lucas, M.A., read the second
part of the paper by Mr. J. B. Gregory and himself, on ‘‘ An Overland
Trip to Wilson’s Promontory,” giving an interesting account of the
natural history of the granitic or southern portion of the promontory.
He stated that the locality is well worthy of a visit by students of
geology, and of nearly every branch of biology, and in the course of
a few years would doubtless become a favorite spot with tourists.
He characterized the promontory as the Cornwall of Victoria.
2. Mr. C. French, F.L.S., contributed the seventh part of his
paper on “The Orchids of Victoria,” in which he described the
following species:—Microtis porrifolia, M. parviflora, M. atraea
Corysanthes pruinosa, Pterostylis cucullata, P. furcata, P. reflexa,
P. precox, P. curta, P. nutans; dried specimens of each of which he
exhibited. A short discussion ensued in which Dr. Taylor spoke
on the irritability of the labellum in the genus Péerostylis, as
concerned in the fertilisation of the plants by insects. Mr. C. A.
Topp, and Mr. F. G. A. Barnard remarked that though they had
carefully observed these flowers, they had never yet noticed any
insects about them,
Natural history notes—Mr. C. French, F.L.S., contributed
a few remarks and exhibited specimens of the larve, ete., of a
lepidopterous insect, allied to Yortricina, which has _ recently
done much damage amongst cabbage and cauliflower plants. Mr.
D. McAlpine spoke of the great importance of studying the
economic entomology of the colony.
The following were the principal exhibits:—By Mr. If, Bage,
colored plates illustrating ‘“ Select Flowers and Fruits of Jaya” by
Madame van Nooten; by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, Victorian coleoptera,
living ferns Gleichenia circinata, and Schizea dichotoma; by Miss
Campbell, fern new to Victoria, Polypodium phymatodes, from Kast
Gippsland, eight dried Victorian ferns including Botrychium
ternatum, B. lunarta, Asplencwm nidus, A. flaccidum, Polypodium
phymatodes, and P. serpens, new lichens Usnea retipora (Knight)
Victoria, and Parmelia Campbellii, (knight) New South Wales,
also rough drawings of fungi obtained during Lilydale exeursion;
by Mr. A. J. Campbell, twenty species of rare Australian bird eggs;
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. ol
by Mr. G. Coghill, orchids in bloom, Pterostylis precox, P. nutans
and P. concinna; by Mr. A. Coles a very fine Ornithorhynchus
tweuty-three inches long, also Victorian game birds; by Rev. A. W.
Oresswell, fossils from Lilydale; by Mr. J. E. Dixon, older pliocene
fossils from Cheltenham; by Mr. C. French F.L.S., exotic
coleoptera, family Cetonide, orchids in illustration of paper, and
cabbage moth in various stages; by Master C. French, fossils from
Cheltenham; by Mr. J. H. Gatliff, Victorian shells, eighteen species
of family Veneride; viz.. Rupellaria (3 sp.), Tapes (1), Venus
(6), Oytherea (4), Meroe (1), and Dosinia (2); by Rev. J. J.
Halley, specimens of limestone from the Great Pyramid; by
Miss Halley, nests of weaver bird, India; by Masters Hill,
Victorian lepidoptera; by Mr. H. W. Hunt, Victorian birds’ eggs;
by Mr. H. Kennon sea-gulls (living) from Warrnambool; by
Mr. W. Kershaw, Australian lepidoptera; by Mr. T. A. Forbes-
Leith, eighty-four Victorian birds representing thirty families; by
Mr. A. H. S. Lucas, M.A., Victorian Asteridg, and plants and
shells from Wilson’s Promontory in illustration of paper; by Mr.
D. McAlpine, frog in first stage of new process of dry preservation ;
by Mr. F. Reader, plants from Studley Park, (Condfere to
Amaryllide); by Mrs J. Simson, painting on cobwebfrom Innspruck,
and picture in colored sand from Isle of Wight; by Miss Mary
Simson, a flying mouse from Langi Kal Kal, Victoria; by Mr.
A. Thie, English Ammonites; by Mr. H. Watts, a number of
objects under the microscope.
After the usual coversazione the meeting terminated.
EXCURSION OF THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB.
‘Tae last excursion prior to the annual meeting of this Club took
place on Saturday, May 9th, under the leadership of Mr. C. French,
the locality chosen being as stated in the annual report, Brighton,
because of its convenience and correspondingly superior resources,
which in the short autumnal days and the little time a+ the disposal
of members leaving by the 2 p.m. train, is of great consideration.
Briefly then, the members left Melbourne by the 2 p.m. train, and
on its arrival at Brighton, it was found that uotwithstanding the
threatening appearance of the weather, there was a fair attendance,
including two lady members of the Club. To save time in walking,
a conveyance was in readiness, and drove the party to within a few
hundred yards of the Red Bluff Hotel, when a start was made
inland. Plants in bloom were but few, although we soon came across
a patch of damp, heathy country, in which grew quantities of the
plants usually to be found in the district. Pterostylis aphylla, and
4
34 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
Erviochilus fimbriatus, were here in considerable numbers, and were
secured for the purpose of either cultivation or herbaria. Proceeding
onwards towards the hills, we find our old favorite Styphelia
humifusa, in full bloom, its beautiful crimson tubular-shaped flowers
rendering it a general favorite. Several specimens of the Prasophyllum
found on last trip were also seen, and as this small species may not
be either P. archeri, or P. intricatum, a sharp look-out in the early
part of April next, should be kept. As we steer towards the flat
or swamp known to old colonists as the Hawk’s nest, we pass
numerous specimens in flower of Monotoca scoparia, and Epacris
impressa, which by the way reminds us that it was only about two
miles from this spot, where was found the first specimen known of
the beautiful ‘‘ double white” variety of this species, and which now
is, or was, in the collection of Mr. Scott, of the Royal Nursery,
Hawthorn. Birds hereabouts are few, although we were informed
that there were quail to be found not far from us, and a few
specimens of the Honey-eaters, Meliphagide, some little Wrens,
and a bronze-winged Pigeon, were about the only ‘land birds” seen.
As the afternoon wore on, and we were apxious to do what we
could, after collecting a few specimens of the common but very
curious lichen, Cladonia retipora, which was in fine fruit, and three
specimens of Pterostylis nana, (the only ones seen during the trip,)
we steer a bee-line for the coast, collecting on our way bouquets of
wild flowers, as Epacris, Styphelia, Banksia, Acacia suaveolens,
which together with the curious bronzy-coloured Restzaceous Hypolena
fastigiata, made a very pretty bunch, in which the Correas and
Hibbertias were prominent. The belt of scrub being reached, a
search was made for the early orchids, and very soon was found
Pterostylis vittata, and Acianthus easertus, The Jungermannie
were seen, but as it is too early for fruiting specimens, they were
passed, or left for a future occasion. To those interested in spiders,
it may be mentioned that a very fair collection might be made in the
district, and some of these species are very handsome. As it was
now getting dusk a start was made for the Red Bluff Hotel, and
although barely able to distinguish one plant from another, several
pretty mosses and huge Polypori were seen, in company with
numerous other fungi. A specimen of Lastopetalum Bauert, now
somewhat rare about Melbourne, was here found growing just above
high water mark, near which were specimens of Lobelia anceps,
Salicornia, Aster, and other sea coast plants. On reaching the
hotel, the conveyance being in waiting, the railway station was
reached in good time, and thus a very pleasant afternoon had been
passed, It is to be hoped that during the present year of the Club’s
existence, these excursions will be better attended as much may be
gained thereby physically as well as intellectually. Melbourne
was reached at about seven o’clock.
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 33
THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY EXCURSION. TO
LILYDALE.
Taxine advantage of the holiday on Monday, 25th May, a Club
excursion was arranged for that day, and after some little discussion
at the previous monthly meeting, it was decided to visit Lilydale,
as being perhaps the most promising locality at that season of the
year. Accordingly at 6.15 a.m., about sixteen members of the Club,
including two or three ladies, met at the Prince’s Bridge station, and
leaving town a few minutes after, in due course arrived at Lilydale.
Several more members were picked up at the suburban stations, and
at Lilydale three others appeared, who had gone up on _ the
Saturday and Sunday, making altogether a party of about twenty-
five. On arrival at Lilydale, it was decided to explore the valley
of the Olinda Creek as being the most likely direction to reward
the trouble of such early rising. Two parties were now formed,
those intent on shooting going on first, the arrangement being
made to unite again at a pretty spot on the creek known to the
leaders. The rest of the party, consisting principally of botanists
and entomologists, after despatching a late breakfast at Lithgow’s,
started off towards the creek, keeping in a south-easterly direction,
and were soon in scrubby country. The entomologists turned over
logs and stripped the bark off trees in vain, nothing of any interest
being obtained; flowering plants were also very scarce, but fungi
were most abundant, and our mycologist had almost as much as she
could do in collecting specimens, or packing away those brought to
her by other members of the party. On the way several species of
ferns were secured by those wanting them, a fine patch of Gletchenia
circinata, being quite despoiled of its starry fronds for making ‘‘bird’s
nests.” The sportsmen were now met, but with almost empty bags.
For some unaccountable reason, the valley, usually a good collecting
ground, was almost devoid of bird life. The only birds seen
during the trip being the frontal shrike-tit (Falcunculus frontatus),
yellow robin (Hopsaliria Australis), Tasmanian honey-eater
(Meliorms Austracasiana), spine-billed honey-eater (Acantho-
rhynchus tenuirosiris), gang-gang cockatoo (Callocephalon galeatum),
and Pennant’s parrakeet (Platycercus Pennantiz.)
A cutting at a bend of the creek was now reached, the damp
sides of which were clothed with young seedling ferns of different
varieties, in many stages of growth, also several beautiful species of
fungi. A short distance a-head the camp fire was seen, and on
reaching the spot a halt was made, and the luncheon baskets
relieved of some of their good things. One of the members having
offered his services as cook, tea was soon manufactured in the
orthodox Australian style, and a vegetable beef-steak (Fistulina
34 THE VICTQRIAN NATURALIST.
hepatica) cooked. However this latter proved uneatable, being too
old. Near here some splendid specimens of the larger star-fern
(G. flabellata) were obtained, and a log over the creek was found
covered with the delicate little Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense.
About fifteen™other species of ferns were seen during the excursion,
but none of them were particularly rare.
After luncheon, the party guided by two members who had been
over fhe same ground on the previous day, rambled towards the
ranges, on the way obtaining the only orchid found in bloom,
Pterostylis parviflora. A little further on the foot-hills were reached.
Here the native heath (EHpacris impressu,) principally the pink and
crimson varieties, was found in great abundance, and large bunches
were gathered for home decoration. A little higher up Grevillea
sp. was found in flower. The road leads up on to the top of the
range affording several pretty views on the way, and crossing one
or two fern gullies. At the back of the range many splendid fern
gullies exist, which would repay a search at some future time. In
one of these visited on the previous day by the members before
referred to, several small specimens of the pretty fern Osmunda
barbara were obtained, and a delicate little blue fungus Agaricus
(Leptoma) sp. A return was now made, a single specimen of
Comesperma ericinum, being noted in flower. Another short halt
was made at the creek, after which a different route to that of the
morning was taken over the hills towards Lilydale. On the way
several plants of orchids, probably Pterostylis curta were seen, also
some large fungi, Agariews sp., which were pronounced edible
by our mycologist. After a pleasant ramble Lilydale was reached
in ample time to allow of a short stoppage for open air tea, before
wending our way to the train.
As fungi were the most numerous of the specimens collected, a
more detailed list of the species by Miss Campbell may prove
interesting.
There were over thirty-five Agarics found, these include many edible
kinds as well as the common mushroom, the white lady, and the
beautiful Cantharellus; gay coloured ones, as the bright red,
yellow, and green Russulas, the luminous Panus incandescens, the
dainty little gray Agaric, smelling as sweet and strong as violets,
the delicate Xerotus, the fast fading Caprinus, tiny exquisite blue
Agaric (Leptoma) of Mr. Tisdall’s paper, some whose acrid taste, gave
warning of poison, and a large bright violet-coloured Agarie which
is edible; the three Boleti did not look or smell so tempting as usual.
About ten Polyport, of these P. Cinnabarinus attracting most
attention, with ‘its bright red colour; the specimens of Fistulina
hepatica, the celebrated beef-steak fungus were too old to be eaten; a
purple Trametes; two Hydnums one jelly-like, pale lavender spines,
very good eating; three Stereums, one for its elegant form and pretty
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 35
markings continually picked up; the small bright yellow, jelly-like
Guepinia Spaitularia, was plentiful; many species of Clavaria
were plentiful, C. botrytis, C. aurea, etc.; a white jelly-like Tremelia
which can be eaten when fresh; the net puff ball, Tleodictyon gracile
which is eaten by the New Zealanders; common puff bali, Lycoperdon
gemmatum; two bright red and a yellow cup-like Peziza; Leotia
lubrica had the most peculiar appearance of any found, bright
yellow, semi-transparent stipe, brownish yellow pileus; an uncommon
Hypoxylon; also very many micro-fungi brought the number up
close to a hundred distinct species for the day.
The two members out on the previous day, found a fine patch of
the ordinary mushroom, Agaricus campestris, one of which was
quite six inches in diameter, growing on a roadside.
The geologist of the party, the Rev. A. W. Cresswell, who spent
the day at the Cave Hill limestone quarries, furnishes the following
account of his experiences:—
Went to the limestone quarries, about half a mile S.H. of
Lilydale; being only in search of fossils this time, did not make
accurate stratigraphical observations. The quarry, however, is well
known to be in a limestone, granular, crystalline, marble formation,
about 100 feet thick, interstratified with the upper Silurian rocks,
(sandstones, schists, &c.,) of the district. It is not thought to be
very persistent or to extend any great distance along its strike
(which is nearly meridional as usual with the Silurian,) but is believed
to be more or less lenticular and to thin out at no great distance
north and south. ‘The prevailing colour is cream-coloured, but some
of the strata are of a ferruginous red and others of a bluish grey.
The dip is about 45 degrees east, but exact statigraphical details will be
found in the Geological Survey Report for 1855-56. I had never
seen any fossils in it before, except afew Favosites (Millipore corals)
here and there where the surface is weathered, but this last time
succeeded in getting the following fossils, viz.:—Several specimens
of a sub-genus of Turbo, one of them being as large as a good sized
recent Turbo undulatus. The form appears to me to be close to
Euchelus, there being no umbilicus or the columella showing trace
of being toothed, it is very like our common recent Huchelus
canaliculatus, but has finer and more numerous lire. The nearest
shell toit in Murchison’s “ Siluria” appears to be Cyclonema coralliz
of the Upper Ludlow, with which it is perhaps identical. Several
specimens of Murchisonia apparently corresponding to M. corallit
of the Upper Ludlow as figured in Murchison’s “Siluria.” A
Bellerophon, which I do not know the specific name of, and will
have to show to Prof. McCoy for exact identification; and several
specimens of the common Upper Silurian species of Favosites called
Favosites aspera, (one of which is sent herewith); a single joint of
Crinoid stem, probably an Actinocrinus. A mammillary stalactite
36 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
from the roof of a cavern leading into the quarry was also obtained.
It should be mentioned that microscopic sections of this marble show
a partly brecciated and partly oolitic structure.
THE PHANEROGAMOUS PLANTS OF STUDLEY
PARK, KEW, NEAR MELBOURNE.
By F. Reaper.
Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, Feb. 10, 1885.
(Parr [II.)
Order, Sapindacee, A. L. de Jussien.
Properties.— Various. Root of Cardiospermum Halicacabum is
aperient, Sapindus Saponaria yields a detersive and acrid fruit,
containing Saponin. The tincture of the berries employed in
chlorosis. American Acer species yield maple sugar. Guarana,
from the seeds of Pawllinia sorbilis, Mart, the Braz. Cocoa, contains
a large amount of Guaranine, an active, bitter principle, said to be
identical with Caffeine. Guarana is employed in nervous headache,
Dodonea, L. Etym. Named in honor of Dodoneus, a celebrated
physician and botanist at the time of the emperors, Maximilian
II. and Rudolph IT.
D. wscosa, L. Syn. D. viscosa, var. vulgaris, Benth. Vern., name,
Switch Sorrel. Flowers March. Distributed New Zealand
and Tasmania. In New Zealand it is called Akerautang.,
ake, and the wood is used for native clubs.
Order, Portulacee, A. L. de Jussien.
Properties.—Purslane, Portulaca oleracea L, and others are em-
ployed as esculents.
Claytonia, Gronovius. Htym. In honor of Dr. T. Clayton, a
Kentish physician and botanist.
C. calyptrata, F. von Mueller. Flowers September to December.
Distributed Tasmania.
Order, Caryophyllee. Scopolt.
Properties—Unimportant. Silene Virginica is said to have
an anthelmintic root. Saponaria officinalis, and Gypsophila Struthium
were formerly used as aperients in skin diseases; they contain
Saponin. Lychnis, Githago, Lam., the Corn Cockle, now introduced
with cereals around Melbourne, also contains Saponin in the seeds
and Agrostermmin.
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. By7
Spergularia, Persoon. Etym. The diminutive of Spergula, from
Spargo, alluding to the seeds being widely scattered.
S. rubra, Camb. Vern. name, Sand-wort, Spurrey. Flowers
September to January. Distributed. Except the Arctic and
Tropic zones extends to nearly all countries.
Stellaria, L. Etym. from stella, indicating the star-shaped
spreading of the corolla. Vern. name, Star-wort, Stitch-wort.
S. pungens, Brongn. Flowers September to December, Distributed
Tasmania.
S. media, Villars, Chiekweed. Flowers nearly all the year round.
Distributed, through cultivation dispersed over nearly all
temperate and arctic regions. Naturalized.
Uses.—Formerly in repute for Phthisis, dysentery, hemorrhage
and diseases of the skin, &c. Poultry and small birds are fond of
the whole plant, especially the seeds.
Cerastium, L. EHtym. From the Greek cépac (keras), alluding to
the curved capsules of some species. Vern. name, Mouse-Har
Chickweed.
€. glomeratum, Thuellier. Syn., C.vulgatum, L. Flowers nearly all
the year round. Analien. Distributed all temperate and
cold regions.
Spergula L. Etym. From spargo, in allusion to the scattering of
its seeds. Vern., name, Spurrey.
S. arvensis, L Corn or Field Spurrey. Flowers September to
March. An alien. Distributed Arctic Europe, North Africa,
West Asia, to North West India. Introduced in North
America.
Uses.—Cattle are fond of this plant.
Polycarpon, L. Htym From the Greek, zo4uc (polus) and kapros
(karpos), in allusion to the abundant capsules. Vern. name
All seed.
P. tetraphyllum, L. Flowers November to March. Distributed.
Almost universally dispersed within the warm and temperate
Zone.
Silene, L. Etym. From the Greek eéadoy (sialon), saliva alluding
to the viscidity of many species.
S. gallica, L. Flowers September to January. An alien.
Distributed. Represented in most cultivated regions. There
is a variety the Silene quinquevulnera, L., with petals entire
and spotted with red. Frequently growing with S. gallica.
S. pendula, L. Flowers October, November. Probably escaped
from the gardens. Native of Sicily.
58 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
Order Amarantacee, A. L de Jussien.
Properties—Unimportant. On account of their often richly
coloured flowers mostly cultivated as pot herbs, &c..
Alternanthera, Forske!. Htym. Alluding to the fertile stamens
alternating usually with antherless filaments,
A. triandra, Lamarck., Syn., A. sessilis, Br. A. denticulata,
A. Cunn. Flowers January to June. Distributed Warmer
regions of Asia and America, Africa, Tasmania and New
Zealand. Variable.
Order, Salsolacee, L.
Properties.—Various. Chenopodium Quinoa is widely used as
an article of food in Peru. Ch. anthelminticwm yields Wormseed
Oil, an effective vermifuge. Spinach, Beet and others are esculents.
Salsola and Salicornia furnish Carbonate of Soda, From Beet-
roots, a fine sugar is extensively manufactured. Chenopodium
olidum and baryosmon act as foetid emmenagogues. Ch. ambrosioides
is an aromatic expectorant, &c. Many are known as pot herbs.
Rhagodia, R. Br. Etym. From rhax, berry, alluding to the
numerous berry-like fruits. Vern. name, Red or Sea-berry.
R. nutans, R. Br. Flowers November to January. Distributed
Tasmania.
Chenopodium Tournef. Etym. From the greek, yi, xnvoe, (chen,
chenos,) goose, and zove (pous) foot; the leaves of some species
supposed to resemble in shape the foot of a goose. Vern.
name, Goosefoot.
Ch. murale, L. Vern. name, nettle-leaved Goosefoot. Introduced
Distributed Europe, North Africa, W. Asia, to N. W. India;
introduced in North America, Tasmania and New Zealand.
Ch. album, LZ. Vern. name, white Goosefoot. Introduced,
Distributed. Through colonisation dispersed over all zones.
Contains Chenopodin.
Enchylena, 'R. Br. Htym. Alluding to the succulent calyx.
giving the fruit the appearance of a berry.
E. tomentosa, R. Br. Flowers September. Distributed through-
out Australia.
Order Polygonacee, A. L. De Jussien.
Properties—Often astringent and purgative; some species yield
oxalic and malic acids; the seeds of others are farinaceous and
esculent. ‘The all important Rhubarb is the most important in the
order. Ooccoloba wvifera, Jacg., contains kino an astringent.
Some species of Polygonum yield Indigo. Many species of Rumex
contain in the root Chrysophanie acid, employed in Psoriasis, &e.
Polygonum, Tournef. Etym. From the greek zo4ve (polus) many,
and yorvv (gonu) knee, alluding to the many joints of the stem
and brauches. Vern. name, Bistort or Persicaria.
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 39
P. strigosum, R. Br. Flowers December to March. Distributed
Tasmania.
P. minus, Hudson. Flowers January to June. Distributed
Tasmania and New Zealand.
P. aviculare, L. Vern. name, Knotgrass, Wire Weed, Hoggerass.
Flowers nearly all the year round. An alien. Distributed
almost cosmopolite.
Uses.—A mild astringent, Diarrhoea, &e., externally for wounds.
Fruit emetic and cathartic. The whole plant yields indigo-blue.
P. Hydropiper, L. Vern. name, water pepper or biting Persicaria.
Flowers February June. Distributed North Temperate
Temisphere and to Australia.
Uses.—Contains Polygonie acid of an acrid, bitter taste and a
volatile acrid principle. Plant when chewed imparts a hot and
pungent taste to the tongue.
P. prostratum, R. Br. Flowers March April. Distributed Tasmania
and New Zealand.
Mucehlenbeckia, Meissner. Etym, In honor of Dr. Muehlenbeck»
who closely studied the plants of Alsace.
M. adpressa, Meiss. Vern. name, Sarsaparilla, of the colonists.
Flowers September November.
Uses.—Produces the same effect as the true Smzlax species
employed as alteratives and tonics.
Rumez, L. Hiym. The old latin name, alluding to some
resemblance of the leaves to the Roman war-arms. Vern.
- name, Dock and Sorrel.
R. crispus, L. Vern. name, Curled Dock. Flowers nearly all
the year round. Distributed Europe, North Africa, Temperate
Asia to Japan. Introduced in North America, Tasmania and
New Zealand.
Uses.—Is an alterative, detergent and antiscorbutic remedy,
mildly aperient, acting on the colon ; may be given in Scrofula,
cutaneous eruptions, and in the form of an ointment. Leaves
may be advantageously used as an article of diet in scurvy, in
the form of a salad. They are agreeably acid to the taste,
owing to binoxalate of potash with tartaric acid, but lose their
taste in drying. Juice of the leaves mixed with water affords an
agreeable acidulous drink. The cortical part of the root is the
most active. In America the concentrated tincture of Rumex is
now prepared and used for the complaints above mentioned.
R. Acetosella, L. Vern. name, Sheep’s Sorrel. Flowers nearly
allthe yearround. Distributed. Widely diffused throughout
Temperate and Arctic zones.
Uses.—Leaves used as a salad; abound in binoxalate of potash.
100lb. of the leaves yield Slb. of the salt. The decoction of the
40 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
root or the powdered root are refrigerants and effectual anthelminties.
The seeds are astringent and useful in Hcemorrhage In arid
ground and at the end of summer the whole plant assumes a
bright red colour,
R. Brownti, Campdera. Flowers November to May. Distributed
Tasmania.
Rk. bidens, R. Br. Flowers December to March. Distributed
Tasmania.
ERRATA.
ON page 27 of Vol. LI., No. 2, line 19, for “ Flowers September to January,
read “ nearly all the year round.”
7
On same page after. “ Casuarina, Rumphius. Etym.,” read :“ Supposed to
allude to the leaves resembling the feathers of the Cassowary.”’
NOTES.
MICRO-FUNGT.
Av the last meeting of the Microscopical Society, one of the Vice-
Presidents, Mr. F. Barnard, of Kew, also a member of the F.N.
Club, read some notes on Micro-fungi recently forwarded to England
by him for naming. Several of these have proved to be new, and
one Phragmidium Barnardi (Plow.), found on a species of Rubus in
Studley Park, has been named after him. We understand Mr.
Barnard will be glad to receive specimens of Micro-fungi from our
country friends, in exchange for other microscopic objects.
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Tr will be remembered that in February last a deputation waited
upon the Trustees of the National Museum, with reference to
affording greater facilities to students at that institution, and were
promised that the Director, Professor McCoy, should report upon
the suggestions then made. His report, which is too long for
publication here, appeared in the Argus of June Ist, but as it
seemed the ideas of the deputation had been somewhat misunderstood,
the Committee of the Club felt themselves called upon to make a
further representation of the matter, and have forwarded a letter to
the Trustees in reply, which will be found at length in the Argus of
June 19th,
ads MUMM & CO.,
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SCLE AGENTS FOR VICTORIA—
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BRISTOL, SBNCLAND, (seals 1762.)
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Students Compound Achromatic Microscopes and
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Mathematical, Philosophical, Meterological, Nawtical,
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SENT ede OC EILO
Vou. Il. No. 4. q Aveust 1885,
Victorian Raturalist:
THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE
OF THE
Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria.
The Author of each article is responsible for be facts and
opinions he records.
GOIN gas:
PAGE
Proceedings of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria M0 41
Ballarat Field Club and Science Society. ... a “5 43
To Wilson’s Promontory Overland. By J. B. Grucory. .., 43
The Orchidee of Victoria. (Part7.) By C.Fruncnh. ... 48
Note, | bes a A fess ea a oe 62
PRICE—SIXPENCE
South Melbourne ;
J. C. MITCHELL, PRINTER, CLARENDON ST,
1885.
Meld Maturalisis’ Gleb of Wetora
OFFICH-BEARERS 1885-86.
Presivent :
Rev. J. J. HALLEY.
Vice-Presivents :
Mr, T. A. FORBES-LEITH | Me. A. H. 8. LUCAS, M.A
Hon, Treasurer : Hon. Librarian:
Mr. E. BAGE. | Me. C. FRENCH, F.L.S.
Hon. Secretary: Asst, Hon, Secretary:
Mr. F. G. A. BARNARD, Mr. G. COGHILL.
. Kew. |
Ganmittes :
Mrs. DOBSON. | Mr. J. H. GATLIBF.
, J. SIMSON, 2) GR Ea
Mr. D. BEST. , D. LeSOUEF.
Mr. C. A. TOPP, M.A.
Tats Cuus was founded in 1880 for the purpose of affording observers
and lovers of Natural History regular and frequent opportunities for
discussing those special subjects in which they are mutually interested ;
for the Hxhibition of Specimens ; and for promoting Observations in the
Field by means of Excursions to various collecting grounds around the
Metropolis.
. No Hutrance Fee, Annual Subscription, including copy of proceedings
15s., dating from May Ist.
The Ordinary Meetings for the reading of papers, and exhibition of -
specimens, with a short conversazione, are held on the second Monday in
each month at the Royal Society’s Hall, Victoria Street, Melbourne, at
8 p.m.
The proceedings of the Club are recorded in its journal—the “ Victorian
Naturalist.” Annual Subscription, 6s. 6d.. post free (to members. free).
The first Volume, comprising sixteen numbers, with title page and index,
just completed. Price—Seven Shillings and Sixpence (post free).
Copies of the Annual Report and List of Members for 1884-5, with
Rules, ete., can be obtained on application to the Hon. Sec.
THE
Pictorian Haturalist:
Worle» No.4. AUGUST 1885. No 20.
THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.
Tue monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society’s
Hall, on Monday evening, 13th July, 1085.
The president, the Rey. J. J. Halley, occupied the, chair, and
about seventy members and visitors were present.
The following persons were elected members of the club :—Dr.
H. C. Wigg, Messrs. C. Casimir and J. Searle, and Master Coles.
Dr. J. E. Taylor, F.G.S., was unanimously elected a honorary
member of the Club.
The sub-committee on the protection of Native Birds’ question,
reported that in order to curtail the list of birds proposed to be pro-
tected, several groups of the smaller birds, such as larks, wrens,
honey-eaters, had been struck out. Mr. A. J. Campbell, moved as
an amendment, which was adopted, ‘‘ That as the close season is at
hand, it is too late for action this year, and that the matter be post-
poned for six months, in the meantime the sub-committee to
endeavour to obtain further information on the subject.”
Papers read—1. Mr. F. Wisewould read a paper, “ Notes of a
visit to the Chudleigh Caves, Tasmania.” These caves are near
Deloraine; they extend for more than a mile, and contain many
large and beautiful chambers, intersected and traversed by a
running stream. Mr, Watts contrasted these caves with those near
Warrnambool. ou
An avcount of a tortoise found in solid rock, in a cutting on the
great Northern Railway, New South Wales, was brought before
42 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
the meeting by Mrs. J. Simson, compiled from papers left by the
late Mr. William Keene, F.G.S The tortoise, which was found
in 1859, and lived until the beginning of the present year, was
apparently different to any known local species, and much resembled
one found fossil near Armidale. This note gave rise to some
discussion respecting the finding of frogs, etc., in mines and rocks.
Mr. P. Dattari exhibited a convenient tabular form for a
Botanical key, taking for his illustration the order Ferns, as given
in the late Rev. W. W. Spicer’s Dichotomous Key to Tasmanian
Plants. Mr. ©. A. Topp, M.A, explained at some length the
advantages claimed by Mr. Dattari for his plan as a help to
beginners, and stated that in the classification and the use of terms,
the compiler had simply followed Mr. Spicer. Mr. D. M‘Alpine, in
the course of his remarks, condemned the use of botanical keys, and
urged students to adopt such a work as Hooker’s British Flora for
their guide. Mr. Dattari distributed lithographed copies of his table
amongst those present.
Some remarks were made by Messrs. French, Lucas, and M‘Alpine
as to the desirability of taking up the subject of economic entomology
in a systematic manner, and which will probably lead to practical
results.
The following were the principal exhibits of the evening:—By Mr.
EK. Bage, living specimens of Volvo globator, under the microscope;
by Mr. A. J. Campbell, a Gang Gang cockatoo, which had been
purchased in the market that day as ‘‘game”; by Master 8S. B.
Coghill, stalactites from the Chudleigh Caves, Tasmania; by Mr.
A. Coles, an Indian pheasant, (mounted); by Mr. P. Dattari, fossils
from near mouth of the Gellibrand River, Victoria, collected by
Rev. W. T. Whan; by Mr. E. Dombrain, eggs of pink eye-browed
duck, and fronted Ephthianura, ete., from New South Wales; also
a white snipe shot in County Cork, Ireland; by Mr. C. French,
F.L.8., specimens of branches of shrubs, etc., affected by injurious
insects; by Mr. J. T. Gillespie, Victorian birds’ eggs; by Master R.
Hall, twelve species of Victorian birds, also (in spirits) a young
emu with two heads and one body; by Mr. W. Hatton, twenty
species of Tasmanian birds’ eggs; by Masters W. and G. Hill,
Lepidoptera ; by Master Hatch, geological specimens from Ararat ;
by Mr. W. Kershaw. Australian Lepidoptera ; by Mr, BR. Kennon,
ring-tailed opossum (alive) ; by Mr. J. M‘Kibbin, orchids in bloom,
Pterostylis vittata, P. concinna, Corysanthes pruinosa, Cyrtostylis
reniformis ; by Mr. D. M‘Alpine, lizard showing internal anatomy;
by Mr. J. E. Prince, photographs of Orbost, Snowy River. and of
several aboriginal ceremonies ; by Mr. G. Renner, map of moon ; by
Mr. F. Reader, plants from Studley Park, order Liliaceee ; by Mr.
O. A. Sayee, specimens of Vivianite from Hamilton, Tourmaline,
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 43
Orthoclase, Pholerite, Manganese, &c., from Maldon; by Mr. A.
Watts, a young Octopus; by Mr. F. Wisewould, mineral specimens
from Chudleigh Caves, Tasmania.
After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated.
BALLARAT FIELD CLUB AND SCIENCE SOCIETY.
Tue annual conversazione of the above Society was held in the large
hall of the School of Mines, Lydiard-street, Ballarat, on Friday
evening, 3rd July, 1885.
The president, Mr. Jas. Oddie, J.P., occupied the chair, and there
was a large attendance of the members and their friends, some 200
persons, being present.
The president, in the course of his remarks, drew attention to the
many advantages to be derived from the study of natural science in
general; the Rev. W. Williams gave a lecturette on ‘‘ Spiders as
Modern Balloonists,’”’ and referred to the flight of spiders recently
observed in many parts of the Western District; and Mr. W. H.
Wooster gave a popular account of the “ Natural History of the
Bryozoa.”
The exhibits consisted in most instances of microscopic objects,
and twenty instruments were in use by the different exhibitors. The
following were the principal exhibits :—By Mr. W. Burbidge, scales
on insects’ wings; by Mr. W. Corbould, the crystallization of
metals; by Mr. A. Doepel, parasites and cheese mites; by Mr.
Grayson, vegetable physiology and diatoms ; by Mr. F. M. Krausé,
F.G.S. (hon. sec.,) specimens of dolerite, diabase, felsite-porphyry,
and porphyrite, with sections of same under polarized light ; by Mr.
F. J. Martell, circulation of blood in frog, and vinegar eels ; by Dr.
Ochiltree, tissues of internal organs of man ; by Mr. A, Mica-Smith,
B.A., micre-photographs ; by Mr. H. Sutton, micro-photograph of
sections of diatoms, polyzoa, under high powers ; by Dr. Usher,
human physiology ; by Rev. W. Williams, anatomy and physiology
of Arachnide ; by Miss Wooster, Victorian mosses and sea-weeds ;
by Mr. W. H. Wooster, Victorian bryozoa.
TO WILSON’S PROMONTORY OVERLAND.
By J. B. Greaory.
Our party was to consist of three, and our objects were not
altogether in accord or altogether different. We were all off for a
44 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
holiday in search of health and recreation. Mr, Lucas, in addition,
had definite intentions of making collections botanical, entomologieal,
and conchological. As Mr. Robinson is not one of the joint authors
of this paper, we may be excused from unfolding what his special
aims may have been. Mr. Gregory, in addition to a liking for fresh
air and exercise, has a fancy for natural scenery and perhaps a little
for topography.
We proposed to take train from Melbourne as far as Trafalgar on
the main Gippsland line, and thence walk by the direct route through
Mirboo and Forster to the end of Wilson’s Promontory, and to
return by whatever route circumstances might suggest. Careful
inquiries were made before starting as to the road, and many con-
tradictory reports obtained. One man, for instance, said that there
were seventeen miles of glue-pot between Trafalgar and Mirboo, but
the road from Mirboo to Forster would be better. Another described
the road to Mirboo as good. A third said that the difficulties of
the journey would commence when we crossed the Derby, thirty
miles the other side of Forster. There was one reason that operated
in the choice of the route, and was sufficient to stifle the warnings
as to swamps and glue-pots, and that was a desire to see the great
forest of South Gippsland. It was now possible to see it in its
primeval grandeur. But the passing of the new Land Act and
commencement of the Great Southern Railway would soon be
followed by a rush of selectors ; in another year even it might be no
more.
Mr. Lucas and Mr. Gregory, accordingly, on the Saturday in
Christmas week, started by the early train for Trafalgar. It rained
heavily during the journey and after their arrival at Trafalgar, where
they had to wait a conple of hours for the luggage train which
brought on their pack-horse. ‘Trafalgar is a small village at the
foot of wooded ranges, which rise to the south of it say 1000 or
1200 feet. The people said there had been much rain lately, and it
was likely to continue so long as the wind was from the north.
Ags soon as the horse arrived, we loaded up and started. Our
pack consisted of a tent 6 feet by 8 feet with a fly, about ten days’
provisions, a change of clothes each, rugs, billies, &c., and Mr.
Lueas’s collecting apparatus.
The road at once began to ascend. As it got higher and steeper,
the mud got deeper, being knee-deep in places. Most of the land
had been taken up on each side of the road, and much of it had been
cleared and the timber ringed, giving an extensive look-out. We
passed a dray drawn by fourteen bullocks. It did not appear heavily
loaded, but it sank in up to the axles.
On reaching the top of the ridge, the road became drier, and
about five miles from Trafalgar descended to Narracan Creek, a fine
stream which crossed our path from left to right. There was a rich
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 45
patch of clover here, which our horse was very loath to pass. In
fact he seemed quite sulky when we determined to go further. After
passing Narracan Creek the clearings ceased, and the road again
became soft. In about two miles we came to another creek, a
tributary of Narracan, about eight miles from Trafalgar, where we
determined to camp. This was partly because we did not want to
make a long journey the first day, and partly to let Mr. Robinson
who was to reach Trafalgar by the last train that night, overtake us
before we started the next morning.
When it has been raining all day, camping does not look very
inviting, but a tent will keep out ary ordinary rain. Boughs laid
on the ground with a piece of waterproof on the top of them make a
sufficiently dry bed, and if wood be selected which is neither green
nor rotten, it will burn with proper kindling material. This, in the
present case, was found in some pieces of timber knocked off the
under-side of a dead log which lay across other sound logs so as to
keep it off the ground and therefore from getting sodden. We were
therefore sufficiently comfortable, notwithstanding that it rained and
blew a good deal during the night.
It was still showery the next morning, nevertheless we enjoyed a
bath in the creek, and just as we had finished breakfast we were
joined by Mr. Robinson, who had come on to Trafalgar that morn-
ing. At about eleven o’clock we started for Mirboo. Another mile
and a-half brought us to Macdonald’s track, where there was a house.
Macdonald’s track, west of the point where we struck it, runs about
east and west, following the ridge which divides the waters which
flow into the Moe and thence into the La Trobe and the Gippsland
Lakes, from those which flow by way of the Tarwin into Anderson’s
Inlet. At about the point where we struck this track, the water
shed turns suddenly to the south while Macdonald’s track continues
in an easterly direction along a ridge separating the waters of the
Narracan and the Morwell. The direction of the track we were
followmg being nearly south, was much that of the watershed which
Macdonald’s track had left, but it did not keep to the ridge exactly.
It was first a little to the west of it, crossing a small tributary of the
Tarwin. It then again made the ridge and crossed it into the
Morwell watershed. This part of the road passed through a forest
of enormous timber with dense undergrowth, and the road was deep
with mire. As, however, we turned further away from the ridge on
the Morwell side, the land became poorer and the timber stunted, at
the same time the road became dry. At about the point where we
passed out of the dense forest into the more open and poorer country,
we passed several selections upon which were houses and clearings,
and the road continuing to descend, we at last came to Bear’s Creek,
a tributary of the Morwell, at a spot marked on the maps as Village
reserve, about fifteen miles from Trafalgar. Passing through this,
46 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
we crossed the line of the new Mirboo railway, and the land still
continuing poor, the timber small, and the road dry, we continued
on to Mirboo North, a distance of about three miles, where the track
again made the watershed line between the Tarwin and the Morwell,
and where had it not been for the extensive clearings we should have
been again among tall timber, as could be seen by the dead
trunks still standing. Thence the road continued to follow the ridge
between clearings more or less extensive on both sides, and keeping
tolerably dry, until by a very steep and rough descent it turned down
to the Tarwin, which we made just before dark, having come that
day seventeen miles.
We did not go right down to the Tarwin, but camped on a creek
which crossed the road about quarter of a mile from it. Here
we pitched our tent a few feet from the foot of a large dead
tree about 200 feet high, against which we made our fire. While
at tea a discussion arose as to whether the tree would catch alight,
and if so, which way it would fall, and the last member of the
party before turning in, put the fire out as well as he could, all
except a few sparks. In doing so, however, he found that the
tree was hollow and that the fire had burned through it. We slept
soundly till about three o’clock in the morning, when waking up we
found the tree was on fire all up, flames and sparks rushing out of a
hole about 100 feet from the ground with a roar like a furnace. We
got up and moved our camp out of reach and lay down, and went to
sleep again, At about five o’clock we were all awoke by a crack.
Three heads were at once thrust out of the tent door in time to see
the tree come down, at first slowly, then with gradually accelerated
speed, breaking into innumerable smoking fragmeuts with a loud
report.
We started at about nine o’clock the next morning, crossing the
Tarwin, which was a good stream about up to the horses knees, and
passing through Mirboo South. The clearings once passed, the track
began again to ascend a spur separating different tributaries of the
Tarwin, which led across the Hoddle Range, on to another spur
separating the waters of Stockyard Creek from the waters of the
Franklin. For some time after leaving Mirboo, the road was
tolerably dry, but after the first eight or nine miles it became very
wet, standing in pools covered with a green swamp grass, which
with short intervals continued all the way until we came close to
Forster. There was a forest of enormous timber, with dense under-
growth, on both sides. with only one clearing. At about dark we
made Stockyard Creek, just outside Forster. We had come, as
measured on the map; twenty miles, by local estimate, twenty-three.
We camped upon open ground, near old gold workings. Many gullies
came down from different directions to join the creek, separated by
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. AZ
—
thick spurs covered with low scrub with light foliage, forming a
pleasing contrast with the mighty forest behind.
The next morning we passed through Forster, and saw Mr. Barry
the line repairer, and obtained from him much useful information as
to the Promontory tracks. After leaving Forster, the track lay
across heathy plains, sloping towards Corner Inlet. On our left,
behind us, rose the wooded ranges we had passed through, from
which ran a long barren spur on our right, which culminated in bald
hills of considerable height, and then died down into the isthmus
which joins the Promontory to the mainland. Innumerable creeks
containing a peaty water, rising in this range and running to Corner
Inlet, crossed our path, with an occasional belt of small timber.
Before us rose the misty mountains of the Promontory. Then we
gradually left the hills behind us, and found ourselves upon the
sandy isthmus between Corner Inlet and Shallow Inlet, and by sun-
down had reached the homestead of Yanakie Station. It is nine-
teen miles from Forster to Yanakie, and there is no house by the
way. Here we were very kindly entertained by Mr. Miller, Mr.
McHaffie’s manager, who insisted upon taking us in, notwithstanding
our travel-stained appearance, and accommodating us for the night.
After breakfast the next morning, he put us upon the way to the
beach. After about half a mile of hummocky country, interspersed
with she-oaks, we came upon a region of sand dunes, pure sand
white as snow, without a particle of vegetation, rising into hillocks
some fifty feet high, of curious shapes, from the tops of which the
sand was blown into a cloud like smoke. Inthe hollows the ground
was a little firmer, a thin incrustation of lme being apparently
deposited over the sand. The transition from the heathy pastures
of Yanakie to these utterly barren dunes was very sudden. In some
places vegetation could be seen struggling with the sand along a
narrow border—a bush or a hillock or a tree with the tips of its
leayes just above the top of a hummock or heap of sand, in other
places the vegetation, yet uninjured, stretches to the very foot of
the sand dune by which it will be soon engulphed. Thousands of
acres of Yanakie Station have teen swallowed up by these dunes,
and they threaten to cover the whole of it. After passing for about
two miles and a half across this sandy waste, we came out near the
beach. We had now before us seven miles of hard, smooth, white
sand, the blue sea rolling in on our right in long white breakers, a
range of rugged hummocks upon our left, and before us, at the end
of the beach rose the granite mountains of .the Promontory, tinted
according to their distance with different shades of blue and violet.
There was a fresh breeze off the sea, filling the air with white spray.
Off the coast were fantastic islands, mere knobs of granite poking
their heads above the water. Sea birds ran along the sand before us,
rising into the air screaming, as we came near. There could not be
48 THE VICTORIAN. NATURALIST.
conceived a better or pleasanter road to walk upon, so we made good
progress for the Derby. Here, the mountains coming down to the sea
made further progress along the beach impossible. A sand-bank
closed the mouth of the creek, we crossed it, and turning up the left
bank, again struck the telegraph line which we had left at Yanakie.
(To be continued.)
THE ORCHIDEA OF VICTORIA.
By C. French, Government Botanist’s Department.
(Part 7.)
PrasopHyttum AvsTratn, (R. Brown.)
This pretty sp., approaches in many respects some of the more
stunted or dwarf forms of P. elatum, differing very much however
in colour, also by the lighter green stem, and thus seems to be more
like P. patens, a pretty though a much commoner sp., a description
of which will be given as we proceed with the paper. In the flat-
ground about Western Port, I have found several specimens of this
orchid, In the “ Flora” we find it described as a sp., having flowers
striped with brown and yellowish green. I have not noticed any
stripes, although the colour of flowers seems to be of a greenish white
and brown, ‘The leaf sheath as described by Bentham, being, as he
says, much longer than in most other sp. In determining many of the
sp., of this remarkable genus, it will be absolutely necessary to call
in the aid of a scientific botanist, who could critically examine the
specimens, and thereby save a deal of guesswork and the consequent
disappointments in connection therewith. To grow this sp., damp
loamy soil should be used, plenty of clear water, and a little shade
from the direct rays of the sun. Height from 1 to 2 ft., flowers
several in a spike, Bloomsin December and January. P. lutescens
of Lindley, is identical with this sp, Found also in Tasmania and
in South Australia.
P, Brevizasre, (Hooker.)
This is a sp,, which I never remember having found myself,
consequently I am obliged to give you briefly, a description in
accordance with that given by Bentham and Mueller, viz.—Allied
to R. patens in aspect, in the size of flowers, and in the ovary, stems
mostly under 1 foot high, the leaf sheath broad and loose, dorsal
sepal under 4 lines long, petals rather shorter, narrow and acuminate.
Labellum sessile This sp., has been found in the Moe swamps
by F. Mueller and others, also in East Gippsland, Tasmania, New
South Wales, and in Queensland. Time of flowering unknown to
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 49
me. Cultivation same, I should think, as that recommended for
former species.
P. patens, (R. Brown.)
A very pretty, and in some districts common sp., to be found on
flats, particularly those bordering on ranges near Dandenong,
Frankston, Dromana, Mt. Macedon, Grampians, Marysville, &c.
To those who collect orchids as an instructive and pleasurable
pastime, this sp. will be not difficult to distinguish, principally
because of its abundance, although being variable, it may easily, to
an ordinary observer, be mistaken for either P. alpinum or fuscum.
The flowers for the size of the plant being somewhat small, of a
yellowish green colour, the labellum being bordered with white
(a point in the recognition of this sp. which should not be over-
looked.) Labellum as long as the petals, sessile atthe base. To
grow it well use good strong yellow loam, keep damp, with always
good drainage. Place say twelve tubers in a shallow pot or pan,
and with very little care these will flower very abundantly. In
growing specimens of this genus, I had almost omitted to mention
that they should have as much air as possible, otherwise, as with
most other plants, they become weak and “drawn,” and thus lose
much of their hardiness and beauty. Flowers in January and
February. Height 6 inches to 2 feet. Found also in Queensland,
New South Wales, Tasmania, and South Australia. P. truncatum
seems to be identical with this sp.
P. ruscum, (R. Brown.)
A variable species nearly allied to some forms of P. patens,
usually rather smaller with smaller flowers, and the sepals and petals
narrow and darker coloured, but the extreme forms of the two
species only to be distinguished by the labellum. Here we again
find our difficulties, the descriptions given by Bentham of P. patens
seems to so closely resemble this plant that the detection of such
differences must be done by a most practised eye, or else confusion
will be certain to arise. We must however, ‘flounder about” and
do our best should we come across this sp. to compare the specimens
and should we fail, it would be no great disgrace, seeing by the
synonomy of these curious plants, how many greater than we
have been temporarily mistaken. And whileI am getting thus ‘‘ mixed”
in my ideas, I cannot help thinking (and I am sure most of you
will agree with me,) that without wishing in the slightest to
blame our scientific zoologists here, that had the Zoology of
Australia been as well worked out as the botany has been, by
Baron von Mueller, there would have been little occasion for Mr.
Caldwell, (or anyone else) coming to Australia to work out the
50 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
peculiarities of the Monotremata or any other animals, be they duck-
billed or otherwise.
To return to the orchid, I should say that the same culture as
that recommended for the former sp. would suffice. P. alpinum,
P. afinis, and P. rostratum, are synonyms of this sp. Found
also in Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, and iu South
Australia. Mr. Bentham adds some copious notes to his description
of this sp., which may be found in vol. VI., page 340.
I may mention before closing this description, that this sp. was
formerly known by the name of P. alpinum, and seems to be equally
at home whether growing in moist flats, or on the tops of our
highest mountains.
Section 3. GENOPLESIUM.
Labellum obtuse, or contracted into a claw at the base, articulate
on a horizontal claw-like basal projection of the column. ‘Stem
slender, the leaf almost or quite reduced to a sheathing bract.
Flowers very small.
P. xigricans, (R. Brown)
Stem very slender, under 6 inches high, with a single leaf $ to ?
inches long. Flowers very small, in a spike 4 to 1 inch, usually
dense and drying of a dark purple or almost black. Sepals broader
than in the following sp.
This little orchid I have never found, so that I can give you no further
account of it, than the abbreviated description taken from the
“Flora.” I may however, say that I take it to approach P.
despectans, or some other of the smaller sp., and if this be the case,
it would be of little value for cultural purposes, excepting of course
to complete a collection. I may also mention that Baron von
Mueller in his Census, gives this sp. as being also from Victoria, but
I am not aware from what part. Found in New South Wales,
Tasmania, and in South Australia.
P. rurum, (R. Brown.)
Stem slender, 6 to 8 inches high, the leaf reduced to a sheathing
bract near the spike, 3 to 2 inches long. Flowers, the smallest in
the genus in a spike of 4 to2 inches. Sepals tipped with a small
point but (always) without the gland of P. nigricans. This is
another sp. which I have as yet not myself found, and although the
characters given seem very’clear, it appears that it has also varieties,
I will thus simply give you its synonymous and geographical range.
Believing it to be (as regards culture) identical with the former
sp. Found in Queensland, New South Wales, and Tasmania, and
at Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, by F. Mueller. P. nudum is
said to be identical with this sp.
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 51
P. pEspectans, (Hooker.)
Stems slender, leafless excepting a sheathing bract of about 4
inch below the spike. Flowers narrow and dark coloured as in
P. rufum, but longer, the spike dense, to Linch long. Labellum
shorter than sepals.
I believe that we are indebted to a member of this Club, Mr. T.
McKibbin, for the opportunity of first adding this pretty little
plant to the flora of Victoria, and as [ have mislaid the excellent
paper read by him on the orchids of the Maryborough district, I
am unable to give you the exact locality where he found it, but I
believe it was somewere in the vicinity of Maryborough. I have
not seen this sp. in a living state, although Baron von Mueller at
once recognised the specimen as the Tasmanian P. despectans.
For cultural purposes, it would I should say, rank with the former
mentioned sp., and the soil recommended for these would probably
be the same. Found in sandy soil near Hobart in Tasmania, also
according to the census in South Australia.
P arcaERi, (Hooker)
Rather taller than P. jfimbriatum, a New South Wales sp.,
the leaf reduced to a sheathing bract with a short erect almost
subulate lamina close under the inflorescence. Flowers rather
larger than in the other sp. of the section, few together, spike rarely
one inch long. Labellum articulate and fringed with long hairs
This is another of Mr. McKibbin’s finds, and as in the former sp.
does him credit as a close observer, for these slender sp. when
growing amongst scrub or grass, requires a very sharp look-out to
detect them. Iam indebted to Mr. McKibbin for the tuber from
which I flowered a very fine and perfect specimen. Since writing
these notes, I have flowered another sp. which the Baron has proved
to be P. Archert, and, I regret to say that Mr. McKibbin lost his
tubers, so mine I believe to be the only one left; and this is (or was
a few months since,) in the very large and interesting collection of
native orchids which I formed at the Botanic Gardens, and which
was handed over by me as a donation, previous to my being trans-
ferred to this department. ‘The cultivated specimens I found to be
more robust than the dried specimens which I have seen from
Tasmanla, gathered in their native haunts, but this is only to be
expected, still it goes to show how little dependance can be placed
on specimens which have been cultivated, and how necessary it is to
have a national herbarium, in which every form, variation, and
transition has a place. To grow this little orchid, I found the top
soil from grassland to suit it best, and with a liberal supply of clean
water when coming into flower, it will amply repay (as a botanical
52 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
plant,) any little trouble bestowed upon it. Found also in Tasmania,
and was hitherto confined to that colony.
P. intricatum, (C. Stuart in Herb. F. Mueller.)
A slender plant with the habit of P. fimbriatum. Flowers brown
or pale yellow, with the labellum purple.
This curious little plant which was found and exhibited at this
Club first by my son, is very much like P. archer?, so much so that
it is difficult for anyone excepting a thoroughly good botanist to
determine them. It was found on top of the dry sand-hills at
Frankston, and, of course, at once pronounced by its finder to bea
new orchid, the usual reference to the Baron was resorted to, with the
cheerful result, a well-known Tasmanian plant but new for Victoria,
(or at least for the district in which it was found,) but very
interesting, and thus the finder was rewarded for his perseverance,
although somewhat disappointed. I have no reason to describe this
sp. further, as the novelties found by other members of this Club,
and by myself since the Club’s inauguration, have been so ably
worked up by the Baron in the columns of the “S. S. Record,”
Pharmaceutical Society’s Journal, and the ‘“S. Naturalist,’ that
further remarks will be I think unnecessary. To grow it, (to
complete the collection in pots,) it should be planted in a shallow
pot of sand and gravelly loam, and should not be kept too moist
otherwise the tubers are apt to decay. Great care should be taken
with these smaller kinds, that good and efficient drainage is always
seen to, as well as care as to keeping the tubers while at rest, a
matter which I shall again refer to before closing my paper.
Flowers in January and even later. Found also in Tasmania.
This will conclude the sp. of the genus Prasophyllum, the next in
order being Microtis, which will form the subject of my next
number.
NOTE.
By approval of the honorable Graham Berry, Chief Secretary, a new
edition of Baron Von Mueller’s volume on “Select Plants for
Industrial Culture and Naturalisation,” is now passing at the
Government Printing Office through the press. It will appear
towards the end of the year, and thus available also for use at the
Colonial Exhibition in London. This will be the Sixth edition in
the English language, and it will be still further enlarged than the
American one, which appeared last year at Mr. George Davis’
great establishment in Detroit.
Cc. H. MUMM & CO.,,
TAMPAGNE
Has the Largest Saie of any Champagne.
SOSSPCOCSCPCOSOSSOCOCOSVSSSCOCIOOCOSD
SOLE AGENTS FOR VICTORIA—
ALEX. JOSKE & CO.
16 Little Collias Street East.
Wu. 8. HUSBANDS,
Ad ANOLACL RING OPTICIAN
81 @UEEN STREET,
MELBOURNE,
(Established 1862),
BRISTOL ENGLAND, (Established 1762.)
W272 ooo
Students Compound Achromatic Microscopes and
Accessories in Stock.
Mathematical, Philosophical, Meterologicai, Nautical,
Optical, Surveying and Mining Instruments,
Importer, Se.
The Metfords Theodolites and Level Combined.
The Improved Dumping Levels Ball Motion.
Vou. II: No. 5, ! Szerrzuper 1885,
THE
Mictorian Waturalist:
THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE
OF THE
d Naturalists’ Club cof Victoria
The Author of each article is responsible for the facts and
opinions he records.
GC) IS) ee SS
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Proceedings of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria Hae 53
To Wilson’s Promontory Overland. By J. B. Gracory, M.A.,
and A. H. Lucas, M.A. ° He At 54
Notes on a Trip to the Caves near Chudleigh, Tasmania. By
EF. Wisrwouip vie yey Loe 59
CorRESPONDENCE pa eh nies ee 63
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THE
Wictorian Waturalist:
Worsy Ties No... 5: SEPT. 1885. No 21
THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.
Tue monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society’s
Hall, on Monday evening, 10th August, 1885.
The president, the Rev. J. J. Halley, occupied the chair, and
about fifty members and visitors were present.
The hon. librarian acknowledged the receipt of the following
donations to the Club's library :—
“ Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria,” 19 vols., from
the Society, ‘‘ Proceedings of Linnean Society of New South Wales,”
Vol. X., part 2, from the Society;” ‘‘ Proceedings of Royal Society
of Queensland,” Vol. I., parts 2, 3, and 4, from the Society; and
also announced the receipt from Mrs. Curdie, of a small collection
of foreign coleoptera, formerly belonging to the late Dr. Curdie, as
a donation to the Club’s museum.
The hon. secretary read a short account of the Club excursion to
Cheltenham on the 8th inst., which, though rather poorly attended,
proved most enjoyable on account of the splendid day. Some of
the earlier spring flowers such as Hpacris impressa, Hibbertia
fasciculata, H. densiflora, H. stricta, Acacia suaveolens, and Hovea
linearis were more or less abundant. The only orchid noted in bloom
was Cyrtostylis reniformis, but plants of Pterostylis barbata and
Lyperanthus nigricans were seen. The ferns Schizea bifida, and
Gleichenia circinata were found growing in one of the hollows. The
pools which occur in the numerous hollows proved good fishing
grounds for fresh water crustaceans, &c., amongst other captures being
the large silvery-grey water spider, Argyrometra aquatica; the small
red water spiders Hydrachna globulus and Limnochares aquatica,
the shield shrimp, Apus Cancriformis, and several fresh water insects
and larve.
The following ladies and gentlemen were elected members of the
Club:—-Miss Lange, Miss A. Lange, Mrs. Lange, Miss Rankin,
54 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
Rey. W. T. Whan, M.A., Messrs H. Andrews, I. Batey, W. Brook,
John Dennant, C. Frost. M. Gamble, A. J. Hall, F. C Lange, G.
Meyler, W. E. Pickles, F.R.M.S., R. N. Smith, and Wm. Taylor.
Papers read:—1. Mr. C. A. Topp, M.A., read the first part of
a paper entitled “‘ A geological sketch of South-western Victoria,”
contributed by Mr. J. Dennant, of Hamilton. This, after giving a
geological description of the district, gave a detailed account of the
older formations occuring between the Glenelg and Wando rivers,
county of Dundas.
2. The hon secretary read the first part of a popular paper on
“The Habits of Native Birds,” contributed by Mr. Isaac Batey, of
Sunbury. The writer’s observations respecting crows, which formed
the subject of this part, created considerable discussion among those
present.
The following were the principal exhibits of the evening :—By
Mr. E. Bage, three sp. of water spiders, shield shrimps, water beetles,
and small entromostraca obtained at Cheltenham excursion, also
Vorticella under the microscope; by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard,
geological specimens from Buninyong; by Mr. A. W. Coles,
collection of birds from Townsville, Queensland; by Rev. A. W.
Cresswell, M.A., flowering stem of the larger grass-tree Xanthorrhea
australis ; by Rev. J. J. Halley, cheap portable microscope stand,
by Baker, of London; by Mr. I. J. Hughes, bird of paradise ; by
Mr. H. Kennon, small pearl obtained from an oyster purchased in
Melbourne, also human tecth found on beech at Stewart Island ; by
Mr. T. A. Forbes-Leith, the American migratory thrush, Turdus
migratorius, British song thrush, Turdus mustcus, American red-
winged blackbird, Ageleus pheniceus, and British blackbird, Turdus
merula, also feathers of the emu with double and triple shafts ; by
Mr. J. McKibbon, orchids in bloom, Péerostylis curta, P. pedunculata,
P. nutans, also an apparently hybrid species of Péerostylis, four
species of lizards, with double and triple tails; by Mr. F. Reader,
fungi Polyporus borealis, Fr., new to Australia, and P.
ochroleucus, Berk, P. tardus, Berk., and Didymiwm farinaceum
hitherto unrecorded for Victoria; by Mr. G. Rose, fossils from
Cheltenham.
After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated.
TO WILSON’S PROMONTORY OVERLAND.
By J. B. Grueaory, M.A., anp A. H. 8. Lucas, M.A.
Pant:
Tus track now for abouta mile skirted a grassy flat which was bordered
on our left by a swamp covered with tall tree scrub, and on our
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 55
right by the foot of the mountains, the tops of which were now
covered with a wide flat cap of clouds. It then turned to the right
through a saddle in Mount Leonard, and in three miles, after cross-
ing two creeks and several gullies and their intervening ridges,
descended again to the beach on the shore of Leonard Bay. The
mountains near the sea were for the most part bare of timber, though
there were occasional belts and patches, especially in the gullies, of
no great height, and strewn here and there with granite boulders of
all shapes and sizes. The water we crossed after leaving the Derby
was very good. That at the mouth of the latter stream was other-
wise, the spring tide apparently rising into the marshes. After
making the shore of Leonard Bay, we again kept to the waters edge
along the hard white sand for half-a-mile, when we came to a steep
range jutting out into the sea in a point called Pillar Point. Over
this the track went and descended on the other side. At its base
ran a stream called the Tidal River, which we crossed and camped
for the night on the grassy flats opposite. We had come fifteen
miles from Yanakie and five from the Derby.
We were now on the shore of Norman Bay. To the north-east,
looking up the valley, the view was closed by the densely-wooded
slopes of Mount La Trobe, rising to a height of 2400 feet. To the
north was Mount Bishop, say 1000 feet lower, a spur of which we
had just crossed. It was strewn with boulders, and ran down
in a steep slope covered with brushwood, the foot of which was
washed by the Tidal River. A spur from Mount Oberon formed the
southern boundary of Norman Bay.
Starting the next morning, we left the telegraph line and turned
towards a saddle in the spur last named, locally known as the bad
saddle. A steep and slippery track led up to a narrow pass between
two conical peaks. On reaching this point the party divided, two of
us turned to the left, towards the summit of Mount Oberon, the
third, preferring to collect shells, led the horse down to the beach on
the other side of the saddle. Keeping along the spur we met with
no great difficulty beyond some dense serub in the hollows. On the
top of the mountain, fortunately, some tall boulders rose above this,
and so gaye a look-out all round, except where the view was shut in
by the higher masses of Mount La Trobe and Mount Wilson. We
were about 2000 feet above the sea, and about a mile from the
water’s edge. It would take long to describe the view of peaks and
islands, and the vast expanse of sea and sky which rewarded our
climb. We descended by a steep gully down which trickled a
stream of water from a spring, of which we drank as it flowed from
the rock. Continuing our march the track now skirted that part of
Oberon Bay, locally known as the Little Bay, and crossing another
rocky spur, came out on the sands of the Great Bay, as the larger
division of Oberon Bay is locally called. The mountains here recede
56 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
from the shore some miles, leaving a large flat, lightly timbered.
Immediately on descending on to the sands, we crossed a fresh
running creek. We then kept for about a mile along the sands of
Oberon Bay, when we came to another creek. This we did not cross,
but turning to our left soon struck a track which, in a distance of
two or three miles through small timber, brought us again to the
telegraph line, and at the same time to a creek. It was now dark,
so here we camped for the night. We had come that day, leaving
out of account the ascent of Mount Oberon, about six miles.
The next morning we crossed the creek, or rather two creeks close
together, and ascended the hill on the other side, known as Martin’s
hill, which- drought us out on top of a high open plateau with hills
all round, covered with boulders. Several times we descended into
thick wooded valleys, through which flowed fine streams of clear
cold water, shaded by tree ferns. About mid-day we came out upon
the brow of Mount Southern overlooking the lighthouse. It is upon
a rocky point rising boldly out of the sea to a height of some 350
feet, but it appeared a long way below us as we looked down upon
it. Out to sea was an archipelago of islands, the Rodonda, the
Ansers, Hogan Island, the Moncure Islands, and others. There was
no sign of the hand of man anywhere, except in the track and
telegraph descending the mountain side, and the few acres of land
on the top of the point on which stood the lighthouse. We did
not at onee descend, but returned to the last creek we had crossed
bus a little way back, where we unloaded our packs and left our
horse. We then went downto thelighthouse. Here we found that
our intended visit had been telegraphed from Forster, and that we
were the first party of tourists, as far as was known, who had ever
visited the place by land. Mr. Gregory recognised Mr. Martin, the
lighthouse-keeper, as having seen him at Cape Otway five years
before. After viewing the lighthouse and its surroundings we re-
turned to the creek where we had left our packs and camped for the
night. We had come that day about six miles.
Phe next day we returned by the road by which we had come, and
camped on a creek in a gully on Mount Leonard.
The next day we returned to Yanakie, where we were again
kindly entertained by Mr. Miller.
The next day My. Robinson }orrowed a horse and rode on ahead.
The party was thus reduced to two, who continued to return by the
way by which we had come until we had passed the head of Shallow
Inlet. We then took a track which turned off from the telegraph line
to the left, and after crossing Dividing Creek, which runs into the head
of Sh allow Inlet, separated into two, the left-hand turning going south
to Irazer’s station, the right goimg north of east over the Hoddle
Range to the mouth of the Tarwin, at the head of Anderson’s Inlet.
This latter we took. It lay across heathy plains, gradually rising
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 57
towards the brow of the Hoddle Range, crossing several creeks
lined with belts of small timber. Just before making the brow of
the range the road became somewhat steeper, but not for long. The
height of the range, perhaps 1000 feet, being made up chiefly in the
long slope up from the sea. After making the brow of the range,
it is difficult to say whether the track went up or down. It crossed
an elevated heathy plateau, over which the evening breeze blew
keenly, with belts of small timber in the hollows. As we crossed no
creeks, we were apparently following a watershed line. Before us
we could see, from time to time, the Bald Hills, near which we ex-
pected to find a creek andtocamp. Atabout sundown we descended
into a hollow just under the Bald Hills. Here we found a good creek
and timber and a fenced enclosure. It was a complete solitude, not
baying seen a human habitation since we left Yanakie. We had
come that day twenty-two miles. It rained during the night.
Rising the next morning, the sky was overcast so that we could
not see the sun. We bathed in the creek, and as we were proceed-
ing to get breakfast we saw clouds gathering round the Bald Hills,
black as we had seldom or never seen before, and it began to thunder
and lighten and rain with a great downpour. We took shelter in
our tent, but the wind so bent down the saplings to which it was
tied, that the canvas hung in bags and consequently let in water.
When the rain ceased we packed up and continued our course to the
Tarwin. ‘The country was similar, descending with an almost im-
perceptible slope. ‘There was a strong biting wind in our faces, and
occasional showers. After a while we got among clumps of tea-
serub and left a branch track to our left which we understood went
to Black's station, and in another mile orso we came upon selectors’
fences and habitations, the first we had seen since leaving Yanakie,
and soon after we came out on the banks of the Tarwin. When we
had crossed it before at Mirboo South, it was a fine mountain
stream about up to the horse’s knees ; it was now a tidal river as big
as the Saltwater at its junction with the Yarra, and capable of
floating a craft of considerable size. On enquiry we learned that it
was about four o'clock, for our only watch had stopped and we could
not see the sun ail day, that the bridge was two or three miles up,
and it was doubtful whether it was so finished that we could cross
it. We determined, therefore, to try the ferry. Our packs were
accordingly put in a small dingy and the horse had to swim, and we
soon found ourselves on a piece of grassy land on the opposite bank,
over which the water was rapidly rising. We loaded as quickly as
possible and endeavoured to keep the track. This it was difficult to
do where it was all under water. The result was we soon got off it
into a ditch, where the horse went down, sending our top packs and
one of the saddle-bags into the salt water. We got in up to our
middles in getting it out again. This was not promising late in the
58 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
afternoon, but there was nothing to do but to load up again and make
the best of our way on to the higher ground. Getting out of the
water the track turned up a slope covered in the first instance with tea-
scrub and afterwards a small gum timber. In alittle way it skirted
a gully in which was a spring of good water. Here we determined
to camp, and having pitched our tent, proceeded to light a roaring
fire in a sheltered hollow at the top of the gully, by which we dried
our clothes and rugs, got supper and turned in. Notwithstanding
our mishap we slept quite warm and dry. We had come that day
about ten miles.
The next morning the road continued to pass through not dis—
similar country, skirting at some miles distance Anderson’s Inlet.
Soon we found selections upon one side or both sides, which con-
tinued till we reached Screw Creek. It was low tide when we got
there, and we found the water a little above our knees, with a good
rocky bottom. After crossing the creek the selections ceased. We
were directed a near cut to the left, which in about a mile from Screw
Creek, took us to a creek of fresh water, where we had lunch. Thence
we continued across heathy plains with belts and clumps of small
timber. Towards evening we could make out the Bass ranges in
front of us, and soon after the top of Cape Woolamai. Turning
off the main track by a branch track to the right near a stockyard, at
about sun-down we reached the Powlett. Here again there was
the house of a settler, though it appeared empty except one old man
who seemed to be care-taker. We camped by the roadside. We
had come that day twenty miles.
The next morning we bathed in the Powlett. It was a good
stream of fresh water about up to our middles, say fifty feet across,
There was an old bridge of round timber over it. While we were
loading up, Mr. Griffith, a neighbouring settler, came by and directed
us how to find our way by a short cut over the hills to the Bass,
which we accordingly reached without passing through Kilceunda.
We lunched by its banks and then proceeded by the coach road to
Grantville. At the store here we had to buy more buscuits to
replace those which had been spoilt by the salé water. The store-
keeper also filled our billies with fresh water; we had before watered
the horse by the road-side. About half a mile out of the township
we turned off the road into the bush and camped. The next day we
continued along the coach road to Tooradin getting lunch by Tobin
Yallock, the last fresh water creek we passed before Dandenong.
The road lay first through forests of small timber, white gum |
prevailing; then large paddocks sown with clover which grew.
luxuriantly, covering the road on both sides of the track. This was
especially the case at Caldermead, an estate on the left bank of
Tobin Yallock. This estate evidently consists of a reclaimed swamp
as could be seen by the deep drains and occasional clumps of tea
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 59
tree left in the hollows, but it had been reclaimed to some effect, the
air was sweet with the smell of the clover, and there were large herds
of fat cattle in the paddocks. After passing Caldermead we began
to cross inlets from Westernport, running up into Kooweerup. The
country became very flat covered with masses of dead tea-scrub.
The last of these inlets was at Tooradin, where we camped for the
night. We had come that day twenty-two miles. The next day
we continued through Cranbourne to Dandenong, a distance of
eighteen miles, where we left the horse, and returned by rail to
Melbourne, the fifteenth day after we had left.
NOTES ON A TRIP TO THE CAVES NEAR
CHUDLEIGH, TASMANTA.
By F. WisEwovu.tp.
Tuesx Cayes are situated on the Mole Creek at the foot of the
mountains, near Chudleigh, Tasmania, about fifty miles from
Launceston.
The easiest way to reach them is. by rail to Deloraine, on the
Western line, a distance of about forty miles, and thence by convey-
ance or horseback through Chudleigh, some ten miles further on, but
if walking exercise is approved of, the walk from Deloraine is very
pleasant and enjoyable.
The most comfortable way to see them is to appropriate one day
to the journey to the foot of the mountains, camp there the night,
or if camping out is not eared for, a farm-house is close at hand,
where a coil up under cover can be obtained. At this plaee also
you will obtain your guide to take you into the Caveg next day.
The following day should then be appropriated to the Caves, and
before starting, a careful change of all our clothing must be made,
putting on any old garments which we have taken care to have with ~
us, as we shall come out cold and wet through. We may then
proceed to an inspection, but first, let us have some idea, if possible,
of the locality.
Tn front of us, and almost in a semicircle, are the mountains, some
distance up which is the source of the Mole Creek, (go called, I
believe, because it runs some distance under the earth), which runs
through the Caves, and which, shortly after starting disappears
under the earth, making its appearance again at the mouth of the
second Cave, it then runs about quarter of a mile between high
banks and again disappears into the first Cave, runs across its
mouth only again to disappear for nearly a mile, although during
60 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
this portion of its course there are many well-like holes in the
ground, through which, if the ferns and undergrowth were cleared
away we could see the creek rushing silently After this, the creek
again appears at a natural bridge, a beautiful spot to which our
guide first takes us and where we first make our acquaintance with
the creek.
This bridge consists of a large rock some ten or twelve feet in
length, suspended on two walls of rock some fifteen feet high, over
a pool of water, pure as crystal, with a fine yellowy-white, sandy
bottom. To properly see the bridge, we must go down an almost
perpendicular bank to the edge of the pool; here we find the creek
bubbling up on the left hand side of the pool, swiftly running across
it as if surprised at appearing so suddenly in the sunlight and
disappearing under the wall of rock on the right, only to appear
again some distanee further on. The opposite side of the pool to
that on which we descend slopes gradually up the hill side and is for
many feet up covered with beautiful ferns of all sizes.
After having seen this we go on to the first Cave, taking care not
to fall into any of the deep holes, across the bottom of which the
creek runs. Having arrived at it, we find a pool of water guarding
the entrance, of a depth unknown, and which appears black and
gloomy in the deep shade of the rocky entrance, surrounded as it is
with shrubs, while overhead, the staghorn and other ferns covering
the rock almost seem to shut out the daylight. Towards this we-
descend, our guide telling us it is only about two feet deep, but we
find on reaching the edge that we can get over it by some stepping
stones at one end, and then we are in the first Cave, through which
a branch of the creek runs all the way. This Cave is high, and in
some places you can see the daylight streaming in through a man-
hole far above your head on the top of the hill under which the Cave
lies. The floor is black and slippery, with here and there beds of
shingle ; in other places it and the sides in the dim light appear to
be black marble. At the far end and just before we reach the day-
light again, we come to a sharp rise in the floor of the left hand side
of the Cave, after ascending which we find ourselves met by a deep,
dark hole, some distance down which, by the aid of our candles, we
can just see the glimmer of water, the depth of which, our guide tells
us, is very great, and that he has never yet been able to find the
bottom of it, (perhaps he has never tried, and as we have no means
of checking him, we must take it for oranted that it is so.) We
then retrace our steps (as it is easier to walk 100 yards underground
than a quarter of a mile over a hill,) and proceed to the second
Caye. The creek between the first and second Cayes, a distance of
nearly a quarter of a mile, runs between high banks covered with
beautiful flowering dintihes tree ferns, and many smaller sorts, and
is open to daylight all the way.
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 61
The entrance to the second Cave cannot be seen from above, it is
therefore necessary to go down the steep bank some thirty feet to
the edge of the water, when we find ourselves opposite the Caye’s
entrance, it being across the creek. Here the water is only: about
one foot deep, running over a bright sand, and the pool in front of
the entrance is almost surrounded by beautiful ferns, some many feet
high. Now we see the necessity of having on our old clothing. We
walk through the creek into the Cave, and are once more on dry
ground, but only for a few minutes. The entrance is some ten feet
wide, and about as many high, gradually increasing to about thirty
feet, and having proceeded about twenty or thirty yards, we light
our candles, as it gets very dark. A little further on, the roof
suddenly descends to about ten feet, and the floor dips correspond-
ingly about three feet into the creek, which here appearing from
under the wall to our left rushes away into a hole on our right,
running right across the Cave over a rough, rocky bottom. We
made through this some six or seven yards, where some of the ladies
and one or two of the gentlemen of our party come to grief over the
slippery stones, and the water being between two or three feet deep,
they are consequently wet nearly to the neck. After this, the
Caye’s roof suddenly rises to about fifty feet, and in one place opens
right out on the hull side, where, far above us we can see a glimmer
of sunshine, partly obscured by the fronds of atree fern. The floor
of the cave here is white, and in some places sparkling slightly, (a
small piece of which I have with me,) and it maintains this character
in many parts of the cave, but where the creek runs it is either
shingle or yellow sand. After this we enter an almost circular
chamber with a dome-shaped roof, the floor for the most part being
dry, but round the side the creek runs and in one part is very deep.
Proceeding further, the roof is very irregular, now so high that it is
lost in black darkness, and again so low that it is almost necessary
to creep on your hands and knees.
The stalactites, especially those over deep pools of water, and
which cannot be touched are very beautiful, but the finest are high
up and cannot be properly seen by the light of our candles. (One
I have with me, but not very good.) After proceeding a little
further on we meet the creek, again running straight down the cave
and suddenly turning to the left disappears under the wall. We
follow it up for 100 yards or so. At first we can walk upright, the
water being up to our waists and intensely cold, but after 40 or 50
yards it shallows and is only up to our knees, but as the roof
suddenly lowers and is only about four feet high, we must creep
along with our faces in some places only a few inches above the
surface of the water, in our attempts to avoid which we frequently
suddenly raise our heads only to lower them quickly, having ex-
perienced that the roof is harder than our skulls, and here, and in
62 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
similar places to these, we envy those who have good hard hats to
protect their heads. Having traversed this uncomfortable portion,
we turn to the right into a high chamber, and on the corner of the
wall as we turn we have some four feet from the ground the
“Hanging Fleece,” which is of a whitish yellow, is some feet in
length, and is an almost perfect representation of a large fleece of
wool.
Having passed through this chamber on dry ground, a few yards
further on we come to another, and on the wall as we turn into it
we have the “Organ Pipes,” being six or eight large stalactites, if
they may be so called, of some feet in length, representing the pipes
of an organ, and which, when struck, have a clear ring, showing they
are perfect and sound. From this on the stalactites disappear, the
cave seeming to have been cut out of the soft yellow rock.
The floor now is yery uneven, and suddenly rises some eight or
ten feet, up which we clamber and find ourselves in a long narrow
chamber of soft yellow rock known as the “ Registry Office.” Here
on both sides are the names of those who have entered the caye,
written in every imaginable style, from candle grease, downwards,
thus giving the chamber its name. This gallery has a smooth floor,
and is about four feet wide, fifty feet long, and twenty feet high.
Under this there is another gallery of the same length, along which
itis necessary to creep almost flat on your face, there being only
room for one at atime to pass. The original floor of the cave after
passing the registry office falls about seven feet into a chamber with
a fine sandy floor and of a good height, and the cave pretty well
keeps this character for the remainder of the distance we go, the
creek sometimes crossing and sometimes running straight down the
cave, until we come to a long chamber with sides sloping upwards,
until they almost join in the centre, the walls being of a hard brown
stone, and here as we are all nearly frozen in our lower limbs, we
elect to stop, our guide telling us we have travelled nearly a mile
but that if we like he will take us upwards of a mile further on, that
being the distance he has explored, although the cave extends
further eyen than that.
We now put out our candles and we can then realise that darkness
which can be felt, and in it our voices seem unwilling to leave our
close proximity, but even here we find life, for we see around us on
the walls what look like very small glow-worms,* shining out like
miniature stars, and which seem to make the darkness more intense.
Having re-lit our candles we retrace our steps as rapidly as possible
to the entrance. On emerging from the cave we quickly make our
*Probably a fungous growth.
‘ THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 63
way for the camp, change completely, and take exercise to restore
circulation.
I have been influenced to shortly sketch out this visit in the hope
that others more scientific than myself may think it worth their
while to afford time to explore these caves and report upon their re-
sources (if any,) the caves and surroundings being such as would, I
think, delight those following any branch of natural history.
Since my visit in January, 1882, I have heard that there is
another cave some few miles further on, which far surpasses the ones
I have tried to describe, asit has been almost untouched by visitors.
CORRESPONDENCE.
ATTEMPT TO REAR A CUCKOO.
(To the Editor of the “ Victorian Naturalsst.”)
Dear Sir,
I have the pleasure to contribute the following infermation for the
benefit of your valued and interesting journal.
About the 20th day of December, 1883, while mowing some
common ferns or bracken which were growing unpleasantly near my
orchard fence, being at that time of the year afraid of bush fires,
my attention was arrested by hearing a young bird chirping, and on
looking about I found that I had cut down some ferns in which was
built a small nest, containing a single bird, which appeared to be
decidedly large in comparison to the nest, and was in a nearly
nude state, yery plump and strong, not unlike a young dove, but
somewhat smaller. I replaced the ferns as nearly as possible in
their former position, and decided to make the acquaintance of its
parents. After some little time, I was agreeably surprised at seeing
a pair of small and insignificant brown birds, not unlike Larks,
appreach the nest. I at once concluded that all was not right, and
was not a little interested.
A week passed, during which the nest was regularly attended, and
the young bird had grown considerably and was fairly well-fledged.
As Christmas was to be spent in Melbourne, I took leave of my
interesting friends for a week. wishing them every success. On my
return my first thought was the birds, which I found all well,
the young bird being now covered with very distinct bands of dark
grey and pure white feathers. Preparing a cage, I took the bird into
safe keep ing. F,
64. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
On showing to my neighbours and narrating my experience to
them, they remarked it was very strange, but I maintained my
opinion against all that I had got a real Victorian Cuckoo.
The bird thrived with me well, and was fed on meat and hard
boiled egg, but though well cared for seemed to suffer much from
the weather when it became cold, and in the month of June died,
as I think from its effects.
I may remark that at the time of discovery I had no knowledge
that there was such a bird known inthis colony, and this, coupled
with my friends’ total ignorance in the matter, led me to take a
very considerable amount of interest which I otherwise would not
have done.
With best wishes I have the honour to remain,
Yours faithfully,
Furnprers, WersTERNPORT, J. 8. SMITH.
August 14th, 1885.
ANECDOTE OF A DUCKLING.
Wuen out fishing the other day, we heard the loud chirping of some
bird, and presently spied a little black duckling swimming about in
front of us. It seemed attracted by our voices and anxious to land.
I tried imitating a duck’s call. It was avery poor attempt, but
much to our astonishment the little thing came and landed close to
us. I made a clutch at it, but it slipped back into the water, and
dived out of my hand. When up, it dived once more, and swam
away for about fifty yards. I called again, when it turned and came
straight back. I sat quite still, when the Jittle creature landed,
came round some tossacks and sat down beside me. I may mention
that a black duck and four ducklings had been seen about an hour
before, a little further down the river. She had evidently been
alarmed and left this one behind. It seemed about a day old, but
was wonderfully knowing for its age. We took it home, snugly
tucked up. When taken out it refused to feed, but began preening
its feathers, and then nestled in my hand. It caused much amuse-
ment next morning by following me about, tumbling out of its box,
and off the table, and coming where it heard voices, round corners,
over flower beds, and through borders. It is domesticated with a
white duck and her family, has been with her now for ten days, and
seems quite contented.
6th Nov., 1884. J. A. H.
Cc. H. MUMM & CO.,
CHAMPAGNE
Has the Largest Sale of any Champagne.
SPSOCPSOSSOOCSOSUVCOO SO SSOOS
SOLE AGENTS FOR VICTORIA—
ALEX. JOSKE & COz
16 Mittle Collins Street East.
Wm. S. HUSBANDS,
Jl ANCL ACT ORING OR TICIAN
814 OUEBEN STREET,
MED BOU RIN =,
(Established 1862),
BRISTOL, ENGLAND, (Established 1762.)
Weefereii gen
Séudents Compound Achromatic Microscopes and
Accessories ti Stock.
Mathematical, Philosophical, Meterologicat, Nautical, |
Optical, Surveying and Mining Instruments:
Importer, Sc.
The Metfords Theodolites and Level Combined,
The Improve: Dumping Levels Ball Motion.
Woilwll: No; 6. Octoper 1885.
THE
+ | + or bap Ts fh | : +
Dictorian Patuvalist:
THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE |
OF THE
The Author of each article is responsible for the facts and
opinions he records.
(GUA NS ig Mig A pc
PAGE
Proceedings of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria she 65
Notes on a Basalt-Vitrophyr at Tanjil. By A. W.
Howitt, F.G.S8. as sa rae 67
Geological Sketch of S.W. Victoria. By J. Dayyanr. ... 70
Additions to the Queensland Flora by Dr. Lucas. By
: Baron von Muxuuer. ae aes ma ye
Notes on Victorian Fungs, with List of Species New to
Victoria. By Baron von MurtueEr. ... ane 76
PRICK —SIX PENCE
South MWelbourne ;
J. C, MITCHELL, PRINTER, CLARENDON ST.
. 1885.
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President :
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Pice-PBresipents :
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THE
Pictovian Maturalist:
Vou. II., No. 6. OCTOBER 1885. No 22
THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.
Tue monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society’s
Hall, on Monday evening, 14th September, 1885.
The president, the Rey. J. J. Halley, occupied the chair, and
about seventy-five members and-yisitors were present.
A letter was read from Dr. J. HE. Taylor, I'.G.S., thanking the
Club for his election as an hon. member.
The hon. librarian acknowledged the receipt of the following
donations to the Club’s library: —
“Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales” for
1884, vol. KaValliles from the Society; “ Report of Smithsonian
Institution,” Washington, U.S.A., for 1882, from the U.S. Govt.
The hon. secretary read an account of the Club excursion to
Cheltenham on the 12th inst., written by Mr. C. French, F.L.S.
On account of the heavy rain in the morning, the excursion was
only moderately attended. On arrival at Cheltenham, the members
took a westerly direction towards Brighton. Several pools were
tried for specimens of pond life, but nothing of importance was
captured. The country was simply a blaze of bloom owing to the
numerous Leguminous plants, such as Acacias, Daviesias, ete. ;
Epacrids; Comesperma volubile; and others. During the day over
seventy species of plants were noted iu bloom. Orchids were not
abundant, being more frequent nearer the beach. On some low
ground a splendid patch of the beautiful Hpacrid, Sprengelia
incarnata was seen. Insects were very scarce, doubtless owing
to the early period of the season.
The following ladies and gentlemen were elected members of the
Club:—Miss Millne, Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Wm. Bage, Messrs. W.
Bage, Joseph Bryant, and E. H. Hennell.
Papers for future meetings were promised by Hon. Dr. Dobson,
F..L.S., Messrs. O. A. Sayce, A. W. Coles, H. T. Tisdall, F.L.S.,
and H. Watts.
66 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST
Papers read:—1. By Mr. H. Watts, on ‘Staining vegetable
tissues for the microscope.” The writer exhibited an enlarged
drawing of a stained section, and described his experience in double
staining. .
2. she hon. secretary read a paper by the Rey. Dr. Woolls,
F.L.S., entitled “Sanitary Properties of Eucalypts.” The writer
recommended eight species of Eucalypts which were likely to prove
useful, where on account of climatic or geologic circumstances, LH.
globulus could not be grown.
3. The Rev. A. W. Cresswell read a paper by Mr. A. W~-
Howitt, F G.S., entitled ‘ Notes on a basalt-vitrophyr from River
Tanjil valley, Gippsland.” This was shown to be a glassy basalt
from a yolcanie formation, which had flowed ever the bed of an
~ ancient river, altering the gravel comprising the bed into a solid
quartzoze rock, locally termed ‘cement ” Specimens of the rocks.
were exhibited and also sections under the microscope.
4. By Mr. F. Reader, “ Notes on some hitherto unrecorded
Victorian fungi,” being a description of several species new to
Victoria, collected by the writer in Studley Park, and elsewhere near
Melbourne.
Baron F. von Mueller, K.C.M.G., F.R.S., forwarded as also
applying to this colony an extract from the ‘‘ Gardener’s Chronicle”
in which attention was called to the wholesale destruction of native
plants in England, and recommending botanists, and members of
field clubs to discountenance wholesale sales of native plants, and
the removal of rare plants for cultivation without special objects.
Mr. C. A. Topp, M.A., read a note on a curious growth of
fungi found by Mr. Tisdall in the Long Tunnel Mine, Walhalla,
800 feet below the surface.
The following were the principal exhibits of the evening:—By
Rey. W. M. Alexander, 122 specimens of woods; by Mr. F. G. A.
Barnard, native orchids in bloom, Pterostyl’s curta, P. nana, P,
nutans, and P. pedunculata; also branches of native shrub
Myoporum insulare, all grown by the exhibitor; by Miss F. M.
Campbell, 100 species of Australian lichens; by Mr. A. Coles, two.
pheasants from Samoa, woodcock, and Canadian quail; by Mr. J.
i. Dixon, 1are Victorian beetle, Natal’s ttana, also mason wasp,
and nest; by Mr. C. French, F.L.8., lepidoptera from Sumatra, the
rare beetle, Neolamprina Auelleri, from North Queensland, also
specimens of a destructive Australian moth Agrot?s vastator, the
larve of which feed on the roots of cereals; by Master C. French,
album of dried orchids, genus Pterostylis; by Mr. J. T. Gillespie,
twenty-six species of Victorian birds eggs; by Master Hill, orehid
Prasophyllum elatum; by Mr, H. Hunt, a fan-tailed euckoo,
Cacomantis flabelliformis, (alive); by Mr. A. W. Howitt, F.G.S.,
hand specimeas and sections for the microscope, of the rocks im
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 67
illustration of his paper; by Mr. H. Kennon, volcanic specimens
from Mt. Noorat, also fossil shells from clay marl at lakes Bullen-
merri and Gnotuk, Western District; by Master Lawrence, minerals;
by Mr. D. Le Souef, mummy head of Egyptian Queen from Thebes,
about 4000 years old; by Mr. T. A. Forbes-Leith, a parrakeet,
Cyclopsittacus suavissimus from New Guinea, being the smallest
‘Species but one known; by Mr. A. H.S. Lucas, M.A., lizard Egernia
fom near Saltwater River; by Mr. J. H. McKibbon, orchids
in bloom, Diuris longifolia, Pterostylis nana, etc.; by Mr. F. Reader,
fungi in illustration of his paper; by Mrs. Jno. Simson, cocoons.
etc., of moth, apparently gregarious in its habits, on meyall branches
from Deniliquin, N.S.W., also native cucumbers.
After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated.
NOTES ON A BASALT-VITROPHYR AT TANJIL.
By A. W. Howann,.'l).G-.S.
Cd
I am indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Graham, the mining manager
of the “Tanjil Deep Leads Goid Mining Company 3 for the
samples described in these notes. According to the information
which he favoured me with, the No. 2 shaft of the mine was sunk
through a vyoleanic flow, which had covered and preserved from
erosion part of the course of a former river, of which perhaps the
Tanjil is the modern representative.*
In sinking the shaft, a tree trunk was found standing erect and
enclosed in the rock from which the samples Nos. 1 and 2 were
taken. Mr. Graham states that “it rested in a ollow in the clay,
but without any sign of tap root, and the remaining branches and
roots had a charred appearance.” At 82 feet depth, cemented
gravel was found, which is locally known as “ cement” or “ pudding
stone,” this was two feet thick, and it rested upon a few inches of
water-worn gravel. Below this was the bed rock, probably of Upper
Silurian age.
The sample of the rock through which the shaft was sunk, is a
mixture of volcanic glass and fragments of crystalline rock. The
glassy material which was very abundant in some samples, I found
to be throughout greatly altered and decomposed, so that I had
much difficulty in extracting sufficient material in an unaltered
condition for analysis and examination. he alteration products
are mostly carbonates of iron, manganese, lime and magnesia, which
*I may refer the reader to particulars as to the Tanjil district given by
Mr. Reginald A. F. Murray, in his valuable memoir on the “* geology and
mineral resources of South Western Gippsland.” Progress Report of the
Geolegical Survey of Victoria, part III, page 135.
68 THE VICTORIAN, NATURALIST.
fill in cavities or cluster along the fissures of the rockin botryoidal
or mammullated groups.
The included fragments of crystalline rock vary from an almost
compact to a vesicular texture, and in color from dark lead tint to
almost black.
I examined three samples. The unaltered glass, one of the in-
cluded fragments of rock, and the “cement.” ‘he following are the
results of the examination :—
1. Volcanic glass,—It has a black color and a glassy lustre, with
a peculiar wrinkled appearance on a fracture surface. A thin slice
examined under the microscope proved to be in greater part a yellow
isotropic glass, containing but few products of devitrification. In it
are (@) very numerous, small, lath-like crystals of a triclinie felspar.
Many of the crystals are imperfectly terminated, or the component
plates are not of the same length. I could not obtain any reliable
optical measurements, but the inclination of the plane of vibration is
large, and suggests labradorite. (6.) Colorless angular grains or
clusters of grains, which polarize in bright tints of green and red.
Some few bear resemblance to colorless pyroxene, but I believe that
all are olivine. Two groups showed traces of a rhombic prism, with —
angles very near those of olivine. The roughened surface appear-
ance of the grains, the occasional occurrence of minute included
octahedra of magnetite, and the decomposition of similar grains im:
another slice by hydrochloric acid confirm the conclusion. (c.)
Magnetite, or perhaps titaniferous magnetite, occurs rarely. (d.)
Finally, there are a few instances of alteration products which are
most likely carbonate of iron, lime, &e.
In order to learn more as to the character of this rock, I made a
quantitative chemical analysis, of which the subjoined are the results :—
P: O; wed Fe O 732 Naz O 3°30
Ti O5 tr. Mn O tik Hig tO ‘79
Si Og ‘HIS Ca O 8-74
Al, O3 18:03 Me O 560 100-18
Moisture -70 Sp. Sts: | 26
The microscopical examination shows that this rock is essentially
glassy, and that it includes porphyritically crystals of olivine, plagio-
clase, and magnetite. These data, as also the quantitative analysis,
agree best with a rock of the composition of tachylite, with which
also the specific gravity falls in well.*
*Zirkel, Lehrbuch der Petrographie, p 304. I refer to the analysis by
Gmelin of the Tachylite of Bobenhausen.
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 69
The term Tachylite has been used by Zirkel for a glassy modifica-
tion of Basalt.* Rosenbusch restricts it to those “more or less
easily decomposable basie hyaline rocixs which would have produced
a Basalt had erystalline consolidation taken place.” More lately
he has suggested that it will be well to use the word Vitrophyr for
all voleanic rocks, which are mainly or wholly composed of glassy
material. There would therefore be a Basalt-Vitrophyr and the
name Tachylite might be added as indicating that sub-division to
which the rocks, which are readily decomposed by Hydrochloric Acid,
belong.
The sample which I have examined has the composition and
structure of a hyaline example of Basalt, and according to the rules
indicated by Rosenbusch, it can be deseribed as a Basalt-Vitrophyr
of the Tachylite sub-division.
2. Crystalline rock. This sample formed part of a rock fragment
embedded in the Tachylite. I prepared a thin slice which | found
to have many resemblances to that last described. The ground
mass 1s composed of much dark-colored glass, which is made still
more opaque by a great amount of black dust-like particles
(magnetite?) In this are many lath-shaped compound triclinic
felspars and some irregular grains and clusters of grains of Olivine,
and a few rare grains which may perhaps be a light-colored Augite.
The vescicles of the rock are filled in with carbonates. Optical
measurements which I obtained in some of the felspars gaye me
results which, although not very satisfactory, allow it to be said that
in the zone oP (001) — 0 Pa (100) the inclination of the angles
of obscuration lie between 7° 30! and 33° 80!. One section which
was near to the Brachypinacoid gave an angle of 39° 30!.
Such angles as these suggest a basic felspar Labradorite or
Bytownite series, but the angles taken as a whole do not agree
with those of either one or the other, as given for instance in the
researches of Schuster on the optical properties of the Plagioclastie
felspars.
This rock may be considered as being a fine grained somewhat
vesicular Basalt, with a large amount of glass in its ground mass.
3. Cement. This sample was taken from part of the “ cement?
already spoken of. I found in examining a thin slice that it is
composed of quartz sand, with a few larger fragments of what seems
like vein quartz, and some black flecks which may be probably
carbonaceous material. It has evidently been part of the river
drift upon which it was found resting, and may have been altered to
its present condition, at the time when the flow of Basaltic lava
sealed up the course of the ancient river.
To sum up the preceding statements so far as relates to the
Weeanie rock, through which the shaft of the Tanjil Deep Lead
70 YHE VICLORIAN NATURALIST
Mine was sunk, I may say that it is a Basalt-Vitrophyr of the sub-
division Tachylite, with included fragments of more crystalline lavas
of the Basalt group.
*Zirkel, Mikroscopische Beschaffenheit der Mineralienund Gosteine,
p. 484. ~ ; ;
+Rosenbusch, Mikroskopische Physiographie der petrographisch
wichtigen Mineralien p. 137. : ;
tRosenbusch, Mikroskopische Physiographie der massigen Gesteine,
p. 445.
GEOLOGICAL SKETCH OF SOUTH-WESTERN
VICTORIA.
By Joun Dennant,
INTRODUCTION.
Tus following outline of the geology of the south-western portion
of Victoria, is the result of observations made while travelling
through it for business purposes on various occasions.
The region described lies between these boundaries :—West, the
South Australian border ; East, Norton’s Creek, Serra Range, and
a line drawn from Mount Abrupt to the Eumeralla mouth ; South,
the coast line; and North, the Mallee fringe.
A few preliminary notes are made on its physical geography.
The only mountain ranges are on the East, forming a part of the
Grampians, and divided into the Dundas, Victoria, Serra, and Black
ranges. A great number of volcanic hills of low elevation are found
in the South, the principal being Napier, Rouse, Eccles, Clay, and
Kckersley.
The river Glenelg rises on the western slopes of the Serra, and
runs northwards and westwards between the Victoria and Black
ranges, thence on past Balmoral and Harrow, when it bends to the
South, and finally, after an exceedingly tortuous course, flows into
the Southern Ocean, near the South Australian boundary. The
scenery along its banks is of the most varied character, every
geological formation in the district being cut through by it on its
way to the sea.
Rising in sandstone country, it passes through granite at Harrow
and Dergholm, slates at Roseneath, mesozoic strata at Casterton,
pleistocene shell deposits at Pieracle, and miocene limestone at its
mouth. The Wannon, whick rises in the same range, but on the
opposite or eastern slope, flows South and West around Mounts
Abrupt, Sturgeon, and Victoria, past Dunkeld and Cavendish, and
on through rolling downs of extreme fertility to its junction with the
Glenelg at Sandford. The other principal tributaries of the
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 71
Glenelg are the Chetwynd, Wando, Stokes, and Crawford, all enter-
ing on its left bank, the country on its right furnishing no stream
of any importance. The Surrey, Fitzroy, and Eumeralla, are small
rivers, unconnected with this main drainage area, flowing directly
into the ocean on the eastern side of Portland Bay.
In the region lying between the Glenelg and the Mallee Scrub, no
river or even creek of any but the most insignificant size is found,
as the country is almost a dead level, the slight slope which exists
being towards the Murray. Here, however, are a number of small
lakes, generally brackish, often full in winter, but sometimes for
years together, perfectly dry. The principal are the White Lake,
Boorropki, Wallace, and Mitre Lakes.
The whole district is a deeply interesting one, comprehending as it
does so many formations, ranging from pleistocene to silurian, with
their accompanying intrusive and metamorphic rocks.
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‘Vou. kr No. 7. NovemBer 1885.
THE
ictorian Waturalist:
Ca hb etd
ret (if / fry
THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE
OF THE
Field Naturalists’ Club of Victor
ia
The Author of each article is responsible for the facts and
opinions he records.
IN “aE oS
Proceedings of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria
On the Sanitary Properties of Eucalypts. By Ruv. W.
Woouts, Ph.D., F.L.8. bes Saag
To Wilson’s Promontory Overland. By J. B. Grecory,
LL.M., and A. H. 8. Lucas, M.A. (Part 3.)
Notes on the Habits of Native Birds. Part 1, Crows. By
J. Barry. 4
CorrESPONDENCE
ERRATA
PRICH —SIXPENCH
—_————.
South Melbourne ;
J. C. MITCHELL, PRINTER, CLARENDON ST.
1885.
sal
Meld Matwalists’ Clab of ieto
aS
OFFICH-BEARERS 1885-86.
S4
Wresident :
Rev. J. 0: Han Ys
Pice-Presivents :
Mr, T. A, FORBES-LEITH | Mz. A. H. 8. LUCAS, M.A-
Won. Treasurer : Bon. Librarian:
Mr. E. BAGE. | Mx. ©. FRENCH, F.L.S.
Hon. Secretary: Asst, Hon. Secretary:
Mr. F. G. A. BARNARD, Mr. G. COGHILL.
Kew.
Committee :
Mrs. DOBSON, | Mx, J. H. GATLIFF.
, J. SIMSON, 50 (GYR. Bae ial
Mr. D. BEST. » D. LeSOUEF.
Mi CAs. TO eae MAG
Tuis CLUB was founded in 1880 for the purpose of affording observers
and lovers of Natural History regular and frequent opportunities for
discussing those special subjects in which they are mutually interested ;
for the Exhibition of Specimens ; and for promoting Observations in tie
Field by meaus of Excursions to various collecting grounds around the
Metropolis.
No Entrance Fee, Annual Subscription, including copy of proceedings
15s., dating from May Ist.
The Ordinary Meetings for the reading of papers, and exhibition of
specimens, with a short conversazione, are held on the second Monday in
each month at the Royal Society’s Hall. Victoria Street, Melbourne, at
8 p.m.
The proceedings of the Club are recorded inits journal—the “ Victorian
Naturalist.” Annual Subscription, 6s. 6d.. post free (to members free)-
The first Volume, comprising sixteen numbers, with title page and index,
just completed. Price—Seven Shillings and Sixpence (post free).
Copies of the Annual Report and List of Members for 1384-5, with
Rules, eté., can be obtained on application to the Hon. Sec.
ae THE :
Dictarian BMaturalizst:
Vor Il, No: 7. NOVEMBER 1885. No. 23
THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.
Tue monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society’s:
Hall, on Monday evening, 12th October, 1585.
Mr. A. H. 8. Lucas, M.A., vice-president, occupied the chair,
and about ninety-five members and visitors were present.
The hon. secretary reported that two excursions had taken place
s'nce the last meeting. The excursion to Cheltenham on 24th
September, was attended by about twenty members, who had a most
enjoyable outing. Among other plants noted was a fine patch of
the orchid, Lyperanthus nigricans, in bloom. A fine specimen of
the blue-tongued lizard, Cyclodus gigas, was captured. The
excursion to Ringwood on the the 10th inst., was poorly attended
owing to the threatening weather, and had to be soon abandoned on
account of heavy rain setting in. However fine specimens of the
bladder-wort, Utricularia dichotoma, and also of an allied plant,
Polypompholyx tenella, were secured, and the occurrence of the
orchid, Caladenia suaveolens, was noted.
The following gentlemen were elected members of the Club:—
Messrs A. C. Curlewis, W. M. Gamble, and J. Pickering.
Mr. E. D. Atkinson, C.E., Table Cape, Tasmania, was elected.
an hororary member.
Papers read:—By Mr. O. A. Sayee, ‘‘ Remarks on Victorian gall—
making Coccide.” The author gave the results of his observations
on the life histories of several species of scale-insects, belonging to-
_ the order Homoptera, which cause the numerous galls found on the
young Eucalyptus trees. His remarks were well illustrated by
drawings, and by slides for examination under the microscope.
The exhibits of the evening consisted for the most part of wild
flowers; a detailed description of which is given below.
_ After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated...
82 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
EXHIBITION OF WILD FLOWERS.
Tne last annual report of the Field Naturalists’ Club contained a
paragraph suggesting the holding of an exhibition of wild flowers.
Accordingly in response to the request of the committee exhibits of
wild flowers was made the special feature of the last meeting of the
Club. About 150 species of wild plants in bloom were shown. The
exhibits were arranged in the ordinary show stands, and in most
cases had their botanizal names, together with those of the natural
orders attached. The number of exhibits and exhibitors was hardly
so large as might have been expected, but this was, to a great
extent, attributable to the weather, the two previous days having
been so wet and boisterous as to render field work most unpleasant
even to the greatest enthusiast. The attendance of members and
visitors was very good, and bearing in mind the great difficulty
experienced in keeping our native flowers fresh when cut, the
exhibition may be considered a great success, and should induce the
committee to set apart, during next season, an evening specially for
the wild-flower exhibition. With a little effort on the part of the
members to obtain flowers from distant parts of the colony,
the evening may be made one of the most interesting and instructive
gatherings of the Club.
One of the most noticeable exhibits was that of Mr. G. Coghill,
who showed about eighty-five varieties of native flowers from
Donald, Box Hull, Dandenong Ranges, ete., among which were
Grevilleas, Swainsonias, etc., and about twenty-five species of orchids
including Chiloglottis Gunn, Caladenia suaveolens, Pterostylis
mutica, etc. Mr. C. French, F.L.8., showed about sixty species
from Caulfield, etc., among which were fine specimens of the
orchids Lyperanthus nigricans, Prasophyllum elatum, ete. Mr. F.,
G. A. Barnard, exhibited about fifty species from Doncaster,
Ringwood, and Caulfield, including the bladder-wort, Utricularia
dichotoma, and the orchids Calochilus campestris, Pterostylis barbata,
P. pedunculata; also the following growing Victorian ferns, Adzantum
ethiopicum, Lomaria fluriatilis, L. lanceolata, Woodwardia caudata
and Aspidiwm Capense. Mr. J. E. Dixon, exhibited about twelve
species of orchids in pots, including Caladenia latifolia, C. Menziest
and Péterostylis cucullata. Mr. J. McKibbon, orchid Lyperanthus
nigricans, grown by exhibitor, Smaller but interesting exhibits.
were shown by Miss Campbell, Miss Halley, Messrs Bage, Best,
Hill, Topp, and Watts. Mr. T. A. Forbes-Leith exhibitel a
collection of dried ferns from Mt. Blackwood; Mrs. J. Simson, cut
flowers of the Waratah (Zelopea speciosissima), from New South
Wales; Dr. Lucas, a fern Menisciwm triphyllum, new to Australia,
from Queensland; Mr. C. Jesse, water-colour drawings of native
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 83
flowers; Mr. H. Watts, rare marine alge from Port Phillip and
Western Port Bays, dredged by Mr. J. Bracebridge Wilson.
The following list of the principal flowers exhibited, is arranged
according to Baron F. von Mueller’s Census of Australian plants:—
NATURAL ORDER.
Ranunculacese
Dilleniaceze
Violaceze
Pittosporeze
Droseracese
Polygales
Tremandres
Rutaceze
EKuphorbiacez
Casuarines
Stackhousieze
Amarantaces
Ficoides
Leguminose
Myrtacez
Rhamnacee
Loranthacez
Proteaceze
Thymelez
Composite
Campanulacez
Candolleacese
Goodeniaces
Solanacez
Scrophularine
Lentibularine
GENUS AND SPECIES.
Clematis aristata.
HMibbertia densiflora, H. fasciculata, H. stricta.
Viola betonicifolia, V. hederacea.
Billardiera scandens.
Drosera auriculata, D. peltata, D. Menzvesii,
D. Whittakerti, D. glanduligera.
Comesperma ericinum, C. volubile.
Tetratheca ciliata.
Correa speciosa.
Ricinocarpus pinifolius; Amperea spartiordes.
Casuarina distyla (male flowering branch.)
Stackhousia linarifolia.
Prtilotus spathulatus.
Mesembrianthemum aquilaterale.
Daviesia corymbosa; D. latifolia; D. ulicina.
Aotus villosa. Pultenea paleacea; P. obcordata ?
Dillwynia cinerascens. Platylobium obtusangulum.
Bossiwa cinerea. Goodia lotifolia. Swainsonia
procumbens; S. sp. Kennedya prostrata; K.
monophylla. Indigofera Australis. Acacia suave-
olens; A. verticillata.
Leptospermum levigatum; L. myrsinoides. Mela-
leuca ericifolia. Hucalyptus sp.
Cryptandra parvifolia.
Loranthus sp.
Isopogon asper. Grevillea alpina; G. ericifolia.
Banksia marginata.
Pimelea octophylla; P. curviflora; P. humilis ;
P. phylicoides ; P. axiflora.
Brachycome cardiocarpa, Aster pannosus; A.
stellulatus. Leptorrhynchus squamatus. Helipterum
Cotula. Helichrysum scorpioides ; H. apiculatum.
Microseris Forstert. Craspedia Richea. Senecio
sp.
Wahlenbergia gracilis.
Candollea graminifolia.
Brunonia australis. Goodenia geniculata.
Solanum aviculare. Nicotiana suaveolens.
Euphrasia Brownz.
Utricularia dichotoma. Polypompholyx tenella
BA THE, VICTORIAN. NATURALIST
‘ Asperifolize Cynoglossum suaveolens.
Myoporinze Myoporum serratum, eae “y
‘Epacride Styphelia virgata; S, Riche. -Epacris impressa;
E. obtusifolia, th
Orchidez Thelymitra ixioides; T. aristata; T. longifolia;
T. carnea; T. flexusa; T. antennifera:. Diuris
palustris; D. maculata; D. pedunculata; D.
sulphurea; D. longfolia. Calochilus campestris.
Prasophyllum flavum; P. elatum; P. fuscum; P.
species. Microtis atrata. Pterostylis curta; P.
nutans; P. pedunculata; P. cucullata; P. barbata;
wae mutica; P. longifolia. Lyperanthus nigricans.
Rola dens Menziesii; C. Patersoni (two varieties);
C. latifolia; C. suaveolens; C. carnea (three
varieties). Chiloglottis Gunmii. Glossodia major.
Liliacez Burchardia umbellata. Dianella longzfolza.
Bulbine bulbosa. Chamescilla corymbosa.
Arthropodium strictum. Xerotes Thumbergit.
Aanthorrhea minor.
Restiaceze Calostrophus fastigzatus.
ON THE SANITARY PROPERTIES OF EUCALYPTS.
By Rey. W. Wooutts, Ph.D., F.L.8., Hon. Mempur F.N.C.
Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, Sept. 14th, 1885
From careful observations which have been made for some years
past, it has been found that some species of our Kucalypts have
wonderful powers of absorption, and that H. Globulus, in particular,
. has the property of mitigating the influences of malaria, A writer
in an English periodical gives it as his opinion that a large Eucalypt
will dispose of a yast amount of house sewage, and thus. prevent the
development of typhoid fever and other diseases which are supposed
_ to arise from imperfection of drainage and impurity of atmosphere.
The same writer, however, adds by way of caution, that such trees
should be kept far away from good wells, ‘“ as the insatiable thirst
of these vegetable monsters (Eucalypts)” has ja tendency to dry up
the sources of supply. He mentions as a fact that the owner of
Bay Island Farm, Alameda County, recently found a curious root
formation of an Eucalypt in the bottom of his well, about sixteen
feet below the,surface, though the tree to which the roots belonged
stood fifty feet from the well. This he regarded as an excellent
illustration of the way in which an Eucalypt absorbs moisture, “ its
roots going so far as to find water, pushing \themselves through @
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 85
brick wall, and then developing enormously after the water is
reached,”
E. globulus is the species referred to by European and American
writers, as being the best-known and most highly-appreciated of the
genus ; but as that species, though suitable for some climates and
surpassing many species in the rapidity of its growth, does not
extend beyond the south part of New South Wales, nor when
planted in the neighbourhood of Sydney does it appear to flourish
and attain longevity, it is well to bearin mind that besides LE.
Globulus there are other Eucalypts, which occur naturally in a more
northerly latitude and under different climatic and geologic circum-
stances, and that these species, while possessing properties very
similar to those of E. Globulus, may thrive where that species does
not. The species to which I would refer, as calculated to promote
in a greater or less degree the advantages resulting from the planting
of Eucalyptus-forests in marshy and unhealthy places, are the
following :—
1. E. robusta, or “ the Swamp Mahogany,” a fine tree rising to
100 feet or more with a proportionate girth. This tree has larger
fruit and flowers than most of the Eastern species, and the leaves
are broad and long, especially when growing in wet or damp localities.
In the early days of the colony, this was one of the first Eucalypts.
which attracted the notice of botanical collectors, and though the
larger trees have long since succumbed to the woodmen, fair
specimens of it may be seen in the neighbourhood of Sydney and
Parramatta, and here and there on the low lands near the Hawkes-
bury. Independently of its useful properties, it is one of our finest
Hucalypts, and its foliage may be regarded as umbrageous.
2. H. largiflorens, “the Bastard Box,” or ““Swamp Gum.” It
occurs for the most part in marshy places, has a profusion of flowers
in the season, and whilst the younger trees resemble the common
Box, E. hemiphloia, the large oues approach some forms of the
Grey Gum, EL. tereticornis but they may easily be distinguished by
the enclosed valves of the fruit and the very divergent veins of the
leaves. Baron F. von Mueller connects this tree with the Stunted
Box of the interior. The typical species attains considerable size,,
and the wood when dry is hard and tough.
3. EH. longifolia, known as ‘‘ Woolly Butt,’ which has the
flowers usually in threes, and the fruits larger than most of those
belonging to the Eastern species. The bark is persistent (although
sometimes it falls off from old trees,) and the leaves when growing
near water are frequently a foot in length and contain a great deal
of volatile oil.
4. KE. saligna, “ Flooded or Blue Gum,” one of the Gums first:
described from Port Jackson (1795.) This is a smooth barked and
ine tree, occurring generally in gullies or the mountains, or on the
86 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST
banks of rivers or creeks, rapid in growth, and like the preceding
attaining a height of 100 feet or more, but differing from it in grow—
ing almost exclusively near water.
5. H. radiata, a variety of H. amygdalina (F. v. M.,) called ‘River
White Gum.” This is a tree of moderate size, found only on the
banks of rivers or creeks, having the bark depending in long strips
from the upper branches, and the leaves frequently opposite. The
wood is soft. . amygdalina is the ‘*‘ Messmate” of the Southern
Ranges and attains gigantic proportions, but H.7adzata seldom rises
above forty or fifty feet, and flowers even in a shrubby state.
6. H. Gunnit, “the Swamp Gum Tree” of some districts which
does not attain the large size in N.S. Wales as in Victoria, and
prefers in the former colony the sides of moist ranges where it
flourishes at a considerable elevation above the sea. It is a species,
which being common to Tasmania and the Southern districts of
N.S. Wales, seems to require similar conditions to those of E.
globulus for its perfect development. °
7. E. polyanthema, the “ Poplar Leaved Box” or ‘“ Lignumvite,”
the latter name being derived from the hardness of its wood.
Though described as growing on dry ridges and hills, and rising
exceptionally 250 feet, it is found in N.S. Wales on creeks or moist
flats, and is comparatively a small tree and of slow growth.
8. E. rostrata, or “ River Gum,” the most widely distributed
Eucalypt in Australia. Baron Mueller regards this species as the
most important of the whole genus, not merely on account of its
therapeutic and economic properties, but because it is exceedingly
rapid of growth and admirably adapted for “ grounds with stagnant
humidity.” It is remarkable that H. rostrata does not occur on
the eastern side of the Dividing Range in N.S. Wales.
I have brought these Eucalypts under the notice of cultivators,
as the species appear well calculated for the purpose of counteracting
the baneful influences of malaria, and of flourishing under conditions
similar to those of H. Globulus ; whilst as some of them occur at
different elevations and in various geologic formations, they may
supply the place of that species in regions where experience shows
is is unsuited for the climate or soil. Of all the species in N.S.
Wales, none are so likely to succeed in moist or depressed localities
as those indicated, and it would be for the public benefit if the
Government were to try the experiment of planting them for forest
purposes. H, Globulus has acquired a world-wide reputation and
deservedly so, but the properties .of other species remain to be
developed, and to afford to medicine and the arts a means of
ameliorating the ills of humanity. Baron F’. yon Mueller has treated
nobly of the genus Eucalyptus, in his splendid work Hucalypto-
graphia, and whilst I would bear testimony to the accuracy of that
eminent botanist in his descriptions of species (so far as known to
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST &7
me,) I desire to recommend from personal observation those which
I think worthy of cultivation for sanitary objects.
TO WILSON’S PROMONTORY OVERLAND.
By J. B. Grecory, LL.M., ann A. H. 8. Lucas, M.A.
Part III.
WE may premise that in a walking tour of this kind, even with a
pack-horse, collecting is not quite so simple as it is on a Club ex-
cursion or when one is staying in the country at a hotel. In the
first case one can bring home all one’s findiags the same day. and
set them out the same evening, or at least see that they are placed
in a position of security and of convenience for final preservation.
In the second the hotel serves as head quarters to which all spoils
can be taken, and where they can be left while fresh sallies are being
made in the neighbouring country. In our case the difficulty was
enhanced. by the fact that except in the Promontory itself we were
not taking the route in going which we proposed to take on our
return. So a cache of specimens was, save in the Promontory
itself, impossible. As the horse had to carry tent, &c., and a fort-
night’s provisions (not the least weighty part thereof for himself) it
was not possible to load him with much collecting tackle. As the pro-
yisions diminished of course his ability to carry specimens increased.
Another difficulty in collecting was the necessity for forced marches.
Our distance had to be done, and done in a certain time. As we
tramped some 240 miles in one fortnight, with an average of 17
miles a day, and as the horse had to be led, it was impossible to
linger long in the way or to make any serious divergence from the
track. The country was not an easy one, and at the close of each
march fatigue prevented any great exertion to secure an object which
might haye to be hunted. We limited then our scientific objects to
these ; to see the bush in its native wildness, and the plants and
animals as they live in it, and to acquire possession of such speci-
mens as it might be convenient to capture, to carry, and tu pre-
serve.
The ground we traversed was a classic collecting ground. Some
thirty years ago Baron von Mueller worked up the plants of
Wilson’s Promontory and of the country between Stockyard Creek
and Griffith’s Point. Here, alone, for four days without food,
reduced one night to his last match wherewith to light a fire, while
the rain was drenching him, our pioneer readily faced the chances of
death by cold, exposure, and hunger, in order to add to science a .
knowledge of the Flora of these interesting districts.
$8 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
We passed through a variety of habitats each with its appropriate
Flora and Fauna. From Trafalgar to Foster we were in the Forest
Ranges ; from Foster to Yanakie, and again from Yanakie to the
Powlett River, we traversed heaths, scrubs, and swampy plains; the
Promontory consists of rugged granite uplands; between Tobin
Alloc and Tooradin we skirted the Koo-wee-rup Swamp ; and the
rest of our journey was through lightly timbered undulating country
of very moderate elevation.
In the Forests tree-ferns filled every gully, and added a charm to
every prospect. The mighty Eucalypts with their white trunks
towered all around us. Ever and anon as we wound along our ridge
track we skirted the head of some valley, which widening out below
gave us a view of the timbered heights around and beyond. In the
deeper gullies the creeping and climbing ferns formed green bowers
of tropical luxuriance without tropical discomfort, as cool as they
were lovely. It seemed a desecration to cut the fronds of the tree-
ferns in sheaves for our beds, but nature had provided enough and
tospare. We founda pretty creeper around the fern-trunks, Fieldia
australis, the only Victorian representative of the Gesneracew. It
was in fruit. The berries are as large as a cherry, pure white, and
with the rows of seeds visible beneath the epicarp. Mr. Robinson
called our attention to Sarcochilus parviflorus, a pretty and fragrant
epiphytic Orchid, which was in full flower. The plants were climb-
ing about dead twigs of probably the Musk Aster. The latter was
as usual abundant, and tilled the forest paths with a pleasant and
not overpowering aroma. Convolvulus marginatus and Billardiera
longiflora, the white corolla of the former tinted with purple, and the
lemon-coloured flower-bell of the latter tipped with violet wedges,
were also in bloom. Both purple and white varieties of Solanum
aviculare were abundant. Pittosporwm undulatum was in fruit ; we
only came across one shrub, but it was with much pleasure that we
saw this familiar garden shrub for the first time in its native haunts.
The paths we have mentioned between Mirboo and Foster as being
nearly knee-deep in mud were clad in places with green garments,
consisting chiefly of Polygonum Hydropiper and Isolepis setacea.
These were interesting, as being British species they recalled wet
woodland paths in the Old Country. At first also they deceived us,
for the green track in the distance seemed to promise firm ground ;
bat soon we grew to lament the too green vista as we waded some-
what wearily on.
Of animals we did not see many in this Forest land. An
injudicious Brown Snake crossed our path between the van and rear-
guard, and was scotched, and then killed. Towards evening the
little brown wallabies startled sprang to right or left into the depths
of the woods as we passed. The bears up aloft called our attention
by their grunting. Braces of black cockatoo cried to one another,
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 89
and now and again the piping of the lyre birds aroused our flagging
spirits as our day’s march drew to its close, but we never saw the
birds themselves. The tameness of the lizards was remarkable.~ A
rather large Hinulia on one occasion climbed shyly on to the knee of
one of us to obtain fragments of the lunch he was eating. It was
noticeable too, the ease with which they piloted a semi-aerial course
along the fronds and branches of Pteris incisa, &c.. We were not
“much troubled with the Leeches, and were warned by the presence
of the Wire-grass when to expect them. We observed very few
insects, among the Hill Butterfly, Hipparchia.
The heaths and swampy plains were characterised by the preval-
ence of the Xanthorrheas, the great and small Grass Lilies, Xyris
gracilis, Limnanthemum exaltatum, Prasophyllum sp., white and
blue-flowered forms of Dianella revoluta, large patches of the Coral
Fern, Aibbertia angustifolia, large-flowered specimens of Utricularia
dichotoma, were the most conspicuous of the swamp flora. Sprengelia
incarnata and Hpacris microphylla occupied dry knolls, and the low
ridges which separated the creeks near Foster. Here. too, we found
Helichrysum Baxteri, which Baron yon Mueller informs us, has not
been found so far South before. It was plentiful. An entomologist
would find the country between Foster and Yanakie Station
peculiarly rich in Lepidoptera. From Yanakie fences to the Tarwin
settlement our surroundings were desolate. Yet even here we found
objects of interest. Every few hundred yards we startled a Grass
Parrakeet, and were glad to see this rare game bird in such
abundance. Big black wallaby, (H. walabutus), dashed off into the
scrub, leaping for their lives, as we disturbed their lair. In the
loneliest part of our walk, near the Bald Hitls of the Hoddle Range,
a pair of Dingoes came in sight. They also sighted us, lifted their
heads and sniffed. Apparently they sniffed danger, for they speedily
turned tail and bounded off, retaining, however, a certain amount of
dignity in their movements. A whip-snake here met with his fate.
But on the whole, snakes were very shy of us, and snakes do not
constitute a very serious element of danger in camping-out excursions.
Among the sands between Yanakie and the shore we found
colonies of marine, and also of fresh-water, shells, all of recent
species. They were perhaps merely drift shells from the sea and
_ from the marshes surrounding Shallow Inlet respectively. But one
could not help speculating on a former occupation of the now sand-
deluged station by the sea, and by stagnant pools. The shells
occurred far inland.
Both limestone and coal appear along the south coast of the
mainland and the west coast of the Promontory. Mr. Cresswell, in
his paper on the ‘‘ Geology of Griffith’s Point and Kilcunda,”
mentioned the) out-crop of, coal-seams on the shore between those
_ places. We came across a seam of poor lignite not far from the
90 THE VICTORIAN NATURALI5T
point, at which we strack the sands first. The coal here is of course
valueless, but the limestone of Waratah Bay is largely worked for
lime. Mr. Miller, the manager of the Yanakie Station, is on the
keen look out to develop the resources of this unpromising district,
whether limestone, or gold which he has detected in the Hoddle.
NOTES ON THE HABITS OF NATIVE BIRDS.
By I. Batzy, Sunsury.
Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club af Victoria, 10th Aug., 1885
Part I., Crows.
Tue Carrion Crow is a bird too well known to everybody to require
any description of his outward garb now. He is held in utter
detestation by most persons, but his congeners—the rayens—were
illustrious enough to figure in Holy Writ, besides they were sacred
to the god Odin or Woden of Scandinavian mythology. Being con-
nected with a noble family is of just as much use to him, as our rich
friends at home are to us out here. Dame Nature has turned Mr-
Crow out of her universal workshop to act as “ scavenger-general ”
to the world, and to make him a thoroughly effective agent she made
him a gregarious bird. This is an extremely wise provision, for it
means unity and co-operation, a combination productive of the
largest amount of work in the shortest space of time. With the
exception of the white cockatoo, the crow is the most cunning bird
with which I am acquainted. He rapidly becomes alive to a sense
of danger if persecuted with the gun or poison. With regard to the
variation of colour in the iris of the eye, which in some birds is
white and others black, I am of opinion that this is due to age, as
in all the young birds just out of the nest which I have examined,
not one had white eyes. Magpies, when young, have brownish or
black eyes, which after a certain period change to a rich coppery--
red.
The creed of the crow is ‘‘increase and multiply.” In the per—
petuation of his kind, he has a strongly-defined sense of the emotion
of love. He marries wholesale, and could statistics be taken it
would be found that but a very small percentage of these birds faik
to enter the connubial state in the breeding season.
Instead of contracting his means of subsistence, settlement has
greatly enlarged it. It must not be supposed that because he
devours carrion he subsists on that alone. His dietary scale
commands a far wider range. About the creeks here, a thorny bush
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 9}
(Aymenanthera Banksii) grows, which bears a profusion of juicy
bluish-coloured berries on which the crows feast largely. They have
also discovered the object of vineyards, and have developed a strong
liking for grapes. It is astonishing how they will persevere im
their attempts to steal this fruit. If permitted to exercise their own
wills, they are great vandals, destroying more than they eat.
Cunning, as they unquestionably are, they have yet to learn that
when raiding on your grapes silence is golden. When swooping
down for a dessert of Hermitage or Reisling, some of the crowd are
bound to utter the well known ‘“‘caw caw.” Grasshoppers are
greatly relished by these birds, and when abundant form the main
staple of their diet. It is very interesting to watch how the birds
scour the country where those insects are plentiful, setting about
their work in a methodical way by spreading over a large tract and
apparently sweeping all before them. They are large consumers of
worms, caterpillars, grubs, beetles and other insects. In short
nothing of the kind I have mentioned comes amiss to them. As a
bird, there is little to admire about a crow, but as a useful scaven ger
he deserves to be respected.
I regard him as both cowardly and cruel. Anyone who has seen
a crow hanging on to the tail of a poor weak motherless lamb, will,
I think, endorse this opinion. From what I have witnessed, he
seems to lack the courage to kill the lamb outright, and evinces a
fiendish delight in tormenting the unfortunate creature. Just observe
~ him should the lamb break from his hold, see his heartless look,
listen to the horrible mecking “caw” he gives. I used to fancy
when I saw a crow at such mischief that the interpretation of that
peculiar “caw” was, “I will pull out your eyes yet.” To the
uninitiated this ‘‘ caw” might be thought to be the ordinary voice of
the bird, but an ear that is educated to what I shall unhesitatingly
term bird language, could tell the true meaning in the altered
modulation of the bird’s utterance.
Though many may laugh at me as theoretical, I maintain: that
the ‘caw caw” of a crow can convey according to the manner in
which it is uttered a great variety of meanings, as for example, joy,
alarm, love, fear, agony, mockery. &c. This rule applies to all
birds that have a voice.
The nervous organisation of the crow I consider more sensitive
and acute than that of most birds. When struck by shot it frequently
gives a screeching caw, proving that it is extremely suspectible of pain.
When winged it makes strenuous efforts to escape, but when finally
cornered accepts its fate with stoical indifference, blended with a
certain amount of fight.
Speaking of this reminds me that in many birds the eye is the:
medium by which “ the agony of terror” is expressed. Some twenty-
years ago, on the Old Man Plain, Riverina, I broke a teal’s wing.
99 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
It fell on dry land, and as these birds are exceedingly clever in
hiding themselves when wounded, if your attention is withdrawn
from them for a moment, I at once dashed in pursuit. ‘The poor
creature tried hard to elude me, but when it found its efforts useless
the look of mute agonised terror it turned upon me, made me feel
actually ashamed of myself.
(To be continued.)
CORRESPONDENCE.
MIXTURE FOR PRESERVING BIRD AND ANIMAL
SKINS.
(To the Editor of the “ Victorian Naturalist.” )
Sir,—As I have frequently been asked by members of the F.N.C.
for the recipe of a good mixture to preserve Bird and Animal Skins,
I give the ingredients below of the one believed to be the best known
in Britain; and hope you may find space for it in your journal.
Argenic - - 6 ounces.
Corrosive Sublimate = 3 ounces.
Yellow Soap = - - 2 ounces.
Camphor - - 1 ounce.
Spirits of Wine - - 4 a pint.
Place the above in a saucepan, and put the latter on a slow fire,
stirring it quickly until all the ingredients are dissolved, and form
one mass; after which it can be poured into a tin canister that has
a top, or into a wide-mouthed bottle ; when cool it is ready for use.
I an,
Sir, &c.,
T. Aveustus Forses-LEIT#H,
30th Sept., 1885, F.N.C.
ERRATA.
P. 69, 1. 29—insert “ of the” after “felspar”’.
P. 69, last line—for “‘ Weannie” read “ yoleanic.”
H. MUMM & CO.,
CHAMPAGNE
Has the Largest Sale of any Champagne.
TOSSSSSOSCSCSSSCSCSCSIOSCSSOOOOS
SOLE AGENTS FOR VICTORIA—
ALEX. JOSKE & Ci
16 Little Collins Street East.
Wn. S. HUSBANDS,
MLNOHACTUBRING OPTICTAN
81 QUEEN STREET,
MELBOURNE,
(Established 1862),
ERISTOL, KNGLAWD, (Established 1762,
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Students Compound Achromatic Microscopes and
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The Improved Dumping Levels Ball Motion.
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Geological Sketch of South Western Victoria. (Part 12). By
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and lovers of Natural History regular and frequent opportunities for
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THE
PBictorian Maturalist:
Vou. II., No. 8. DECEMBER 1885. No. 24
THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA
‘Tue monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society’s
Hall, on Wednesday evening, 11th November, 1885.
The president, the Rey. J. J. Halley, occupied the chair, and
about sixty members and visitors were present.
The hon. librarian acknowledged the receipt of the following
donations to the library :—
“‘Prodromus of Zoology of Victoria,” Decade XI., from the
‘Government; “The Australasian Scientific Magazine,” No. 3, from
Mr. J. Stirling, F.L.S.; “ Proceedings of the Royal Society of
South Australia,” for 1884, from the Society.
The president read a descriptive account of the excursion to Lal
Lal on the 9th inst, and on the motion of Messrs Wing and Topp,
it was unanimously decided to forward a letter of thanks to the
Ballarat Field Club, for their hospitality on the occasion.
The following persons were elected members of the Club:—Miss ©
Lewellin, Dr. Cox, Messrs. J. A. Gibbs. R. W. Hooke, F. A. Keating,
Wm. Scott, and Masters A. and C. Yelland.
Papers read:—1. By Mr. A. W. Coles, “Notes of a Collector’s
Trip to North Queensland.” The writer gave an interesting account
of a recent collecting tour in tropical Queensland, principally in the
vicinity of Cardwell. The paper was well illustrated with specimens,
about 100 species of birds having been taken during the trip. “
2. Mr. C. A. Topp, M.A., read a paper by Mr. H. T. Tisdall,
F.L.S., Walhalla, “ Notes on the Fungi of Mt. Baw Baw,” part IT.
This portion dealt principally with the larger species of the genera
Polyporus, Mylitia, and Boletus, and fine specimens and drawings
of the different species were exhibited.
The following were the principal exhibits of the evening:—By
Mr. F. G, A. Barnard, a lizard from Lake Learmonth; by Mr. A.
94. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST
J. Campbell, six Queensland honey-eaters with nests and eggs, viz: —
the yellow honey-eater (Pélot’s flava), the uniform coloured honey-
eater (P. wnicolor), Lewin’s honey-eater (P, Lewini?), the fuscous.
honey-eater (P. fusca), the brown honey-eater (Stigmatops ocularis),.
and the blue-faced honey-eater (Hntomyza cyanotis), the nests and
eges of the two first mentioned being new to science; by Mr. J.
Perey Chirnside, specimens from the Geyser Basin, Sulphur
Mountain, etc., Yellowstone Park, U.S.A.; by Mr. A. W. Coles,
about fifty species of Queensland birds, native weapons, ete.; by-Mr.
J. KE. Dixon, orchid Chiloglottis Gunnii, in bloom; by Mr. C. French,
a large scorpion from Sumatra; by Master G. French, a rare orchid
Prerostylis reflewa, var. revoluta, from Oakleigh; by Mr. T. A. Forbes-
Leith, nests and eggs of the following birds, the white-shafted fan-
tail (Rhipedura albiscapa), the restless fly-catcher (Se’sura inquieta),
the red-capped robin (Petrotca goodenovi’), and the white-fronted
ephthianura (Hphthianura albifrons); by Rev. J. J. Halley, mounted
slides of diatoms, Arachnoidiscus Japonicu, A. heliopelta (arranged)
and Hupodiscus Rogersii; by Miss Halley, water-colour drawings of
thirteen orchids from the wild flower exhibition; by Mr. H. W-
Hunt, nests and eggs of Victorian birds; by Mr. H. Kennon,.
ammonites from Whitby, England; by Mr. D. Le Souéf, a rare
lizard from Wodonga, ancient greenstone tomahawk from New
Zealand, and granite polished by glacial action, from George Sound,
New Zealand; by Dr. T. P. Lucas, eggs of the larger Australian
birds, viz., Cassowary, Emu, Spotted Hmu, Tallegalla, Mallee Hen,
Megapode, Pelican, Albatross, and Native Companion; eggs of
Oyster-catcher and Terns, from Australia, South Pacific, and
Britain ; Australian Lepidoptera Lycenidw, Agoriste, Noctue, etc.,.
including several species of banana-feeding Ophideres from
Queensland; by Mr. J. E. Prince, a diatomoscope; by Mr. F. Reader,
fungi hitherto unrecorded for Victoria, Peziza Drummondi, Berk.,.
Lymenorhete tabacina, Sow., Guepinia pezizeformis, Berk., Ustilago
utriculosa, Tul., also plants from Studley Park, Typhacee to
Cyperacee; by Mr. Thie, asbestos from New South Wales, Tasmania,
and America, silver-ore from Silverton, N.S.W., and Victorian
sea-weeds; by Mr. H. T. Tisdall, fungi and drawings in illustration
of his papers.
After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated.
THE EXCURSION TO LAL LAL.
Tae ninth of November, 1885, will be a day long to be remembered
by such members of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, as
joined in the excursion to the Lal Lal and Moorabool falls. This.
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 95
locality had been selected at the last monthly meeting, in order that
the Ballarat Field Club might be invited to form a joint excursion,
with the view of bringing the Clubs into closer relationship. The
Ballarat folks not only readily agreed to the proposal, but also
asked the Melbourne visitors to consider themselves their guests for
the day.
A portion of the contingent had gone up to Ballarat on the
previous Friday and Saturday, and joined the local members at the
railway station of the Golden City, in time for the early morning
train at half-past six. After a little more than a half hour’s ride,
the train stopped at Lal Lal, and the whole party mustered on the
platform. Buggies were waiting for those ladies who considered
the three miles walk too much for the beginning of a day’s work, a
kind attention, however, that was not taken advantage of by any of
the ladies from the metropolis, who preferred on such a beautiful
morning walking over the green sward.
The hon. secretary and several others stayed at the station,
awaiting the arrival of the Melbourne train, which would bring up
those who could make only a single day’s holiday. Mr. F. M.
Krausé, hon. secretary 6f the Ballarat Field Club, and Professor of
Geology, Mineralogy, and Mining at the Ballarat School of Mines,
with Mr. A. Mica Smith, B.Sc., Professor of Chemistry, remained
with this party, and during the interval between the arrival of the
trains, took the opportunity of visiting the works of the Brown
Coal Company, and giving the visitors some account of the geology
of the lignite deposit, one of the thickest in the world, but
unfortunately not of much commercial value, also of the Iron
Company’s Works, some three miles distant on the Moorabool
River.
The other party followed the lead of Mr. Jas. Oddie, (president
B.#.C.) on a piebald pony, or rather that of a veritable Highland
piper, engaged for the day by Mr. Oddie, who soon filled his bags
and drew from his pipes such inspiriting marches, that the way seemed
short while following his ribbons gaily fluttering in the breeze. A
short detour was made for a view of the falls on the Lal Lal
“‘ dashing of waters” Creek, and then across the open country_a line
was made for the Moorabool, the examination of the creek being left
for a later period of the day. This walk, in the somewhat early
morning, was pleasant in the extreme, the views along the Moorabool
valley being extremely fine. The Eucalypts at this period of
the year putting out their young foliage, give a variety of colour
that redeems the landscape from the monotonous sameness that
characterises it at other seasons. Indeed, the reds and yellows
mingling with the greys and olives gave a variety as charming as
the autumn tints of northern lands. Well-fed and contented
96 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST
cattle going to water or to pasturage, gave the necessary moving
life, while the picture was completed by the homesteads that stood
amidst plots of cultivation smiling in their spring verdure. Young
ladies vainly regretted that their sketch-books had not found
a place in their necessary impedimenta. A pleasant walk of three
miles and a half and the Moorabool Falls are reached, the piper
struck up a triumphant pibroch, and on a little bank of brilliant
green the camp is set, and the ever thoughtful president of the
Ballarat Field Club soon has baskets opened up for a welcome
snack, by way of a stay after an early breakfast and ramble. A
little rest, and the falls and other beauties of the place are keenly
examined, though when the piper plays dance music, young feet
and some not so young, cannot resist the temptation of a highland
fling.
Our president and another now returned to the Lal Lal Falls, to-
meet the Melbourne party conducted by Mr. Krausé. The Lal Lal
Creek has at this place cut its way through the basalt, and falls a
depth of 110 feet. On either side of the stream, below the falls, fair,
specimens of basaltic columns rise. Descending to the bed of the
stream, it is found to be working its way through basalt boulders,
‘that give place to granite, where the volcanic stream seems to have
ceased. A mile of very rough walking, and the party including
one lady, reached the junction of the creek and the Western
Moorabool River. Our leader promising an easier walk, the
journey was continued up the latter stream. On the way the
entomologists regretted that the fine bushes of Bursarza spznosa,.
passed on the way were not yet in bloom, as then they might have
reaped a fine harvest of beetles, etc. A bar of basalt crossing the
river, causes small falls, and adds to the beauty of the gorge.
About a quarter of a mile further, and the pretty Moorabool Falls
come into view, the river shooting out over the basalt and falling
about fifty-two feet into the pool below. Unfortunately for the
collectors of fresh water algz, there was too strong a current for
their branch of naturalising.
The geological features of the district are made up of post, upper
and middle pliocene, newer volcanic, lower silurian, and granite. From
amap published by Mr. Krausé in the Ballarat School of Mines Report
for 1882, it will be observed that of a large portion, the description
is post pliocene on volcanic, on middle pliocene on granite. The map
also shows how a lava stream , descending from Mt. Buninyong
or Warrenheip, certainly extinct volcanoes, notwithstanding Dr.
Taylor’s theories, blocked the old lead with its many lateral streams
forming a lake with its flood waters, and as the paper by Mr. Krausé
tells us, discharged their transported debris of trunks of trees, roots,.
branches, leaves, and fruit, other physical changes occurring; thick
beds of clay and gravel overspread the vegetable layers, and
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 97
pressure and moisture, chief chemical factors in the production of
bitumen, brought about the conversion of wood into lignite.
Baron von Mueller considers the vegetable fossils of the lignite
beds, to be identical with those found at Haddon, and Napoleons
and other parts of the Ballarat district, being evidently remains of
gigantic conifers.
The hard pull along the bed of the stream over the boulders, and
through the prickly scrub, made the camping ground with its green
carpet and white table-cloth look very inviting, and the strains of
the piper playing a lively march for dinner sounded sweet music in
the ears of hungry scientists. The entertainment for the day had
been generously provided for by Mr. Oddie, and eatables and
drinkables were abundant. Some geologists and professors were
tapping, not rocks, but bottles of chablis and claret ; entomologists
carving hams and pies; botanists busy at tarts and sandwiches,
while the genial president of the Ballarat Club himself presided at the
tea-pot, and ladies were “ ministering angels,” everywhere. Pro-
‘toplasm having been consumed in sufficient quantity, at the instance
of the chairman, Mr. Oddie, the healths of the Queen and the Prince
of Wales were drunk with the usual musical honors. Mr. Halley
was called on to speak, and this he did, by proposing on behalf of
the Melbourne visitors a hearty vote of thanks to the Ballarat Field
Club and its officers for the kind thoughtful way in which all
arrangements had been made, and complimented the city of
Ballarat on its admirably conducted School of Mines, with its
efficient staff of officers. Cheers long and loud endorsed the
president’s words, and Mr. Oddie briefly replied, and said how
pleased his Ballarat friends were to be thus visited, and announced
tea for five o’clock. Little groups of collectors now started out in
all directions. Green nets might be seen waving in pursuit of
deftly flitting lepidoptera. Umbrellas spread to catch the coleoptera
shaken from the bushes. A follower of Isaac Walton vainly trying
if speckled trout lived in the pool beneath the waterfall. A painter.
in oils trying to catch the changing beauty of the landscape. A
couple of photographers with their heads constantly under their
black cloths. Botanical collectors breaking boughs, gathering
flowers, digging roots, etc. One member trying to drown an.
unfortunate lizard, another helping a young lady high up a rocky
bank, with his geological hammer stuck in the back of his belt, and
as he bent to the ascent, short sighted people wondered if the
missing link had at last been found. Indeed in several cases, stern
young scientists went off in couples and fours, like ordinary young
people at an ordinary picnic, showing how much human nature
there is in naturalists. Old fogies like the presidents chatted with
each other and with the professors, concerning things scientific and
political, gold mining and university teaching. The fern-gatherers
98 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST
made up splendid bunches of maiden-hair, and other ferns, while those
who were uot natives admired the abundance of the old English
favourite wild flowers, buttercups, and red and blue pimpernels.
Tea, cocoa and inviting eatables were ready at about five, and after
being duly appreciated, at the request of Mr. Oddie, Mr. Halley
asked the assembled guests both from Ballarat and Melbourne to
signify their acknowledgement to Mrs. Krause and the Misses
Jones, who had taken much trouble in the preparation of the
various good things, and to Mr. Cameron and his family, whe
provided the conveyances to and from the station, and rendered
other kindly services. Cheers being heartily given by all present.
As the evening drew on, and the setting sun began to cast long
shadows, “Auld Lang Syne” was sung, and young and old
joined in dancing Sir Roger de Coverley. Rounds of huzzahs
were given for Mr. Oddie, and the party proceeded to tramp, not
wearily, but gaily back to the Railway Station. The Lal Lal
falls were once more visited, and the station reached in ample time
for the half-past seven train, in which Mr. Halley had arranged for
a special saloon compartment, which was found a great convenience
by the party, as at the various stations the word “engaged” displayed
in the window prevented the intrusion of strangers, not even the
great crowd at Geelong being allowed to invade the scientists’ sanctum.
Holiday time makes late trains, and the farewells at Spencer Street
were very hasty, not many minutes being left in which to catch the
last suburban trains.
Twenty-five members and visitors from the Melbourne Club, of
whom seven were ladies, and the total number present of both Clubs
with friends numbered about seventy. All agreed that if much
collecting was not done, or the store of knowledge much added to, a
very enjoyable day, with the grandest of weather, beautiful scenery, and
genial companionship, combined to make up an outing long to be
remembered as the first united gathering of amateur naturalists
held in Victoria; and hopes were expressed that such a union of
forces might become at least an annual arrangement.
Owing to the season for wild flowers being almost over, and the
weather kardly warm enough for insect life, the number of specimens
collected was not large, but the more noticeable taken in the several
departments are enumerated below:
Botany.—Phanerogamous plants.—The following were noted as
uncommon near Melbourne:—Clematis aristata; Viola betonicifolia;
Tetiatheca ciliata; Plagianthus pulchellus; Rhagodia nutans;
Epilobium tetragonum; Discaria Australis, (syn. Colletia pubescens);
Sambucus sp.; Gratiola Peruviana; Veronica Derwentia; V. gracilis;
V. peregrina; Euphrasia Brown; and Ajuga prostrata.
Ferns.—Hight species noted, among them being Grammitis
rutifolia; and Asplenium flabellifolium.
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 99
Entomology.—Of beetles, Longicornes were perhaps the most
numerous, amongst those taken being Amphirhoe decora; Enchoptera
Africalis; two Zoedias; and a small un-named species resembling an
Agapete, hitherto only known to have been taken near Melbourne.
Of the other families Scarabeide, Cleride, Elateride, and Chry-
somelide were represented by the commoner species. Of Buprestide,
only one un-named species of Stigmodera was taken.
Of Lepidoptera, several species of butterflies and moths more or
Jess local were taken, also a few Hymenoptera and Neuroptera.
REMARKS ON VICTORIAN GALL-MAKING
COCCIDA.
By O. A. Sayce.
(Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club, October 12th, 1885.)
Ir is generally thought, I believe, that the Galls or Excrescences
found on our forest trees and shrubs are all the products of
Hymenopterous insects. I have given some little time to investigating
them, and haye noticed that most are formed by a family of insects,
totally different in structure, as well as habits, called Coccide, well
known to horticulturists under the name of Scale insects. They
belong to the order Homoptera, which is divided by Latreille and
Westwood into three sections.
Sect. I., Zrimera. Tarsi 3-jointed; antennes minute, setigerous;
wings areolate.. The well known noisy Cicada, (often mis-called
Locust), is a type.
Sect. II., Dimera. Tarsi 2-jointed, antennz moderate, filiform,
5-10 jointed; wings subareolate.
The destructive and world-distributed family of Apzde, with the
gevus Phylloxera, well known on account of its ravages amongst
vine-yards, are types.
Sect. III., Monomera. Tarsi 1-jointed, antenne 6-25 jointed,
wings not areolate.
The latter is the one to which the Coccide belong. These
insects, which are ordinarily of very small size, are most injurious
to the interests of horticulturists; their powers of propagation are
excessive, and owing to the covering which they form to protect
themselves, they are very difficult to exterminate. They are one
of the most anomalous tribe of insects with which we are acquainted.
The females become more and more imperfect in form as they
reach the zmago, or adult state, losing all power of locomotion, and,
in many species all trace of articulations in the body and limbs,
becoming, in fact, inert and fixed masses of animal matter, motionless,
100 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST
and apparently senseless. The males become winged, possessing
like the Diptera, one pair. The mouth in the perfect state is
obsolete.
The Cochineal insect, popular on account of its value a3 a dye,
is a member of this family.
In Australia, some species form large excrescences on the
branches and leaves of trees and shrubs, and frequently exist in
such numbers as to greatly alter the shape of the leaves and branches,
and sadly disfigure, and eventually kill the tree by robbing it of the
sap.
I have noticed a considerable variety of Galls in different parts
of Victoria, but in this paper will only give short notes on two of
the more common and widely extended species.
The only literature upon our Gall-making Coecide that I know
of, is a brief paper by H. L. Schrader, published in the Trans. of
the Entomological Society of New South Wales, for 1862.
He has considered it necessary, on account of their forming Galls,
and of their difference in structure and habits to any previously
known in other parts of the world, to divide them into three genera.
1. Brachyscelis. Where the females have six legs complete,
but short, and unfit for use.
2. Opisthoscelis. Where they have only two long posterior legs.
8. Ascelis. Where there are no vestiges of legs.
The exerescences of the genus Brachyscelis, I have found
commonly upon different species of young Eucalypts. I shall
confine my remarks to only one species.
The male Galls are situated on the leaves, generally along the
mid rib, where they are often found thickly together. In shape they
are similar to a trumpet, having the widest part facing outwards, and
showing a hollow down the centre. In length, they are about 15
lines. The male insects are minute in size, possessing a pair of
wings, and are furnished with two long anal sete. They live but a
short period like the Ephemeride or May flies, to which they are
most analogous.
The female Galls are found on the branches of the same trees as
the males, but much larger. They are subject to considerable
modifications in size as well as shape; generally the ultimate
form is about 14 imches in length, and 4 inch through at the
thickest part. At the apex is a small hole, and splitting the Gall
open reveals the female insect. On first appearance it might be
mistaken for a pupa of a moth, as its shape is similar. The
body is clothed with a white, downy secretion, and is divided into
eight segments, terminating in two short hard anal sete. The legs
are very short, and useless as regards locomotion; the posterior are
the most perfect, the anterior the least so, they are hardly discernible
by the naked eye. The mouth is placed between the first and
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 101
second pairs of legs. A pair of what appear to be eyes, situated in
a, furrow on each side of the mouth, can be seen by the microscope.
The antenne are minute, and placed in front of the first pair of
legs.
Tr haye found colonies of young in May and October. They were
congregrated in enormous numbers in the parent Gall, round the
body of the insect. They were very active, and ran fice quickly.
None were bigger than a pin’s head. Examined under the microscope
they were seen to be of an oval shape. The tarsi of each leg
terminating in two short filaments. The antenne setaceous, and
terminating in four filaments, two long, and two short. The body
divided into eleven segments, terminating in two long filamentous
sete. Round the margin of the insects at regular intervals, were
short outstanding hairs forming a fringe.
Opisthoscelis sp. I shall only remark upon one species of this
genus. The Galls I have found, both male and female, on the
leaves of young Eucalypts. They are much smaller than the
Brachyscelis. The female galls are spherical in shape, about the
size of a pea; viz., 10 lines in length, and 10 broad. The Galls
form on the under side of the leaves, and the mouth or orifice opens
on the upper.
The Galls of the males form on the same leaves: they are much
smaller than the females and conical in shape. The male insect is
a good deal like the above mentioned species of Brachyscelis, but is
thicker in the body, has shorter anal sete, and its body, legs, and
antenne, are covered with short hairs.
Cutting the female Gall through, shows a very anomalous insect,
appearing as a small mass of jelly, covered with a white dust. It is
five lines long, and four broad, and about three lines through from
dorsal to ventral side. The posterior pair of legs are well developed
and moye actively. The first and second pairs are absent. The
whole of the fore part of the insect is permanently glued to the
inside of the gall.
I have found young appearing in October and November. They
are similar in appearance to those of the young of the genus
Brachyscelis, excepting in not having a fringe of hairs round the
side, and being scarlet in colour. On making their exit from the
parent Galls, they ascend the branches to the young, fresh shoots at the
extreme tips: there they affix themselves by their rostrum, and
form galls, gradually increasing in size, and lose their anal sete
as well as their former activity.
I have frequently found parasitical grubs of microscopical size,
alive in different species of galls, and in November I noticed sey eral
minute Hymenopterous flies ‘allied to the genus Chalczs, just leaving
the galls of the species of Opisthoscelis above mentioned.
I have prepared slides for the microscope of the above mentioned
102 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST
species and young, and also of different parasites that attack them ;
and will be glad to show them at the close of the meeting, to any
one who may be interested in the subject.
I regret that opportunities have not occured to allow me to work
on this subject more continuously and thoroughly, so that I could
have given more comprehensive details upon their life history. I
feel that I owe an apology to the Club for its incompletenes, but,
considering the importance of Economic Entomology in all is
branches, I decided to bring it before you as a contribution toward
a better knowledge of this tranch of practical science.
GEOLOGICAL SKETCH OF SOUTH-WESTERN
VICTORIA.
By Joun Dennant. Part 1.
( Continued.)
The intrusive rocks are probably much older than those at the
Chetwynd, and differ altogether in appearance and composition. The
Wando rocks are almost a serpentine, of a marked green color, giving
on analysis but 43 per cent. of silica, with as much as 30 per cent
of magnesia, while the dykes of the Chetwynd and elsewhere are
of a wholly different and much more acid character.
When the slates are the surface rock, the soil is very poor, but as
in many cases they are surrounded or overlaid by other formations,
more or less denuded, great variations in the fertility of the land are
observed. Along the valleys of the Glenelg and Wando, where the
underlying primitive rock is concealed by thin patches of secondary
strata, a very rich soil is produced. Opposite Roseneath, the junction
of the slates with this last named formation is visible, and what is
more interesting still, a few chains distant, shells of tertiary age ean
be gathered from a band of limestone overlying the mesozoie beds.
The secondary rocks are an outlier of the lignite-bearing strata of the
Wannon district, and the limestone is directly connected with the
immense area of the tertiaries to the westward.
Although I close my remarks on this formation without being
able to define its precise place in the geological series, there can be
no doubt of its being the oldest in this part of Victoria, possessing
perhaps greater points of resemblance to Lower than to Upper
Silurian, notably in its high dip and generally perfeet cleavage.
It certainly underlies the Grampian sandstone group, for granting
that this does not now extend much beyond Mount Dundas, yet
evidence is not wanting to show that at one time it had a much
wider range ; even in the vicinity of the slaty beds just described,
remnants of it can still be recognised, insignificant in extent, but of
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 103
the greatest possible interest when studied in connection with the
surrounding sedimentary deposits. Actual junctions are difficult to
obtain on account of the debris of this once prevailing sandstone
being now so widely scattered, but it is worthy of remark that it
never develops a fissile structure in the neighbourhood of the “lower
beds,” in which not only this, but other leading characteristics of
silurian strata are so strongly marked.
(To be continued.)
IMBEDDED TORTOISES IN NEW SOUTH WALKS.
[The following observations were made by the late William Keene, Esq.,
F.G.S., and are extracted from papers left by him. They were read
before the Field Club, on behalf of Mrs. John Simson. |
THREE tortoises were found in the course of 1859, in the rock in
the railivay cutting between West Maitland and Singleton, New
South Wales. The first tortoise was found on the 21st January,
1859, and was sent to His Excellency Sir William Denison, whu
presented it to the Museum, Sydney. It died in the course of the
year. ‘The second tortoise was found on the 20th October, 1859;
it was about the size of half a crown. It was alive, but its mouth
was sealed; it had been injured in the breaking of the rock, and died
three days afterwards.
The third tortoise is the one in my possession. It was found on
the 6th November, 1859, by Mr. Bewick, Superintendent of Works
on the Great Northern Railway. It was found about the same
place, on the same line of cutting where the others were found.
The eyes and mouth were closed and did not open for two or three
days after. The creature was exactly of the same kind, rather
smaller than the first, and larger than the second taken. Mr. Keene
weighed it accurately, and found it to weigh exactly sixty-nine
grains. ‘lhe tortoise has been kept in a glass jar partly filled with
water, which is renewed every second day. It feeds on flies, prawns,
and fish, in preference to any other animal food; it will not eat
vegetables of any kind. In cold weather its powers of deglutition
seems altogether suspended, and it remains often for weeks, some-
times the whole of the winter, without taking food. It has been
weighed before it hibernates and afterwards. The last time it was
weighed by Mr. W. Keene, (2nd October, 1871), it weighed 4440:
grains troy, (ten ounces avoir.)
The tortoise is singular, in so much as there has not been another
one found which resembles it exactly in shape, which tends to confirm
the evidence given of those who found it, that it came out of the
solid rock, The rock was fossiliferous conglomerate, found in many
104 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST
parts of the coal fields at the base of the coal measures, containing
Spirifera, &c. The fragments of the piece of rock in which
the first tortoise was found, were carefully packed and sent to the
museum in Sydney. The piece of rock from which this tortoise came,
was not preserved; perhaps it went to pieces and could not be
collected.
ON CROWS.
By I. Barry.
(Continued. )
ALTHOUGH crows associate in large flocks I imagine no ties of
friendship bind them together. Magpies act as if they loved one
another, as I will explain further on. The crow, in dangerous
localities, displays sound judgment in the selection of a tree wherein
to build the nest. The tree chosen is always a tall one, generally
situated in a gully, or secluded creek or river bend. On the
Murrumbidgee where they where unmolested they were not fastidious,
a brigalow bush growing solitary on the plain, or a dead Murray pine
served the purpose equally well. I remember, when going with
another person to prepare a shepherd’s camp in September 1882,
finding a nest in a dead pine with the old bird sitting on it, her tail
and wing feathers extending over the side. I threw a shinglng
hammer at the nest’without disturbing the bird. We made sure
she was dead, so I climbed quietly up the tree and grasped her by
the wings and tail, when, to my surprise, she gave a loud caw. L
feel certain the bird must have been sound asleep.
As I have already said, crows display much tact when breeding,
and they are also knowing enough to maintain strict silence. Thus
a pair will sometimes build and sit on their eggs in a tree close at
hand, before you are aware of the fact. During incubation these
birds become accomplished egg thieves, not owing to the fact that
hen eggs are a more suitable food during that period, but because
the temporary change in their usual routine of life, enables them to
conduct such nefarious operations with a greater degree of success.
I believe that the male bird does the thieving, which is conducted
on a very sound basis, as it is extremely rare for him to try on his
rascality if a man is about. One of my brothers, a selector at Lake
Rowan, was prepared to give a reward of one pound to any person
who would shoot an egg-stealing crow which haunted his place. He
said that whenever he was absent, the bird would impudently alight
on a tree close by, knowing well that his wife could not shoot him.
(To be continued.)
Cc. H. MUMM & CO.,
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FOSSCSCOCHSCOOSCSCOCSCSCSCSCSSCOSCSSOOSOSD
SOLE AGENTS FOR VICTORIA—
ALEX. JOSKE & G@a
16 Little Collins Street East.
Wn. S. HUSBANDS,
MM ANOLACTURING OLTICIAN
81 QUEEN STREET,
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(Established 1862),
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WH r27E Kose R222
Students Conpound Achromatic Microscopes, and
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Mathematical, Philosophical, Meterologicai, Nautical:
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IWOGs tas 80. 9: JANUARY 1886.
THE
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The te of each article is responsible for the facts
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Proceedings of the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria
Fungi of North Gippsland. By H. T. Tispauz, F.L.S....
Collector’s Trip to North Queensland. By A. W. Conus.
Geological Sketch of South West Victoria. Part Il. By
Joun DenNAnRT.
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Mrs. DOBSON. |. Me. JH. GATEIPR,
a= J. SIMSON: | » Gy Rel hs
Mr. D. BEST. | ~~ De LaSOU me
25 Mine OA. POR. MOAS
oo
_Turs Crug was founded in 1880 for the purpose of aifording observers
and lovers of Natural History reeular and frequent opportunities for
discussing those special subjects in which they are mutually interested;
for the Exhibition of Specimens ; aud for promoting Observations in the
Field by meaus of Excursions to various collecting grounds around the
Metropolis. :
No Entrance Fee, Annual Subscription, including copy of proceedings»
L5s., dating from May Ist.
The Ordinary Meetings for the reading of papers, and exhibition of
specimens, with a short conversazione, are held on the second Monday in
each month at the Roya] Society’s Hall, Victoria Street, Melbourne, at
8 p.m.
’ The proceedings of the Club are recorded in its journal—the “ Victorian.
Naturalist.” Annual Subscription, 6s. 6d., post free (to members. free).
The first Volume, comprising sixteen numbers, with title page and index, —
just completed. Price—Seven Shillings and Sixpence (post free).
Copies of the Anuual Report and List of Members for 1884-5, with
Rules, etc., can be obtained on application to the Hon. See.
THE
Pictorvian Paturalist:
=
More Ke No. 9. JANUARY 1886. No.
bo
On
THE FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB OF VICTORIA.
Tur monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society’s
Hall, on Monday evening, 14th December, 1885.
The president, the Rev. J. J. Halley occupied the chair, and
about sixty members and visitors were present.
The hon. librarian acknowledged the receipt of the following
donations to the library:—‘‘ Annual Reports of Ballarat School of
Mines for 1882 and 1883,” from Mr. F. M. Krausé; “ Plants of
New South Wales, arranged according to Baron von Mueller’s
census,” by Dr. Woolls, F.L.8., from the author; also Kirby’s
“ Hlementary Text Book of Entomology” and Howe’s “ Atlas of
Hlementary Biology,” which have been added by purchase.
The hon. secretary read a short account of the Club excursion to
Murrumbeena, on Saturday, November 22nd, which had been fairly
attended, but no specimens of any nete were obtained.
The following persons were elected members of the Club:—Mrs.
R. W. Hooke, Messrs. W. Ball, Edw. Crellin, C. Morris, M.
Trickett, and Master L. Inglis.
Papers were promised for the next meeting by Mr. C. A. Topp,
M.A., entitled “‘Further notes on the Utricularia,” and Mr. F.
Reader, on the “ Immigration of Plants.”
Papers read:—1. Mr. A. J. Campbell read a paper entitled
“* Oological Notes,” in which he described the eges of the following
birds which bad been recorded for the first time during the season
just closed. The radiated goshawk, the red-tailed finch, the white-
vented wood-swallow, the yellow honey-eater, the uniform-coloured
honey-eater, the black-headed honey-eater, the white-headed sitella,
the scaly-breasted lorikeet, the Australian cassowary, and the knot.
2. Mr. C. A. Topp read for Mr. J. Dennant, of Hamilton, “ A
Geological Sketch of South-West Victoria,” Part IJ., describing
the structure of the different ranges of the Grampian series. The
writer stated that their age was difficult to determine, owing to the
absence of fossils; and showed the sandy ridges of the County of
106 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST
Lowan to be the remains of former sandstone ranges. His remarks
were clearly explained by means of a carefully prepared geological
sketch map.
The paper gave rise to considerable discussion, principally relating
to the question of the rising or sinking of the Victorian coast-line.
Owing to the unavoidable absence of Dr. Dobson, and Mr. F. RB.
Godfrey, their papers were postponed until the next meeting.
Mr. C. French, F.L.S., contributed a short note on two rare
humming-birds from Mounts Chimborazo and Pinchinea, South
America, where they are found about 1000 feet above the snow line.
The following were the principal exhibits of the evening:—By
Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, brown coal and lignite from Lal Lal,
coleoptera collected at Lal Lal excursion, anda hawk-moth, Sphina
convolvuli, recently taken at Kew; by Mr. E. Bage, plants collected
at Lal Lal excursion, also skeleton leaves of native plants prepared
and presented to the Club by Mrs. Lewellin; by Miss F. M. Campbell,
five kinds of fossil wood from Glenmaggie, Gippsland; by Mr. A. J.
Campbell, new eggs in illustration of his paper, four rare hawks’
and other eggs taken during his recent excursion to Northern
Queensland, a cassowary skin and other rare Queensland birds,
photographs of Townsville tribe of aboriginals; by Mr. J. P.
Chirnside, geological specimens from Denver and Colorado, U.8.A.;
by Mr, A. Coles, two fish stuffed by a new process whereby the
colour is retained in the specimens; by Mr. P, Dattari, growing
ferns Lomaria lanceolata, Woodwardia aspera, and W. caudaia,
from Greensborough, and Aspediuwm héspidwm,from Warragul; by Mr.
C. French, the rare humming-birds Oreotrochilus Chimborazo, and
O. Pinchinca from the Andes; by Mr. T. A. Forbes-Leith, four
American birds, the Maryland yellow-throat, a pair of Canadian
nuthatches, Svtta Canadensis,a downy woodpecker, Pzcus pubescens,
from U.S.A., and an Amazon oriole, also a specimen of the wild
canary from Africa, compared with one of the domesticated birds; by
Mr. R. Hall, larva of emperor moth; by Mr H. Kennon, stalactites
and stalagmites from caves at Portland; by Mr. F. Reader, grasses
from Studley Park; by Mr. F. Spry, Victorian lepidoptera; by Mr.
QO. A. Sayce, microscopic parasites found on neuropterous insects
taken at Lal Lal.
After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated.
FUNGI OF NORTH GIPPSLAND.
By Henry Tuomas Tispauu, F.L.S.
(Read before Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 11th Nov., 1885.)
Parner
In this paper I purpose to contrast the two great families of
Sporifera and Sporidifera by comparing two sub-orders, one from
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 107
each division, namely, Polypore: and Tuberace?. With the exception
of the Agaracini, which I described in my last contribution to our
Society, these two orders are certainly the most noble and useful of
the fungoid group.
Fungi are propagated by means of very small oval or round
bodies called spores. In the family of Sporifera, these spores are
produced on the tips of hair-like projecticns termed sterigmas, which
issue from the extremities of thicker bodies (basidia); ‘hes heidi
are thickly strewn on a membrane and grow all over it, putting one
in mind of a field of Indian corn. This membrane or hymenium is
differently placed in different orders; in Agaracini we have seen
that it lines the gills placed under the pileus or cap, but in the
Polypore: instead of gills, we find in the same place innumerable
pores or tunnels as it were. placed side by side, penetrating the
under-side of the pileus, sometimes only a little way but generally
going almost through, being only stopped by the testa or outside
skin. The hymencum is placed over the entire surface thus exposed,
lining the cavities even to their extremities. The shapes assumed
by the different species of Polyporet are truly Protean, but the
greater number have the regular stipa or stem surmounted by a
pileus as seen in the Agaracini, and vary principally in size, mode
of growth and consistence. The last trait is of especial importance,
and leads us from the soft juicy Boletus eduiis, through the leathery
species such as Polyporus squamosus, of which Mr. Hussey remarked,
that ‘“ One might as well eat saddle flaps,” until at length we arrive
at our own Polyporus Australis, which is almost as hard as wood.
To sum up, Polyport are distinguished by the hymenium lining
pores on the under-side of the pileus, the hymenium itself bearing
basidia, from the extremity of each of which project four naked
spores each on a slender ster rigma. Further Polypore: always grow
‘above ground, either on soil or on stumps, fallen logs, ete., and derive
their Homishment from these by means of an assemblage of long
slender, white roots, called mycelium. I ought to explain that the
my celium has, in conjunction with the spore another important
office, for it is from it that the young fungus springs.
Turning our attention to the Tuberace’ we find a subterranean
tuber, not unlike a potato, apparently without stem, pileus, mycelium
or anything else in common with the last order; in fact, the whole
plant may be said to be self-contained, for itis surrounded by an outer
skin or peridium, and inside it consists of a mass of hymenium,
sometimes soft and fleshy as in Tuber estivum, the well known truffle,
for which enormons prices are frequently paid j in Europe, sometimes
hard and horny as in Mylitta Australis. But the greatest difference
between the two families is the way in which the spores are produced;
in Polypore’, I have shown that they are naked bodies borne on
basidia, whereas in Tuberaceé the spores are enclosed in small cells
108 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST
called asci. Imagine a long transparent bag filled with eggs and
reduce the whole immensely as to size, and it will give you some
idea of one of the asci under a microscope. In Mylitta Australis,
the mycelium, hymenium, and asci seem to be mixed up in the most
extraordinary way. Having now pointed out the principal differences
I shall describe a few of the species that have come under my own
observation.
Polyporus Australis. This curious species at first appears as
isolated patches, which coalesce and form one fungus. It generally
appears on decayed logs, but one variety which I forward, only
grows on the living trunk of Pittosporum bicolor. ‘The other variety
sometimes attains to an enormous size. I found one weighing nearly
one hundredweight, being four feet long, tivo fect wide, and one
foot deep in one of the Walhalla gullies, The pores are very small
and deep. The hymenium completely covering the under surface.
Polyporus pelliculosus. Grows on the roots of large gums,
generally on the summit of lofty spurs. I always put down this
species as belonging to the Hydnez, in consequence of its long, hairy
spines, but Prof. Cook pronounces it to be a true Polyporus. JT am
still trying to discover another specimen like that of which I send
a colored drawing, and which was found by me many years since on
the Deep Creek Hill. I would feel deeply grateful if any of our
members could send me one. I may say I copied the original faith-
fully, but unfortunately, was then ignorant of the importance of
delineating the way in which the hymenium was spread, therefore
the botanical value of the drawing is nz/, except for identification.
Polyporus cinnabarinus. This beautiful little plant is very
common on old logs; it may be seen almost in any damp nook,
brightening the dark wood with its presence. It is hard, almost
woody, the under-surface completely perforated with tiny pores of a
bright red color.
Polyporus Lawrencii. Rare in this district, found on dead gum
trees in very damp spots, pores very large, irregular and deep,
penetrating to the testa. It grows in layers one over the other, not
unlike masses of honeycomb placed horizontally. Color, brown
above, white beneath.
Polyporus spumeus. Found at the Deep Creek; unfortunately I
have no specimen at hand. Pores very small and deep, grows on
logs in damp gullies.
Boletus scaber. Boletus is the genus of the Polypore: which
contains most of the edible species, and is the nearest in appearance to
the Agaricint. Dr. Badham gives B. scaber a good character, but
Prof. Cook says it is not so popular as B. edulis. It grows amongst
grass on the top of our hills. Pileus flattish and depressed, color
light-brown, darker towards the centre; hymenium hemispherical,
except near stipe, which it does not touch; pores deep and large,
stem solid, flesh beautifully white and nutty.
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 109
Boletus luridus. Semi-globular, reddish color, edge uneven,
hymenium does not touch stipe, pores when cut are green and rather
shallow, stipe thickens towards centre, tapering to each end. I send
herewith several specimens of Boletus too numerous to describe in
this paper.
Mylitta Australis. These fungi are very common in Gippsland,
but they are difficult to be obtained, as they only grow underground,
and leave, as far as I know, no distinguishing mark to show their
whereabouts. I say as far as I know, but as Mr. Howitt assures
me that they are eaten in large quantities by Aboriginals, they may
have some way of finding them. Owing to the kindness of Mr.
Biggs, of Rosedale, and other gentlemen. I have been enabled to
compare those found in flat country, on the sides of hills around
Walhalla, and those found on the tableland of Moondara. So far,
except with regard to size, I have found no difference. A rough
outside pericarp, without the slightest trace of roots, encloses a mass
of matter something like boiled sago. ‘This mags, according to
Professor Berkeley, is the real hymenium, and certain specialised
cells turn into or produce the asei which contain the spores. The way
in which these spores are disseminated is as yet unknown, in fact,
the whole system of reproduction is at present shrouded in mystery,
leaving a wide field of observation open to the aspiring fungologist.
During my experiments with the Mylitta a curious thing occurred.
The weather happened to be very close and damp when I left half a
one on the mantelpiece, next morning I remarked a whitish-looking
substance oozing threugh in two places, one portion from what [
then imagined to be the stem, and the other from the cut side of the
fungus. At first I thought it a kind of mould, and turned
down the cut side so as to get rid of one lot at all events, but when
I again visited it, the new growth had made wonderful progress, the
lower one had actually raised the whole specimen nearly half an inch
from the shelf, and the other had developed a regular stem pileus,
etc. I then endeavoured to encourage the growth of both, but alas,
the large one on the cut side had its shape entirely changed, as may
be seen in both drawing and specimen forwarded. There is no
doubt of both specimens being veritable Polypore’, but I cannot
determine their species until I submit them to Prof. Cook for
inspection.
A COLLECTOR’S TRIP TO NORTH QUEENSLAND.
By A. W. Coss.
(Read before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 11th Nov., 1885)
Brine anxious to see the birds of the tropics in their natural state,
and also to collect a few of them, my brother, F'. G. Coles, and
110 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST
myself, left Melbourne on the 27th of last May, by the “S.S.
Barrabool,” bound for North Queensland.
We had a fine run to Sydney, which we reached on the 29th,
left again next day, and arrived in Brisbane, where we transhipped
into the ‘“ Keilawarra” on the first of June, started from there on
the 2nd, and after calling at Maryborough, Rockhampton, and
reached Townsville on the 9th.
After purchasing a horse, pack-saddle, etc., we started for the
bush, and pitched our first camp at Stewart’s Creek, which is
about ten miles to the south-west of Townsville, aud when we had
made everything snug for the night, we considered we had fairly
started upon our new undertaking, and were really in the midst of
the famous tropical birds.
The novelty of our first night under canvas, prevented us from
sleeping very soundly, but still we passed a fair night, and at
daybreak next morning were up, and after birds.
The country is not very thickly timbered about there, the greatest
impediment to walking being a species of sword grass, which grows
sometimes to a height of eight feet, and so thick, that you can
hardly get through it. The owners of the land, generally burn it
down twice a year, but it soon grows again as bad as ever.
The birds we found rather hard to get at, but still before the day
was over, we succeeded in shooting a fine specimen of the Plumed
Hawk, Lepidogenys subcristatus, and three pairs of the Crimson-
shouldered Lory, Aprosmictus erythropterus, a beautiful bird, in fact one
of the handsomest parrots we came across during our trip. With these
we returned to camp, and devoted the remainder of the day to skinning
and preserving, the bodies of course being carefully put away for
stews, in fact during the time we were at Stewart’s Creek, we lived
upon bird stews and damper, as we could get no bread or meat
without walking into Townsville. Damper making of course was
new to us, and I regret to say they did not turn out well. At first
we burnt them, then they were very doughy, but finally they were a
great success, and we got to prefer them to bread. For the edification
of future campists I may state that our experience goes to prove that
damper laid in the ashes, without covering of any sort turns out
best.
During the night it came on to rain, which made things decidedly
uncomfortable. Our tent kept out the water very well, so we
managed to sleep through it. Our troubles commenced next day
though, for as the rain continued, we were unable either to shoot
birds or make damper, so had nothing to eat. However during the
afternoon it cleared up, and after a little trouble we got a fire alight
and cooked a rough sort of tea.
Next day we shot some very good birds, including a pair of
Moreton Bay Rosel!las, Platycercus Polliceps, and three of Leach’s
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 111
Kingfishers, Dacelo Leachit, or as they are commonly called Queens-
land Jackasses. They are very fine birds and have a most peculiar
laugh, not at all like the one we hear around Melbourne. I have
stood under a tree and watched them frequently. One will sit
almost erect on the branch, with its bill pointing straight upwards,
and its tail thrown over its back, and while in that position will
make a noise something like the short, sharp bark of a dog: mean-
while its mate will sit on a bough opposite, and leaning forward
towards the other, will make a peculiar cackling noise. Phe best
time to hear this laugh, if laugh it is, 1s just before dark. When
the twilight has given ‘place to dusk, and the light foliage of the
trees looks dark al gloomy, then suddenly you will be startled by
this almost unearthly music, coming from you know not where, and
ceasing as suddenly as it began, only to commence again in some
other unexpected quarter, till one who was ignorant of its origin
would almost think he was encompassed by a legion of eyil s pirits,
During the early part of the following week, we had more rain,
but nevertheless managed to get some very good specimens,
including three Sanguineous Honey- eaters, Myzomela sanguinolenta,
two Red-backed Wrens, Malurus melanocephalus, a Western Brown
Hawk, Jeracidea occidentalis, and a pair of Coucals or Swamp
Pheasants, Centropus pies? em. This bird is, I. believe, a species
of Cuckoo: it is generally found in the grass, and w hen disturbed
will fly into the lower branches of the nearest tree, from which it
will hop up and up, until it reaches the dense foliage at the top,
where it will endeavour to hide until the danger has passed, when
it will return to the grass as before. I have several times lost this
bird by taking my eyes from it for an instant: as sure as vou look
away, it will slide from the tree without making the slightest rustle,
and as it takes care to keep the tree between, you will rar ely see it
execute this manoeuvre. It has rather a harsh note, but when
mellowed by distance, it may easily be mistaken for the coo of a
pigeon, only it is of much longer duration. The flesh is very good
eating, so they were very acceptable to us.
After staying at Stewart’s Creek about a week, we packed our
horse, which, by the way, was rather giyen to straying, and gaye us
no little trouble on that account, and Started for the Alligator Creek,
which we reached after a walk of four hours. We camped there
on the ground of Mr. Gilbert, the proprietor of the Alligator Creek
Boiling Down Works, who, I may say, was very kind to us, and
gave us all the assistance in his power.
The site we chose for our tent was very pretty; it was the top of
a long sand ridge, about two miles in length, covered with tropical
trees and shrubs of all descriptions, There were the Pandanus or
Bread Fruit Trees, Wild Plums, a variety of the Acacia, and
towering above all others, the magnificent Ti-Tree, not at all like
112 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
the puny insignificant thing you see dowu south, but a real giant of
the forest with wide spreading branches, giving shade to all around
These are only a few of the trees to be found there, others there
were, whose names I could not learn, and then growing over and
among them were vines and creepers inabundance. The foliage too
is quite different to what we have been accustomed to. You see
there no dark green leayes, like those of our Enucalypti, the
prevailing colour is a very light green, which I must say looks much
more cheerful.
Along this ridge we soon went with our guns, and were not long
in securing specimens, snch as a Masked Barn Owl, Strix personata,
an Ibis, Threskiornis strictipennis, and several Barred Shouldered
and little Zebra Doves, Geopelia humeralis and Geopelia tranguilla.
The similarity between these Doves is very striking, the one really
seems a smaller edition of the other, they are marked the same,
and so faras I could learn their habitsare precisely similar. Their notes
are different, however, that of the Barred Shouldered resembling a
Cuckoo, in fact it is called the Cuckoo Pigeon in Queensland; while
the other has a harsh, guttural note, rather loud for the size of the
bird. ‘hey are nice little things: I was very fond of watching them
strutting abott in the grass, picking up the seeds, and I think a
good many escaped on that account.
During that and the following week, we worked around our
locality with varying success: we had a little rough weather which
drove the birds back for shelter, but still wedid very well on the
whole. Amongst others we secured the Dronga Shrike, Deurus
bracteatus, a glossy Blackbird, with red eyes, and a fan-shaped tail,
two varieties of the Kingfisher, J/acleay’s, and the Rufous-backed,
Halcyon Macleayi and Halycon Pyrrhopygia, the W hite-backed
Wood Swallow, Artamus Leucopygialis, a very pretty bird, and alsoa
smaller variety of the same, whichis about half the size and a
perfect fac-simile of the other, its correct name I have not yet
been able to ascertain.
‘There are a good many birds in this district that are obtainable
in Victoria, for instance the Musk Lorikeet, Zrichoglossus
concinnus, the Little Lorikeet, Z7richoglossus pusillus, Swainson’s
Lorikeet, Zi ichoglossus Swainson, and the Friar Bird, Zropzdor-
hynchus corniculatus, were also very plentiful. We also secured a
Bustard, Otis Australastanus, and a Southern Stone Plover,
Oedicnemus grallarius, which were exactly similar to their Southern
brethren.
After a week or so on the banks of Alligator Creek, we concluded
it would be a good idea to try a trip on the water, so obtaining a
boat from the schooner “‘ Carrambeenie,” which was loading cargo
at the works. we started off one morning up the creek. It is a fine
sheet of water, about a hundred and twenty yards wide at this part,
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 113
and as we were only four miles from its mouth, it was quite salt.
The banks being acted upon by the tides, are mud, out of which the
mangrove grows to a height of ten or twelve feet, and so thick that
it is difficult to get from the water to the shore. Alligators were
at one time very plentiful there, and I was assured by the manager
that one was shot measuring thirty-two feet, but they have been
nearly exterminated. During the whole time we were there, we
saw but two, and they took care to keep far enough away.
The bottom of the Creek is composed of mud and sand, without
rocks or snags of any kind, so it is a splendid place for boating.
We had a fine pull for a few miles, when we had a shot at a flock of
ducks, and succeeded in bringing down two: one of them however,
only being wounded, got into the mangroves, and although I
followed it with the mud above my knees, until I was really in danger
of being bogged, and making a meal for an alligator, it escaped.
The one we got proved to be the Radjah Shieldrake, Tadorna
radjah, a very fine bird, and the only one we secured during our
trip. The only other bird we shot on the Creek was a Wimbrel,
Numenius uropygialis, an indifferent specimen. Our Shieldrake
however, quite compensate us for our day’s work, and we returned
to camp tired but satisfied.
During the following week we did some very good work, and
bagged specimens of the Bee Haters, Merops ornatus, White-
breasted Graucalus, Graucalus hypoleucus, Black-backed Crow
Shrike, Black-throated Crow Shrike, Cracticus nigrogularis, Yellow
Honey Eater, Ptelotis fava, and many cthers.
After staying between three or four weeks on the sand ridge, as
we named the place, we decided to move a little higher up tne creek,
and spending a week there before finally taking our departure, so
packed up, and struck off to the west, and after a walk of a few
miles, pitched our tent by the side of a dam, about half a mile
distant from Alligator Creek.
As this was the only place where fresh water could be obtained
without going a considerable distance, we concluded that birds such
as Pigeons, Hawks, ete., would come to drink, and we were not
mistaken, for when we turned out at daylight next morning, we
discovered two beautiful White-breasted agles, Ichthycaltus
Teucogaster, or as they are called about there, White-headed Fish
Hawks, by the water’s edge. Of course it is one thing to see, and
another to shoot them as they are very wary, and on this occasion as on
several others,they gave us the double. We made up for our dis-
appointment by shooting some pigeons, which turned out to be of the
Squatter variety, and fine birds they are, both for the pot and collection.
They are the heaviest birds for their size that I know of, and, of
course, we tried a good many during our trip. After skinning these
pigeons, we again turned our attention to the eagles, and tried hard
114 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST
for several days to secure them, but without success; all sorts of
schemes were frustrated by their watchfulness. I have myself lain
in ambush for half a day, covered up almost with branches of trees,
without seeing a sign of one, but no sooner would I leave, than one
would swoop down from some spot where it had hitherto been con-
cealed, and after staying a minute to quench its thirst, would dart
off again as quickly as it came. Our patience was rewarded finally
though, as one evening one was shot amidst great rejoicing. It
proved to be a fine specimen, its white head, throat, and breast,
showing out in strong contrast to the dark chocolate colour of the
wings and back. The feathers are soft and silky to the touch, and
are greatly sought after for the manufacture of artificial flies for
fishing. This was the only one we succeeded in getting, although
we tried hard for them during the remainder of our stay. We got
nothing more of importance at the dam, so at the end of a week
from time of getting there, again struck tent, and returned to
Stewart’s Creek, where we camped within half a mile of the spot
we first chose on reaching the bush, intending to wait there until
the arrival of Mr. A. J. Campbell, a gentleman well-known to most
of you, who had resolved to spend a month or two with us in North
Queensland.
(To be continued.)
GEOLOGICAL SKETCH OF SOUTH-WESTERN
VICTORIA.
By Mr. J. Dennant, Hamitton.
(Read before Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 14th Dec., 1885)
Parr Il. Upper Patanrozoirc Rocks.
A CONSIDERABLE area of ground is occupied by these rocks, but their
principal development is to the eastward, where they form extensive
mountain chains. As the traveller approaches Dunkeld from the
east, he sees the rugged outlines of the Serra Range, culminating in
the peaks of Mounts Abrupt and Sturgeon, the first of which
reaches a height of 2724 feet. From these peaks on the south, the
range extends in a north easterly direction, till it junctions with the
Grampians proper at Mt. William, 3827 feet high, being serrated
in a most regular manner for the whole distance, about thirty
miles. Going through the most southerly pass in the range, with
Sturgeon and Abrupt on either hand, another range, the Victoria,
is seen, nearly parallel with the Serra, an extensive valley of almost
flat country lying between. This range extends in a generally
north and north easterly direction for over thirty miles, as far as
the banks of the Glenelg. North of this river, however, though
much farther to the west, is the Black Range, which maintains
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 115
generally the same northerly strike as [ar as Wonwondah. West
of the Victoria Range, and about twenty miles from its most
southerly point, is a smaller one, the Dundas, with its highest peak
1535 feet above sea level, and trending towards the north west,
while in the extreme north, just on the edge of the Mallee, is the
isolated peak of Arapiles, only 1176 feet high, but nevertheless
more remarkable perhaps than any other mountain of the whole
series. It rises from the midst of an extensive tertiary plain,
apparently unconnected with any other elevation, and the observer
is surprised to find an old palaeozoic rock in such a situation. The
view from its summit can scarcely be surpassed in Victoria, the
whole of the variegated scenery of the west being visible from it.
Eastward, the horizon is bounded by the serrated chains of the
Grampians; to the north and west stretch vast plains, unbroken by
the smallest elevation; southward, the numerous lakes of the
Wimmera country dot the surface in the foreground, while beyond,
the rugged outlines of Dundas contrast strongly with rounded
volcanic hills in the far distance.
The ranges mentioned are the principal, but by no means the only
ones in this part of the district, for between Dundas and Victoria,
other minor chains of low elevation can be traced, and east of the
Serra, the Wannon is enclosed for some miles of its course by two
parallel rows of hills; in fact, by climbing any one of the principal
heights, the wave-like contour of the surface is at once apparent,
the undulations running mainly ina north and south direction.
Every one of the ranges is precipitous on one side, and gradually
sloping on the other. For the Serra, Victoria, and Arapiles, the
steep side faces the east, and for the Black and Dundas Ranges,
the west. The intervening valleys, however, are not simple
synclinal troughs, being broken by those low and now almost
obliterated chains of hills referred to. The dip is, of course, towards
the sloping side, but varies considerably both in direction and angle.
The following are observations made for some of the ranges:—
Mt. Arapiles: dip to W.S.W. at an angle of 10°.
Mt. Dundas (summit): dip to N.E. with angle as high as 30°.
Serra Range (in the pass between Sturgeon and Abrupt): dip
to W.N.W. by N., and varying in angle from 10° to 209.
It is thus seen that the dip, and therefore the strike of the
Dundas and Serra Ranges, are almost at a right angle, but the
intervening range, the Victoria, with the same general dip as the
Serra, yet varies somewhat, so that in some parts its direction
presents an approach to parallelism with that of Dundas, and these
two ranges may be the extremities of a great synclinal curve. In
the ranges which I have examined, no sign of an anticlinal fold is
visible, all breaking off abruptly on the steep side. Standing on
the top of Dundas and looking west, no other hills can be seen,
116 THE VICLORIAN NATURALIST.
and yet the descent beneath is almost perpendicular for hundreds of
feet, and concerning Abrupt and Sturgeon precisely the same thing
may be said, if one faces east instead of west; in the case of the
latter mountains, immense basaltic plains commence from their very
base, no further outcrop of sandstone strata occurring to the east
in that part of the colony.
Tt is necessary to remember that both the two generally parallel
ranges, Victoria and Serra, have their steep sides facing the east,
and yet they are only separated by ten or twelve miles of flat country,
so that when their low angle of dip, (10° to 20°), is taken into
consideration, it is evident that neither anticlinal nor synclinal curve
could ever have existed between them, and one is therefore forced to
the conclusion that the intervening valley is mainly one of
denudation, and that both ranges were originally connected, form-
ing part of one mighty mountain chain. It is probable that
atmospheric degradation first commenced in the joints of the rocks,
or along some great lines of fault. The whole series is very much
jointed, and on this account the ranges wear away rapidly, not only
on the bold rocky escarpments of their steep sides, but also on their
opposite or sloping ones, producing great cracks and fissures, which
in the course of time will widen out into deep gullies, bounded on
either side, as the Victoria Valley is, by parallel ranges of hills,
both dipping in the same direction. The actual amount of
denudation must have been enormous, for undoubtedly atl these
ranges were at one time very much higher than they are now, how
much higher can only be estimated by a series of the most careful
obseryations.
The rocks throughout the whole formation are of an eminently
sandy nature, and generally coarse grained, m some places being
much harder than in others, as at Mt. Arapiles, where they are of a
highly silicious character, and extremely hard. In all the ranges,
quartz pebbles are abundantly scattered throughout the rock masses,
and on a few of the heights, well developed, though small, erystals
of quartz may occasionally be found. In many places, especially in
the Victoria Range, the rocks split very readily, furnishing excellent
materials for flagging, &c. Owing to the iron which most of the
rocks contain, they have generally a rusty, stained appearance, but
in some localities this ingredient is wholly absent, and then they are
of a white colour, and if fine enough in grain, pass into a beautiful
freestone. This is the case at the base of Mt. Abrupt, where
quarries have been opened, from which a most valuable building
stone is obtained. The handsome spire of the Anglican Church at
Hamilton is constructed of this stone, and after many years of
exposure does not show the slighest stain of iron oxide. The
stone, I am told, is easily worked when fresh from the quarry, and
as it exists in inexhaustible abundance, at a distance of only three
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST ity
miles from a railway station, it ought in the future to be largely
used in the principal public buildings of Victoria.
Near Balmoral, there is an outcrop of the rock, very hard and
coarse in texture, but of a pure white color, and so much resembling
limestone in appearance as easily to deceive unpractised eyes. One
individual actually went to the expense of quarrying the stone and
burning it, expecting to get lime for building purpuses, but he was
considerably astonished to find on opening his kiln, that his stone,
instead of being soft and powdery, was harder than ever, and covered
with a glaze like that on earthenware.
So far, no trace of any fossil remains has been discovered in these
rocks, though search for them has been made ; their generally coarse
texture is certainly not favourable to the preservation of plant
impressions, and throughout the whole extent of the formation
there does not appear to be a single band of limestone. It is
manifestly difficult to judge of the age of a formation showing no
fossils, and accordingly that of the Grampian strata is not known
with anything like certainty. They are underlaid immediately by
the silurian rocks mentioned in the preceding chapter, while above
them is a deposit, regarded as Mesozoic (oolitic) from fossil
evidence, but though the Grampian rocks must thus be younger than
the silurian, and older than the secondary formation, there is a wide
gap between two such extreme groups of strata, and the exact
position of the Grampian sandstones in the geological series remains
a problem, which must, I think, be left for further research to solve,
their classification as Upper Palaeozoic, at the head of this article,
being only provisional. Mr. Selwyn has referred strata, that he
considers similar, at Bacchus Marsh, Mansfield, &c., to a Devonian
age, owing to the plant impressions they contain. The late Rey.
W. B. Clark also inclined to the opinion that the Grampians
resemble the Devonian, or Old Red Sandstone of Europe, more
particularly, as like these, they are associated with masses of quartz
porphyry.
Although the ranges I have quoted are the only ones now to be
seen in this district, there is evidence of the formation having had
a much greater extension in former times. From Arapiles to the
South Australian border is now a vast plain, but at Mortat, about
twenty-five miles west of this mountain, exactly the same kind of
stone is found just below the surface, and has been quarried for
building purposes ; again at Mooree, fully thirty miles N.W. of
Dundas, Grampian sandstone appears in a well-marked bluff, while
farther west still, in the midst of a sandy area near Kadnook, a
slight outcrop of the same stone is again noticeable.
These patches of rock however are not after all quite so isolated as
they appear to be at first sight. If the trayeller crosses the country
in a westerly direction either from the Black range, the Dundas,
118 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
or Mt. Arapiles, at every few miles he will come across a band
of sandy, sterile country, known locally as ‘the scrub,” and
contrasting strikingly with the imtervening fertile areas. In
the county of Lowan, these desert strips of land are particularly
well marked, running in a generally north and south direction
for many miles, nearly parallel with each other. The sand
in them is very heavy, especially in places, where it seems to be
heaped up in extensive mounds, looking in the distance like walls of
ant to the dismay of the unfortunate traveller who has to pass oyer
them. The parallel lines are on the whole, continuous, few breaks
occurring, though at intervals the sand becomes much lighter.
The vegetation is of the scantiest, and confined to dwarfed,
straggling, stringy bark trees, and stunted, almost leafless shrubs.
When i in the midst of such, a lonely, dreary region, it is difficult
to realise that not far off, a complete change in the character of the
country takes place, Such is the case, howevel. and the desert
bands are bounded by areas of rich agricultural land, the value of
which is well shown by the fact of its being all selected and cultivated
while the scrubs are unoccupied and neglected. If the county map
of Lowan, showing in colour the land selected, is examined, the
extent and direction of these sandy wastes can easily be made out,
by the parallel blanks which occur, the colored portions being the
good land, and the blank strips the scrub. On going once ‘trom
Spring Hill to Maryvale, I crossed one of these belts of scrub, and
the scene was so desolate and the sand so heavy, that I cola
scarcely believe it possible that I had taken the right road.
Suddenly, however, I came into a well-grassed, fertile region, with
farm houses here and there visible—in an hour more, I was again
struggling through the sand of another and exactly similar
wilderness.
Starting from the Mallee fringe, and going southwards to the
Glenelg, the roads keep these sandy tracts almost all the way, haying
been marked out in the first instance by the early settlers, who, when
going for supplies, preferred the sand in the winter, as they thus
avoided the boggy, crab-holey ground on either side.
On the whole, these sandy belts are elevated slightly above the
adjoining country. This may be remarked of a ridge running south
from Mortat, of another a few miles to the east, and of a third in a
line with Mt. Arapiles. Between this last mountain and the Black
range, north of the Glenelg, and also between the Dundas and
Victoria ranges south of this river, similar sandy strips are met
with. In the last mentioned locality however, they are easily
accounted for, as sandstone rock crops out in their midst, In the
county of Lowan this is not often the case ; in the Mortat line, the
sandstone is below the surface ; in the Mooree and Kadnook lines
it is visible above it, though only to a slight extent. That the
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 119
sandstone of the ranges is liable to degradation and entire removal
is apparent at Mt, Arapiles, where one large portion of the mountain
has become detached, and now forms a separate rock mass, well
known under the name of the Mitre Rock, from its resemblance to a
bishop’s mitre, and between this and Arapiles proper, the main road
from Horsham to Spring Hill now runs ; to say that it is a sandy
one is unnecessary. Other smaller portions of Arapiles have also
broken off from the main mass, and itis clear that in a comparatively
short time, geologically speaking, nothing will be left of it but a
line of sandy ground ; the mountain itself is undoubtedly a mere
fragment of what it once was, the greater part having crumbled
completely away. A study of what is taking place in this miniature
range, so diminished by the degradation of ages as to be now little
more than an isolated peak, is very instructive. It is itself in the
line of one sandy strip of country, while both east and west of it
other similar bands oceue parallel with it, in some of which actual
sandstone rocks crop out ; it is moreover far removed from any other
considerable mass of sandstone, being left, as it were, an outlying
monument of mountain chains, now all but obliterated. This is not
a mere figure of speech, for it may, I think, be safely concluded that
the meridional sandy belts of Lowan and the adjacent counties are
simply the remnants of formerly existing parallel ranges of sandstone
hills, which in the lapse of ages have become entirely disintegrated ;
we are able thus to contemplate a period in the geological history of
the region when the Grampians extended much beyond their present
limits, and included at least three other distinct lines of hills lying
more to the west than any of those now remaining.
Whether these obliterated ranges were ever as high as the present
ones may be doubted. The evidence is against their having been
so, as there seems to be a gradual lessening in height towards the
west, the Serra, in the extreme cast, being the highest.
If the ranges were upheaved in successive earth waves, it is easy
to suppose that the disturbing force producing them was at its
maximum in the neighbourhood of the Serra, and gradually dimin-
ished in intensity towards the west, till it ceased altogether.
I have hitherto made no reference to the submergence of much of
the land in this province during tertiary times, but there is ample
evidence to show that such was the case to a considerable extent
throughout the counties of Follet and Lowan, marine shells of this
age haying been found not very far below the surface in many parts,
clese up to the margins of the lines of sand. I have not heard of
shells being discovered beneath the sand, and I do not think it at
all likely that they will be found there, except in isolated localities.
The submergence was only partial in Lowan, ridges of sandstone
hills having always remained beyond the reach of the waves.
On the flanks of Dundas, Victoria, and Serra, no fossils are
120 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST
found, and these ranges were certainly not submerged in tertiary
times, nor indeed was Arapiles itself, though it must haye been
surrounded | oy the miocene sea, which was there but a shallow one,
not extending to the ranges south and east of it. The near proximity
of the sea is made manifest by the finding of miocene shells at a
distance of only three miles from this mountain. During the
sinking of a well on Mr. J. Keyte’s farm, on the eastern side of
Arapiles, perfect miocene fossils were met with at a depth of seventy
feet, amongst which were Voluta anti-c’ngulata, small cowries, and
other shells similar to those of the well-known miocene beds in other
parts of Victoria. Again, in the neighbourhood of Harrow, at Tea
Tree Creek, on the margin of a belt of serub, casts of Cucullea
Corioensis, Cyprea platypiga, and numerous other tertiary fossils
occur in iron stone lying on the surface of the ground.
The areas in which tertiary fossils are abundant, are thus separated
by sandy strips of non-fossiliferous country, and the inference may,
T think, be fairly drawn, that these last represent the sites of ancient
ranges which were never entirely sunk beneath the waves of the
mgcene sea. They were most likely actual lines of low sandstone
hills rising above the waters, and forming long, narrow, rocky
islands and peninsulas on the margin of the old coast line, which
was probably not far from the present Black range on the east,
and the table-land of Dundas on the south. This table-land, from
which rises the Dundas range, must then have overlooked a wide
expanse of water to the north west, and south of it. Farther west,
there would be a gradual deepening of the ancient sea, as is shown
by the thickness of the limestone beds as the South Australian
border is reached. The Rey. J. T. Woods, in his ‘ Geological
Observations,” thinks that an arm of the sea formerly divided what
is now the continent of Australia into two parts, and that the Gulf
of Carpentaria was then connected with the Southern Ocean. The
portion of Victoria now under consideration would, of course, be its
south-eastern boundary, a view which accords thoroughly with the
position of the fossil beds occurring in it.
The relation of these to the old shore line will be more fully
treated of in the sequel, under the head of ‘ Tertiary Rocks
The waters of the miocene sea would doubtless undermine and
carry away a great part of the sandstone cliffs of the islands and
peninsulas, which, I have said, skirted the coast line, but after the
upheaval of the land had taken place, chains of hills still remained
untouched by the waves. These however, were subsequently so
completely worn down by the degrading action of the atmosphere, as to
leave nothing but non-fossiliferous strips of barren sand to mark
their former existence.
Such is the theory which I venture to propose to account for
most of the sand in this part of the colony.
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST 121
Some of it has, however, a different origin, as at Dergholm and
the surrounding area, where it arises from the decomposition of a
very coarse granite, bosses of which are in many places still left
standing. But this sand does not run in lines at all, but extends
rather in great patches, often of considerable extent ; moreover, it
has a different appearance, and when examined is seen to contain
somewhat large rounded grains of felspar (orthoclase). It does not
produce such a hopelessly barren soil as that found in the long,
parallel belts of Lowan, and the vegetation is consequently some-
what superior.
Again, in the southern parts of Follett and Normanby, true sea
sand is met with, the origin of which may be distinctly traced to
agencies now in operation on the sea shore, where great quantities
of sand have been drifted up by the waves of the Southern Ocean,
forming sand dunes all along the coast. By the gradual upheaval
of the land in the south of Victoria (which is still in progress),
successive lines of these dunes have been left, and are traceable still
for many miles from the present coast line This sand is of a
highly calcareous nature, consisting largely of broken shells, and it
is thus much more fertile than the sand of the more northern areas.
The three classes of sand which I have mentioned, are thus
actually in different parts of Western Victoria, but as the regions
in which they severally occur are almost continuous, they have been
confounded by the casual observer, and the mistake made of assign-
ing to them a similarity of origin. G) Rae
Mr. D. BEST. : » D. LeSOUEF.
Mn. C. A. TOPP, M.A. :
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discussing those special subjects in which they are mutually interested ;
ibition of Specimens ; and for promoting Observations in tLe
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The Ordinary Meetings for the reading of papers, aud exhibition of
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THE
Wictarian BMaturalixst:
Mor. Uo. No: 12, APRIL 1586. No: 28:
THE FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB OF VICYORIA.
THe monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society’s
Hall, on Monday evening, 8th March, 1886.
The president, the Rey. J. J. Halley, oveupied the chair, and
about fifty members and visitors were present.
A letter was read from the Hon. Dr. Dobson, apologising for
absence, and desiring lis paper to be postponed.
The hon. librarian acknowledged the receipt of the following
donations to the Club’s library :—
“ Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania,” for 1885,
from the Society; ‘“‘ Journal of Pharmacy,” Vol. IL, No. 2, from the
Pharmaceutical Society.
The following persons were elected members of the Club:—Mzr.
L. N. Shepherd, and Dr. Springthorpe.
Papers read:—1. By Mr. T. A. Forbes-Leith, ‘‘ Notes on the
Aquiline or Hagle family.” The author briefly described some of
the principal species of this family of birds, giving their several
habitats. He also related striking instances of their great size,
longevity, powers of sight, ete.
2. The hon. sec. read a paper by Miss F. M. Campbell, entitled
“Notes on Hdible Fungi.” The authoress having first given a
general outline of her studies respecting fungi, described in a
popular manner about ten species which are common in Victoria,
and are usually regarded as poisonous, but which, she stated, if
eaten when young and fresh, are harmless. Dried specimens of
150 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST
each kind were exhibited. The paper was very interesting, and
created some little discussion.
Mr. C. French, F.L.S., remarked in connection with the difficulty
mentioned of naming specimens, that the whole of the fungi of
Australia, (except the “micro” section) described up to date, would
be enumerated in Vol. XII. of the Fragmenta shortly to be published
by Baron von Mueller.
_ The following were the principal exhibits:—By Miss F. M.
Campbell, Victorian fungi in illustration of her paper; by Mr. J. P.
Chirnside, gum with insects imbedded from Central Africa; by Mr.
G. Coghill, orchid, Prasophyllum intricatum, in bloom; by Mr. T. A.
Forbes-Leith, a pair of Indian parrakeets, Palwornis cyanocephalus;
by Mr. C. French, four specimens of birds of paradise, Paradisea
raggiana; by Mr. R. Hall, a collection of aquatic insects; by Master
G. E. Ell, coleoptera ; by Master H. Hill, lepidoptera; by Mr. H.
Kennon, large mussel shells from Fiji; by Mr. D. MeAlpie, some
interesting anatomical specimens, comprising preparations of the frog,
portions of skeletons of the pigeon and the rabbit, with lithographed
plates of same, also a young skate with yelk-bag attached, as found in
its egg-case, commonly known as a mermaid’s purse; by Mr. J. N.
McKibbin, 170 species of coleoptera; by Mr. A. J. North, letter-
winged kite, Klanus scriptus, with egg; by Mr. F. Reader, plants
collected around Warragul; and by Mr. S. H. Wintle, F.L.S., a
large topaz, said to be the largest in the world, displaying the true
crystalline structure of the topaz, found in a tin mine in Tasmania,
three feet below the surface.
After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated.
TO WILSONS PROMONTORY OVERLAND.
By J. B. Gregory, LL.M., any A. H. S. Lucas) MCAS
Part 4.
:
Tne silted and sanded up embouchures of the Derby and Tidal
Rivers afforded a home for colonies of plants which we did not see
elsewhere. We had first at the entrance of the Derby to fight our
way through a tangle of tall and thickset bushes of Styphelia Richer,
and Lwocarpus cupressiformis, which were in berry, and furnished
the only edible fruits which Nature provided for us in our journey.
The Victorian Bush is as inhospitable as its settlers of all classes
are hospitable. Stout bushes of Aster glutescens, Cryptandra Hookert,
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 151
and Alyaia buxzfolia also barred the way, and where the bushes were
less dense, the deep, fine, loose sand made progress in a hot sun
difficult. Once through the shore-belt and sand-hummiocks however
we came out on an open flat, which, extending on one side to the
river, afforded a good camping ground.
Here we were charmed by the brilliant racemes of Swacnsonta
lessertifolia, of deep blue-purple. A humbler congener, Lotus
australis, was in full flower. If we are to accept recent views of the
development of color in plants, we should expect to find the mauve
flowers of the Australian Lotus more dependant upon insect agency
than the yellow flowers of L. cormeulatus, so abundant in English
meadows. And the Swainsoniasyyet more entomophilous. But we
had to hurry on, and could obtain no satisfactory evidence during
our midday halt. The ground was in places carpeted with a little
Goodeniaceous plant, Scevola pallida, of a very social habit, and
bearing delicate pale lilac flowers.
A granite spur from the main mass of the Promoutory projects
northward, and parts the sea from the low marsh and pasture lands
of the winding Derby River. We wound our way along the inland
flanks of this spur, and commanded thence an excellent view of
the river flats. Here we disturbed some King Parrots, and listened
to the marsh birds, thinking of old times in the English Fens, as
“bittern boomed and coot clanked.”
Further on we reached the main mass of granite, and by a pass
over Mount Bishop, again made the sea- shore in one of the Western
Bays. On our way we gathered late blooms of Correa speciosa, of
the handsome yariety in which the tube of the corolla has acquired a
red coloration, the limb remaining green. Bushes of Calycothria
tetragona, covered some with white, others with pink blooms, made
the slores gay between the gigantic bosses.
Mr, Gregory has mentioned our climb of Mt. Oberon. Black
stumps of Yanthorrhea major, were prominent objects and obstacles
to fully 1500 feet above the sea. There was, however, no serious
difficulty in the ascent. We had to skirt the projecting smooth
masses of granite, which shouldered us off, and managed to pull
ourselves up in a nearly vertical crack in the face of the most
awkward. The highest point had to he stormed through a brake of
tall, closely set saplings, in which [found a nest with young birds,
and then a climb up bare rocks set us on the summit. ‘Ihe heat of
the fiercely shining sun was our most serious hindranee in the
struggle up. Atthe very top grew freely two interesting Myrtaceous
plants, Awnzea corifolia, and Callistemon -salignus, which also
occurred at the very tip of the light-house spur. The white Lvid,
Diplarrhena Morea, appeared generally distributed over the mountain,
152 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
and Aster stellulatus showed its variability of form, appearing on
the heights and at the sea-shore. After taking in full draughts of
the fresh, cold air, and as much of high sentiment as the situation
supplied, we turned to the descent. We found water in a huge,
natural, granite basin, but this, though clear, was brackish through
excess of evaporation. It was interesting as furnishing a station
suitable for a green Alga, (Prasiola or Enteromorpha), which had
somehow manaped to ood it out and reach it even at this height.
We presently ‘obtained drinkable water oozing out im a spring.
This from its first appearance we traced, as a simple rill, then down
an alarming succession of waterfalls, until it opened out in a gully
and at last entered the sea. As the fall was some 1800 feet, and
the distance from the sea not much more than a mile, our little
stream led us a considerable chase. In some places indeed, it seemed
to lead where. man might not follow. Though water finds, no doubt,
the shortest course down a mountain side, it is generally the
shortest in point of time for water, but mt for man. In fact, we
should haye got down more quickly had we returned by the way we
took in the ascent.
Mount Wilson and. Mount Latrobe are heavily timbered, and
though somewhat higher than Mount Overon, would hardly repay
the much greater ‘orl of their ascent, for there can be no such
lock-out from the summit of either as we obtained from that of
Oberon. The panorama of land and water, island cape and_ bay,
forest-clad hill and river flat, all yiewed from such a high point of
vantage: this can perhaps only be surpassed in these regions by the
view from Mount Wellington, in Tasmania, of the Derwent Hs stuary,
the Western Mountais, and the long Peninsulas of the South East,
with the town of Hobart in ‘contrast to the wildness of all
surrounding Nature.
I shall not easily forget the weird quiet of our night encampments
on the Tidai River, and at the foot of Martin’s Hill. As we
walked up the left bank of the former stream in search of a
camping ground which would satisfy all requisites, we found
abundance “ot water-fowl, swan and duck, on one of the expansions
of the river. We had now moonlight nights, aud the outlook was
sublime. We were in a small plain, shut in landwards by a hard
granite semi-circle, with the higher peaks in the back-ground, and
with the beating of the surf and roar of the breakers a “quarter of a
mile on the other side. Yet, sheltered by a line of sand-lhummocks
and a growth of young Eucalypts, we were comfortable enough m
our tent, and far from human aid or interference passed a peaceful
New Year's Eve. At the foot of Martin’s Hill, a huge owl came
and perched on the telegraph pole adjoining our camp. I think
it must have been a specimen of the Powerful Owl.
THE VICLORIAN NATURALIST. 153
Martin’s Hillis the north ascent of a granite plateau, which, with
the exception of the narrow and lower spur which forms the light-
house foreland, constitutes the southern extremity of the Promontory.
The climb was a steep one and one could not but marvel at the.
sagacity and dexterity of our pack-horse. He performed many
gymnastic feats during our tramp, but I think his ascent of that
harsh, and steep, and insecure hill-front beat all the rest. Once up,
however, and the rest of the eight miles to the light-house was easy
work. On the brow of the hil, Gompholobium Huegelit, and G
minus grew together in abundance. We came across three specimens
of the blue-tongued lizard, Cyclodus gigas, two on this part of our
journey. One was feeding ona fungus, the other apparently on a
dead bird. They are easy enough to catch, of course, but we carried
no means of preserving them. So with the Echidna; we disturbed
three of these ant-eaters and made them burrow to amuse us, but
did not bring away more than a few spines as_ trophies. Amonest
birds we noted the Blue Mountain Parrot, the Cockatoo Parrot,
flocks of the little Love Birds, and a number of Parrakeets, which I
am quite unable toname. Atthe mouth of one of the creeks we found
fresh emu tracks on our return. While collecting shells on some
rocks which ran out into the sea on the seven mile stretch of sand, I
noticed a small heron standing near me, and ever and again darting
on some victim. 1 had not before made the acquaintance of a sea-
heron, and watched him for some time. Wallabies occasionally
bounded away from us, startled at our approach. The sportsman
has not yet made the Promontory desolate, and the native inhabitants
can still be observed, undisturbed in their proper hauuts.
Near the lighthouse I found several everlastings. Helichrysum
lucidum grew magnificently. H. obtwsifolium occurs here, but does
not reach Tasmania. H. dealbatum, however, is found across the
Straits. I have already mentioned H. Baxteri as extending only to
the neck of the Promontory, and I am informed by Baron yon
Mueller that it had not been observed so far south before. The
flora of the Promontory is especially intéresting im its relation to
the distribution of plants. for here we have the land of the continent
which most nearly approaches Tasmania. I must here record my
obligations and thanks to Baron von Mueller, to whom I submitted
many of my specimens, and whose determinations of difficult species,
render this paper trustworthy in its record of plants.
Among the huge granite boulders of this iron coast, and in
crevices and caves of the rocky cliffs, grow numbers of specimens of
Asplenium marinum, which we had gathered in similar situations in
Guernsey and Cornwall. It was,indeed astonishing to fird this
plant world-wide in its distribution, and to reflect that it has its
habitat, as it were, scarcely on land and scarcely in sea, occupying
Ijat THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST
as it does, but a narrow slip of vertical or cverhanging cliff, and
watered by the spray of the tumultuous waves. Surely here is one
of the most remarkable of the phenomena of distribution, the
conditions of life so restricting, yet the plant so widely spread.
We collected vigorously during our scanty time on the shore of
the lighthouse peninsula, and also whenever opportunity presented
elsewhere during our expedition. The most interesting among the
Mollusca was WNatica Incez, which has not been found on the
Victorian coast before, though recorded from New South Wales.
Triton cutaceus, (if we may trust Mr. Tenison- Wood's identification
of the European species with our own), Donax deltocdalis, Cassidaria
undulata, and the more common open sea forms were collected.
The Donaxz.was persecuted alike by the Vaticas and by a multitude
of sea-birds. the number of shells bored or broken across being
extraordinary. At the crossing of Serew Creek, Ophiocardelus
corneus, and Ampuliarina fragilis, (probably a less robust estuarine
form of A. Quoyl), were seen in great numbers. Several star—fish
were obtained, some not yet described, one of which Prof. MeCoy
informs me is in the hands of Prof. Agassiz.
In conclusion, we may safely commend the Promontory as full of
interest to naturalists of all persuasions. Practically inaccessible
as it is at present, we believe that a future yet awaits it as a
summer haunt of lovers of nature, lovers of scenery. In many
respects alike, we prophecy that as the Cornish Peninsula was late to
be discovered by tourists, not many generations will pass before
means of communication will enable Victorians to find out and do
justice to this noble granite Promontory, the Cornwall of Victoria.
NOTES ON THE HABITS OF NATIVE BIRDS.
By I. Barry, Sunspury.
(Read before the Field Naturalists’ Clubof Victoria, Jan. 18th, 1886)
Part 2. Cockatroos ann Magepirs.
Cocxatoos having once learned what a gun can do, show talent
of a high order when ravaging a newly sown grain paddock. From
their mode of conducting operations, they seem to possess a
reasoning faculty rather than common instinct. When feeding,
several sentries are posted so advantageously, that it is almost an
inpossibility for the cleverest sneaker to get within shot of the
flock. The vigilance of the sentries is truly surprising, for if
THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 155
danger is lurking about, on the slightest intimation of it, the
watchers give the alarm cry, which is at once responded to by the
whole flock taking flight. Another curious fact in connection with
the sentries, is, that they are relieved at intervals by fresh birds
from the main body, who take up the watch, while the others go to
feed.
On a certain occasion, I satisfied myself that if these birds settle
down with danger in their midst, unknown to them, they do not
seek for it there. This day I was lying in wait under a thick bush,
within shot of a tall gum-tree, that they used to perch upon before
visiting an adjacent oat paddock. Having waited a little time,
they came soaring up the creek, near enough for me to secure one
with each barrel, but I wanted more than that. They pitched in
the paddock, about 160 yards away in a straight line from where I
was concealed. Sentries were set as usual, on trees near enough to
be reached with a wire cartridge. Having reflected a while, L
resolved to effect a sneak upon the main body. From the nature
of the ground, I was compelled to adopt a devious course to reach
my quarry. To commence, I had to go down a grassy bank for
about thirty yards. The herbage, though fairly long, was not
sufficiently high to screen me from the sentinels, and if I slid down
on my back as I proposed, I should be in full view of those feeding.
However, I had little fear, as [ knew they were too busy to
notice me. Holding the gun close to my body, and lying on my
back, I “snaked” rayself feet foremost down to the creek, where
there was a capital fringe of bushes, and shallow water for wading.
Here I was out of view of all parties, so, removing my boots and
socks, I travelled noiselessly up stream. "Presently the cover began
to get thinner, as I caught occasional ghmpses of the watchers, and
at last ceased altogether. Having accurately marked the place
where the birds were feeding, I ne I had some distance yet to go,
even to get a long shot. In front of me wasa nearly perpendicular
bank just about breast high, cut away by the floods, and in full
view of the sentries in the backwoods above. There was only one
way of getting over the intervening twenty or thirty yards, and that
was to © flatten” myself along the bank in sight of the watchers,
this I managed successfully, “and getting a good shot, secured six
birds. Tiana the foregoing, I think it is mien that the sentries
direct their vision to the outer part of the circle they are set to watch
over, otherwise it would have been an utter
impossibility for me to
have circumvented them.
Another very striking action on the part of the white cockatoo,
is the sending out cf scouts for the purpose of investigating the
food supply of a district. Persons like myself, who have spent the
whole of their days in the bush, and possess some powers of
156 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.
observation, have unlimited opportunities for noting the peculiarities
of birds. Thus, when I see half a dozen cockatoos, or more often
a single one, pattering to and fro, as if on a general ramble, I can
safely predict, that, provided the spies report favorably, before a
week expires the grand horde will appear. It seems perfectly plain
to me, and those who are versed in bird lore will doubtless agree,
that those birds are sent for the benefit of the general common weal.
If they went voluntarily, selfishness would prompt them to settle
down for the purpose of enjoying the first fruits of their discovery.
This of itself is wonderful, but the most mysterious part of the
proceeding to the tyro, is, how the messengers are able to deliver a
correct statement of the food supply of the district they have visited.
As I before stated, the vocabulary of the crow consists of the word
‘caw’ with its various modulations, which convey an infinite number
of meanings. The language of the cockatoo is more e»pious,
embracing, to my mind, fully six words, if not more. This, taken
with the fact that the cockatoo is naturally a more intelligent bird
than the crow, seems to show that their acts are regulated more by
pure reason than by instinct. It appears clear to me that the spies
are sent out for a specific purpose by their comrades, and that they
clearly understand the instructions they receive, and these they
seem to carry out honestly, and furnish correct accounts of what
has come under their ken.
Furthermore, the intelligence of the cockatoo is progressive. In
this old settled district they are the hardest birds I know of to
work round on, from their habit of placing sentries. Years ago
when I resided upon the Lower Murrumbidgee, they never had
watchers stationed on trees. The reason this precaution was not
taken there, was because no person thought it worth while to waste
powder and shot upon them. The best way to get at cockatoos, is
to mark the tree in which they roost, and then, provided you do
not go to it in the early part of the night, you can get a slaughtering
shot at them.