l/ FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY OPHE Victorian Naturalist: THE JOURNAL & MAGAZINE OF THE 5.0(o(9^^.^"^ E t^Iri Ictttiplbb' iM of l^wlana. TOI.. ^:^X:TII, MAY, 1920, TO APRIL, 1921. 1bOn. :EOitOr : MR. F. Q. A. BARNARD. The Author of each Article is responsible for the facts and opinions recorded. /ITS e I b 0 u r n c : WALKER, MAY & CO., PRINTERS, 429-431 BOURKE-STREET 1921. ^a -?S'is^-Xoi2^^1 THE VICTOEIAN NATURALIST. MAY, 1920, to APRIL, 1921. CONTENTS. FiiiLu Naturalists' Club of \'ictorl\ : — pack Annual Report - - - - - 41 Exhibition of Wild-flowers - - - - 82 Proceedings 1, 9, 23, 39, 51, 07, 79, 91, 103, 11,"), 123, 135 Reports of Excursions 2, 23, 39. 40, G8, 79, 81, 95, 103. 104, 123 ORIGINAL PAPERS. AuDAS. J. W., F.L.S.— Through the :Murra Murra Country (Western Grampians) - - - 59 Barnard, F. G. A. — The Field Naturalists' Club of Vic- toria, 1905-20 : a Retrospect - - 71 BiiST. D.— To the Alps for Colcoptera - - - 85 CHAP^L•\,^•. F., A.L.S. — A Sketch of the Geological History of Australian Plants : The Cainozoic I'^lora (with three plates) - - - 115, 127 GouDiK, J. C. — Notes on the Coleoptera of North- western Victoria ; Part VIII. - - 2S GouDiE, J. C— Three Anglers at the Murray - - 137 Keartland, G. a. — Some Introduced Animals - - 97 Pescott, E. E., F.L.S., and French, C, jun. — On Four Orchids New for Victoria - - - 107 Pescott. E. E.. F.L.S. — Notes on the Orchids of Victoria 109 Shearsbv. a. J.. F.R.M.S. — Notes on the Occurrence of Recent Travertin Formations in Oaky and Ravenswood Creeks, near Yass, N.S.W. (with three plates) - - - - 35 Spencer. Sir Baldwin, K.C.M.G.. F.R.S.. D.Sc— The Necessity for an Immediate and Co-ordinated Investigation into the Land and Fresh- water Fauna of Australia and Tasmania - 120 Weindorfer, G.. and Francis, G. — Wild Life in Tas- mania - - - - - 5, 12 INDEX. INDEX. Acacia discolor Acrcea andromaclui - Alps. Coleoptcra at - Animals. Introduced PAGE - 124 - 5.3 - 85 - 97 Arachnid. A Rare - - 38 Atkinson. The late E. D. 134 Audas, J. W., F.L.S.— Through the ^lurra Murra Country (Gram- pians) . - - oU Audas. J. W., F.L.S.— Through the Balan- gum Ranges and at Rose's Gap (Gram- pians) - - - 135 Austral Avian Record, The 101. 122 Australian I'lowcrs, Paint- ings of - - - 3 Australian IMants, Geo- logical History of 115, 127 Barnard. Mr. F. G. A. - 69 Barnard. F. G. A.— Field Naturalists' Club, 1905-20 : a Retro- spect - - III, 71 Bastow, The laic R. A. 27 Bcndigo, Excursion to - 95 Best, D.— To Alps for Coleoptera - - 85 Birds' Eggs, Drawings of .\uslralian - - \93 Black Rock, I'xcursion to (58 Black Snail - - - 53 Booth. The late .Mr. J., .M.C.i:.. B.Sc. - - .50 Boronia. ICxcursion to - (iS lioronia pinnata. Oil from 34 Botanical (iardens, l*!xcur- sion to - - - 2 liotrychium lernalum.Hwi/-. 135 Bower-bird, The Satin - 140 Broun. The late Caj)!. T. 133 Bulla-Sydenham, Physi- ography of - - J 02 Bui)restidai - - - 29 Butterfly, Bordered Sul- phuV - - - 93 Bull'rfly, Che(|ucred Swal- low-tail - - 53, !»3 Butterfly, Glass-wing Butterfl}', Lesser Wanderer Butterfly. Mistletoe Blue Cainozoic Flora, The 115, Caladenia alba, R. Br. Caladenia Cairnsiana, F. V. M. - . - Caladenia cardiochila, Tate Caladenia cordiformis , Rogers - . - Caladenia deformis Caladenia Rogers Cat, The - Cat-fish - Cetonides Chapman, Honour Chapman, Sketch iridescctis. A.L.S. PAOK 53 93 70 127 107 108 108 107 69 107 99 125 28 F to - - 10 F., A.L.S., of Geological History of /Xustralian Plants - - 115, 127 Christmas-tree, Western Australian - - 100 Coghill, I'rescnlaf ion to Mr. G. - - - lt» Coleoptera at Alps - - 85 Coleoptera of .\.\V. \'ic- toria - - 3, 28 Common Native Cat - 18 Copidoglanis tandanus, Mitch. - - - 125 " Critical Revision of Genus Eucalyptus " - 142 riow-Shrikc, Sof)ty - 20 Danaus petilia, Stoll. - 93 Dasyurits maculatus, Kerr 17 Dasyurus viverrimns. Shaw 18 Deer - - - - loo Diamond Creek, ICxcur- sion to - - - 68 ICgg Collecting ], 9. 23, 39. 67 ICmerald. l£xcursion to - 104 Eucalyptus calophylla, R. Br. - - - - 142 Eucalyptus ficifolia, F. v. M. - - - - 142 Eucalyptus viaculala, Hook, \ ar. citriodura, F. v . M. 142 Fan tails and Magpies - 105 IxNDEX. Fauna of Australia, Land and Fresh-water Ferguson, Sir Ronald Munro Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 1905-20 : a Retrospect Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria — Annual Report Excursions — Bendigo - - - Black Rock Boronia - - . Botanical Gardens 2, Diamond Creek Emerald - - . Evelyn to Mooroolbarl Fitzroy Gardens Geological Museum - Langwarrin Eerderderg Lilydale - . . National Herbarium - National Museum " Ripponlea " - Rosebud (Dromana^ - Studlev Park - Walhaila - Exhibition of Wild- flowers - - - Financial Statement History : 1905-20 Office-bearers , 1 920-2 1 Presidential Address Proceedings 1, 9, 23, 39, 07, 79, 9E 103, 115, I'itzroy Gardens, Excur- sion to - Flinders Chase, Kangaroo Island, S.A. Flora, The Cainozoic 115, Flowers, Longevity of Cut 102, Flowers, Paintings of Aus- . tralian Fortieth Anniversary of F.N. Club Fox, The Foxes at Phillip Island Fungus, A New I'AGE 120 58 71 41 95 68 68 123 68 104 40 103 40 79 91 39 40 40 2 23 39 123 82 46 71 48 54 , 51, 123, 135 103 66 127 106 3 10 99 1, 9 91 Garden, Mr. J. Watson's, Balwyn - - - 49 Gardening Btilletin, The - 65 Geological History of Aus- tralian Plants - 115, 127 Glance, Mr. W. - - 51 Goudie, J. C. — Coleoptera of N.W. Victoria 3, 28 Goudie, J. C. — Three Anglers at the Mur- ray - - - 69, 137 Grampians, The Western 59 Gum, The Scarlet - - 142 Gum, The Lemon-scented - 142 Hare, The - - - 98 Honour to Mr. F. Chap- man, A.L.S. - - 10 Jay, Black - - - 20 Kangaroo, The - - 5 Kangaroo Island, S.A. - 66 Keartland, G. A. — Some Introduced Animals - 97 Kelly, The late W. T. C. 8 Lake Hattah Bird Sanc- tuary - - 69, 79 Langwarrin, Excursion to 79 Lerderderg, Excursion to - 39 Lilj-dale, Excursion to - 91 Livistona austvalis - - 105 Longevity of Cut Flowers 102, 106 Lyre-birds - - - 141 Macropus Billurdieri, Dcs. 7, 12 Madden, The late Sir Frank, K.B. - - 126 Magpies and Fantails - 105 Mamestra eivingi - - 93 " Manual of Birds of Aus- tralia " - - - ];{4 Map of Yan Yean - - 114 Moon wort - - - 135 Morialta F"alls Reserve, S.A. - - - - 134 ;\Ioth, Cut-Worm - - 93 Mount Buffalo Park - 124 Murra Murra Country, The 59 Murray, Three Anglers at - - - 69, 137 Mutton-Birds - - -1,9 Nalica, The Cummon - :{ National Museum, Visit to 40 INDEX. PAGK 21 21 100 70 114 A to Nature Study Nesting Place. A Strange Xnylsia ftoribunda, R. Br. Ogyris olane . . . Orchid. Blotched Sun Orchid. Blue Fairy. Yellow Orchid. New Victorian Orchid Records, New Orchids, Four, New Victoria - - - Orchids. New Species Orchids. Victorian - Palms at Cabbage-tree Creek Pap>ilio stheueliis. .Macl. 33,93 Parvp/iuiiia atramentaria - 53 Pescolt. E. E.. F.L.S.. and French, C, jun. — Four Orchids New for Victoria Pescott, E. E.. F.L.S.— Orchids of Victoria - I'halanger, Tasmanian I'halanger. Tasmanian King-tailed Phillip Island. Foxes at - Photograph. Mashlight, of 40th Anniversary Physiography of Bulla, cS-c. Plants, Jicndigo Plants. Cieological History of Australian - 115, I'ossum, Brush Possum. Ring-tailed Prasophyllum liraineamnn liogers Presentation to Mr. (i. Coghill I'ristis Cudmurei, Chap. - I'seiidochirus conki, Des. - Puccitiia ikirduipvcnocephali \)\ PnltenaM. The (;cnus <)0, 135 Queensland Xalura/tst. Tlir 05 Rabbit, The - - - 1>7 ■' Ripi)onlca." ICxcursion to - - - 2 Rosebud (Dromana;, Vl\- cursion to - - 23 G9 IOC 13() 107 110 109 - 105 107 109 15 12 1. 9 10 102 90 127 15 12 - 100 10 125 12 Saccardo, The late Prof. P. Science at Ciovernnicnt House Science in New Zealand - Shearsby, A. J. — Recent Travertin near Yass, N.S.W. South Australian Natural- ist, The - - - Spencer, Sir Baldwin. K.C.M.G. - Spencer, Sir Baldwin — Inquiry into Land and P'resh- water Fauna of Australia and Tas- mania Strepera fulif;i)iosa. Gould Sludlc\' Park, l^vcursion to' - - - - Swallows Nesting - 70, 5:5wallows Roosting - Sweet, The late G., F.G.S. Tasmania, Wild Life in ." 'J'erias smilax. Don. Thelymitra fusco-liitea. R. Br. - - - - Tiger Cat Tra\'ertin. Yass - - - - Tree-Ferns. Seedling Trichosuriis vulpecula. \ai-. fuliginosus. Ogilby N'ictoria. Coleoptcra t)f X.W. - - 3, X'ictorian Orcliid, A New N'ictorian Orchids Walhalla, ICxcursion to Wallabv, Rulous-bellicd 7, Watts,' The late Rev. W. W. Weindorfer and I"rancis -Wild Life in Tas- mania - - 5, Wild-flower Exhibition Wild Life in Tasmania 5, Wood-Swallow's Nest Yi\n Yean. Military ."Ni;))) of - - - PAGE 90 58 102 Recent, near 35 GO 8 120 20 3!) 105 70 2 i. 17 93 114 17 35 105 15 2S 100 109 123 12 92 17 90 17 21 114 INDRX. ILLUSTRATIONS. Massive Travertin, Oaky Creek, N.S.W. - - - 35 Travertined Roots of Sheokes, Oaky Creek, N.S.W. - 35 Stalactitic Travertin, Oaky Creek, N.S.W. - - .30 Sir Ronald Craiifurd Munro Ferguson, P.C, G.C.jNI.G. - 39 Blotched Sun Orchid - - - - - 108 Broad-lipped Orchid - - - - - 108 Large Tongue Orchid - - - - - 109 Small Tongue Orchid - - - - - 109 Elbow Orchid - - - - - - 109 Australian Palaeozoic Plants .... 132 Australian ^Mcsozoic Plants - - - - - 132 Australian Cainozoic Plants , . . . 13;} ERRATA. Page .39 — Title of plate should read " Sir Ronald Craufurd Munro Ferguson. "- On page 125, line G — For " Copidiglanis'" read " Copidoglanis.'- Cbe Ulctorian naturallsi Vol. XXXVII.— No. 1. MAY 6, 1920. No. 437. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VTCTORTA. The ordinary monthly meeting of tlio Chih was lielcl ;it tlio Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, I2th April, 1920. The president, Mr. A. I). Hardy, F.L.S., occupied the chair, and about sixty members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From Colonel J. M. Scmmens, Chief Inspector of Fisheries and Game, acknowledging a request from the Club that the bonus offered by the t)epartment for the destruction of foxes on Phillip Island should be increased, and stating that the request could not be complied with. He pointed out difficulties which would arise if the request were granted, and stated that he had arranged for a fox drive to take place about the middle of April, which, he trusted, would be well supported by the local residents. The departmental inspectors reported that there was no appreciable diminution in the numbers of Mutton- birds visiting the island. Mr. J. Gabriel did not think the pi'oposed dri\'e would achieve what it was expected to do. Mr. C. J. Gabriel was of opinion tliat the foxes have lessened the number of Mutton-birds. On the motion of Messrs. H. ]>. Williamson and C. Dale3^ it was resolved that consideration of the letter l)e held over until next meeting, with the view of getting further information on the questions raised. From Colonel J. M. Semmens, Chief Inspector of Fisheries and (rame, asking the Club's opinion as to the desirableness of ceasing to issue permits for the collection of the eggs of protected birds for scientific purposes. Mr. C. French, jun., spoke strongly against issuing further permits, giving particulars of certain instances of the export of specimens which had come under his notice, and moved — "That protected birds and their eggs be allowed to be exported only through the National Museum." This was seconded by Mr. C. L. Barrett, C.M.Z.S., who also spoke of the dangi;r to our native birds under the present system. Messrs. I). Best and J. Searle supported the motion. Mr. G. A. Keartland said that much destruction was caused among the smaller insectivorous birds by the actions of persons who, in setting snares by means of- bird-liivie for goldfinches, caught many other kinds of birds, which were ;iIIowih1 to perish. This practice was particularl\- ramiKuit in localities adjacent to the Whittlesea railway line. 2 Field Niilufdlis/s' Club— Proceedings. [vl'x'xxvii- On turllRT discussion Messrs. I'rmili .ind l'.,inrlt iillncd their motion, postponing tlu' nudttr until next nuctini;, wliicli was carried. REPORTS. A report of the visit to the Botanical Gardens on Saturday- 13th March, was given by Mr. F. Pitclier, wlio said that there was a large attendance of members, who were greatly indebted to the director, Mr. J. Cronin, F.R.H.S.. for a very interesting afternoon. The time was devoted iMincipally to the horti- cultural side of botany, Mr. Cronin pointing out how garden flowers were propagated and improved, illustrating his remarks from a large collection of seedling dahlias, many of which were of distinctive character. During an inspection of the propa- gating sheds and houses and the stove-house many other jioints were brought under the notice of the sisitors, who e\inced great interest in Mr. Cronin's remarks. A report of the Easter excursion to Rosebud, near Dromana, 2nd to Otii April, was given by the leaders, Messrs. C. Dah-y, B.A., and J. (iabriel. The former dealt with the general results of the excursion, which, though interesting and \'er\' enjoyable, did not add much to the generally known natural history of the district. Mr. J. Gabriel made some reinarks about the polyzoa noted, of which a good collection had been made in a couple of hours on the ocean beach at Cape Schanrk. A report of the excursion to " Ripponlea," on Saturd;i\', loth April, was given by Mr. I'. Pitcher, wIio reported a largi- attendance of members. Owing to the kindness of Mr. H. Nathan's representatives, the members had been able to spend the whole afternoon at " Ripponlea," where Mr. Orchard, the head gardener, kindly took charge of the jiarty, and, after a general ramble through the grounds, tiie oi( hid houses wen* visited, where a number of these remarkable plants were si-en in bloom. The visit concluded with an insi^eetion of the largi' conservatory, one of tin; linest in Australia, which contains large numl)ers of ran- and handsom(> jilants (»f a great varic>ty of genera. C.F.NFR.M. BL'SINESS. The i)resident drew attention to the great loss the ( lub had sustained by the deatiis, since the last meeting, of Mr. (i. Sweet, F.Ci.S., and Mr. W. T. C. Kelly. The former had been a member ff»r a long j)eriod, ;ind in earlier years had takiMi some part in the work of the ( hii) as leader of excursions, ike. Mr. Kelly was a recent membei, but he had evinced consider- able interest in the Club, and in {)ctol)er last had invited the members to his country house at ICvelyn to see his garden of scj-nt -producing plants. On tlu- motioif of Messrs. V. Pit( her and J. (.;d»ii, the April Naturalist could not be published, and at present it VN'as impossible to say when puI)lication would be resumed. The chairman announced that Professor W. E. Agar, M.A., D.Sc, the recently-appointed Professor of Biology at the University, would deliver his inaugural lecture in the biology theatre on Wednesda,y, 21st April. Tickets of admission could be obtained on application to him. The chairman said that he thought a limit should be put on the length of excursion reports, and that he intended to bring the question before the committee at its next meeting. The chairnian asked Professor Ewart, as chairman of the Plant Names Committee, if anything definite had been done as to the publication of the list of vernacular names of Victorian plants, for which a sum of money was in hand from the last exhibition of wild-flowers. Professor Ewart said that, owing to various reasons, no scheme had yet been adopted, but he anticipated being able to report on a definite plan at an early date. REMARKS ON EXHIBITS. Mr. E. Pitclier called attention to a series of twentj'-fivc framed water-colour drawings of Australian flowers by Miss A. Euller. The commission to execute these — which were intended, liy an anonymous donor, for presentation to the Children's Hospital — had resulted from an appreciation of Miss EuUer's work as seen at the last exhibition of wild- flowers. Mr. C. J. (jal:)riel called attention to his exliil)it of the method of depositing its eggs by the common Natica, which he had secured recently at Portland. PAPERS. I. By Mr. J. C. Cioudie, entitled " Notes on the Coleoptera of North-Western Victoria," part viii. The author dealt with al)out fifty species of the Buprestid family, including some of the largest and rarest of Victorian species. He mentioned that one of the largest species, TheiHognatha {Stigmudcra) hcros, (iehin., is fn-cjuentiy attacked by a large " robber fly," PhcUiis '^laiicii^, which, catching the beetles on the wing, drives its dagger-like proboscis deep into the soft integument Ix'twccn the prothorax and the elytra, then. c;irr\ing the beetle to some convenient pkice, sucks its victim di\-. J»\- the kindness of Mr. J. A. Kershaw, I'\E-.S., Curntor of tlu^ National Museum, a ease of Victorian J-Juj^resticke was on exhibition, containing most of tiie species enumerated by Mr. Goudie, as well as a specimen of the " robber fly " mentioned. 4 Field Naliu'cilisls' Club — Proceedings. [vok'xxxvii. 2. An exhibition of lantern slides dealing with geological features near Mell)ourne, eSrc, was made by Messrs. C. A. Lambert and F. Chapman. A.L.S. The former exhibited slides illustrating the recent Club excursion to the " Organ Pipes," near Sydenham, which included also the kaolin (juarries near Bulla and a view of the deep valley of the Maril)yrnong River. A view of the (iiants' Causeway (Ireland) was inchuk-d as a contrast to the basaltic columns at Sydenliani. Uw lattt-r lieing very much higher l)ut not so extensive. Mr. l-". Chapman exhibited slides of geological features at Surrev Hills and Mont Albert, also of the Lilydale limestone quarry, in illustration of the excursion arranged for the fol- lowing Saturday. Owing to tiie lateness of the liour, Mr. 11. 15. Wilhamson's sUdes descriptive of the Mallacoota country were iield over. EXHIBITS. Jjy .Mr. 1". (r. \. Barnard. — Solvsbergite, from Brock's Monument, a lull near Romsey, about 3,000 feet above sea- level — a rare form of volcanic rock in Victoria. By Mr. F. Chapman," A.L.S. — Examples of Lilydale fossils likely to be met with during excursion on 17th inst. B\' Mr. F. Cudmore. — Teeth of extinct sharks — Carcluwudvii iiiegalodini, frcjm England, America, and Crippsland, V^ictoria ; f\ lutricidutiis, from Gippsland and Crassatclla Bed, Table Cape, Tasmania. By Mr. C. Dak'y, F.L.S. — Sjxcimens showing the dis- integration of hard, dense basalt into soft white clay, owing to atmospheric and chemical action, from Cape Schanck ; also gypsum, from same locality, obtained during li^aster excursion. j^y Mr. J. (iabriel. — Marine alg.c from Rosebud and Bryo/oa fr(jm Cape Schanck, (jbtained during tlu; ICastir excursion. By Mr. C. J. (jabriel.- -Marine sliells from Portland, Vic, including Turbo griiiieri, Phil., and Tclliiia alhtiidla, Lam. By Mr. J. A. Kersliaw, l-'.lvS., on behalf of National Museum. — Case of about in) species ol Victorian ]^)Ui)rcstid beetles, including most (tf the species enumerated in Mr. J. C. (ioudie's paper on the Coleoj)ttra of Xorth-W'est Victoria, read at same meeting ; also a large Robber-lK , I'/ivlliis jj^lamits, from North- West Victoiia. jjy Mr. C..Ok<;. hirdlics, hiclles belonging to the laniily Lampyrid.'c, which i;niit bright bluish light from the abdomen, from liastern I'nited States; ph<»tographs of trees encasi;d in ice, taken in Washington Park, .Albany. r.S..\. in this case flu- rain froze as soon as it touched the object, and, getting into holes, expanded as it froze ;ind burst the trunks. After the usual converbazione the meeting terniinatetl. May. 1 Wkindorfer AND FuANcis, Wild Lifc 1)1 Tasmania. k WILD LIFE IN TASMANIA. By G. Weixdokfer and G. Francis. (Communicated by Dr. C. S. Suttox.) {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club oj Victoria, Sth Dec, 1919.) {Continued from page 168, vol. xxxvi.) When driven beyond endurance, the kangaroo will dcnible and " plant " itself — a procedure which often gives it enough breath- ing time to resume its flight ; or, should a water-course or lake be handy, no matter how exhausted, it will take to the water. Its anatomy, and to some extent its timid nature, is against its being a good swimmer, the strokes being executed with both feet simultaneously, in the samt; manner as it advances on the ground, without the aid of its arms. For the first few minutes its movements in deep water are rapid, the body being, with every stroke, thrown forward and half out of the water, but soon, with slower and less vigorous strokes, the neck, which in its rapid movements was kept above water, begins to disappear, the head gradually becomes submerged until little more than the nose is exposed, and the fore-arms come frantic- ally into action, churning the water and filling the nostrils of the unfortunate animal with spray. F'inally, after a few more desj)erate efforts with arms and legs, the movements cease, and only the ripple of the disturbed water mark the scene of the fatal struggle. If one takes into consideraticju the low temperature of these alpini' lakes, it is no wonder that a harassed and overheated animal, once in the water, has little chance of escape. The kangaroo, unlike its bigger congener of the continent, will never tight the dog, either on land or in water. Once thrown, its main attenipt is to regain its upright position, and only in rare instances will it punish a f(K)lish dog with its hind legs. Regaining during a melee its upright position, it will often jump backwards, and before the dogs have realized its tactics will sometimes make good its escape. During and after heavy snowfalls, when the ground is covered with a depth of snow from two feet upwards, the kangaroo will make no attempt to move from its hiding-place until such time as the snow hardens. When suddenly surprist;d by the glare of an acetylene lamp, a kangaroo may occasionally bi.' momentarily hvpnotized, but in most cases the animal will at once make off, but so terrified is it by its own huge shadows that it tries to escape in all directions, once even madly charging towards the ol)- servtr, wJio, falling into a fit of laugliter, accidentally turned the light from the animal, and gave it a. chance to escape, which it at once availed itsi'lf of. 6 Weindorfer and Francis, ]Vild Life in Tasmauia. [voy'x'x^'vii. In oiclrr to loacii its feeding-grounds on the grassy plains, wliere the white grass, Poa cccspiiosa, predominates, the kangaroo follows certain tracks winding through the scrub, which have been formed througli years of usage. It is at the exit of these tracks from the scrub, or somewhat in the scrub itself, that the trapper sets his snares. For kangaroos that most frequently used is the " wire necker," made of brass wire, fixed to any convenient firm object, and kept upright by means of a stick which is split at the top to receive the wire. Other forms of snares are the springers, of various kinds, but all for the pur})ose of catching any animal by the feet. A third form, called the " necker springer," is a combination of the two, wjiereby the necker is connected with a springer, and thus caust'S strangulation. This last form is rarely in use, ])ecause it entails more labour to set up, and is, besides, dangerous to It is the "wire necker" wliich re\'t'als a distinct difference in intelligence between Macropiis riificollis, var. bcnnctti, the Bennett's Wallaby of the scientist, and Macropus hillardieri, the Kufous-bellied Wallaby. Whereas the latter is capable of using its senses in times of danger, and often successfully I'xtricating itself from a snare, thi' former exhibits its mental inferiorit}' by almost invariably falling a victim. Reference has been made to the tracks which kangaroos and wallabies alike use when moving from one place to another. In doing so, the animal's body is not only bent forward, hut its front quarters are actually carried somewhat lower than its rump. Should a kangaroo happen to place its head and neck into the fatal looj) of the wiri' necker, its life must end there and then, for as soon as the wire, by the forward movement of the animal, begins to tighten, there is a mad leaj) for liberty by the doomed animal, which lands it, in most cases, full length on the ground with a broken neck, or, if this does not happen, it will choke itself in its frantic endeavour to esca]ie. How different under such cir( umstances docs the far smaller wallaby behave ! There is no mad rush to escape in its case, but witli almost human-like intelligence it tries to remove the in<-onvenient t-ncumbrance with its front paws, leaving sometimes a little tuft of fiu' attached to the wire. With such marked differences in their behaviour, one cannot help drawing a distinct line between the tw(j congi-ners and retaining for the mentally less favoured species the name of " kangaroo." The breeding season of the kangaroo begins in Octolur or \u\-cinl)<'r, when occasionalK' mating pairs ma\ In- iidiiicd moving alxHil in tin- low s /» Tasmuiiia. 7 coiiiiccl ii)ii I cfrrciH f iii.iA' 111' iii.kIc Ihtc tn l\\e the Swamp variety in the. distiict. Irue, Ihr wallahy of the lowlands seems to be somewhat i)igger, i)ut this ukia' Ix' tlie result of more favourable climatic conditions. A com))arison between the kangaroo's and the w,illal)\'s 8 Weindoufeu AND Francis, Wild Life in las)uauia. [vol"x'x'xvii. l)L'lui\iouT wiicii lnip])C(l has hern alnady rrlciicd lo, ami it only n.'inains to br said that in f\eTy way tlir wallabx' is far the cleverer animal. When hnnted with dogs it is, for at least a short distance, considerably faster than \ho kanf^aioo, and is an expert in doubling and otherwist- dodging its enemies. It frequents the thickest scrul), and will rarely leave it unless at night time to feed on the plains, or to change its feeding grounds altogether. This it usually does when the trappers make their appearance. It is not unusual to follow a wallaby's track in the mud leading to a springer snare, where the animal appears to have paused to consider the advisability of going on or of taking another direction, and evidently had decided for the latter coursi'. It is an extremely (luarrdsonu- animal, as is cvidenct'd by the frequently scarred condition of its skin, and its pugnacity spoils the pelt from the trapper's and skin dealer's point of view. It is, c»f course, weaker than the average hunting dog, but nevertheless puts up a good fight, using both hind and front feet, and accompanying its efforts with an angry growling. (To he roniititiid.) TuF Latf. Mk. \V. T. r. Ket.t.y. P,v the death, on 2r)th March, of Mr. W. T. ( . Kdlv, tlic bi. Id' Naturalists' ("Inb lost a comparatively n-cent adtlition to its members' roll, but one who promised to be an enthusiast. Mi". Kelly, though a practising barrister, had latterly given considerable attention to the growing of scent-producing plants, and, in addition to a lavender plot at Mentone, had another garden at I'lvelyn, where, in ()ctf)ber last, he had interested and entertained a party of memlxTs of the ( lub with the details of his hobbw SiK H.\i DWIN Si'i'NCKK, K.C.M.O. — A large and repre- sentative gathering met in the biology theatre at tlu- Mel- bourne University on I'Viday afternoon, 2bth March, in ord(T to say farewell to Sir Baldwin Spencer as a Professor of the I'niversity. The Chancellor, Sir John Macfarland, occupied the chair. Dr. (ieorgina Sweet, D.Sc. read an appreciative address, which was signed by all present, in which it was stated that with the fund raised to commemorate I'ldf. Sjiencer's thirty-two yeais' work at the I'nivi-rsity two pri/,is had been founded -one for first yi-ar zf)oU)gy and the other for first year biology. Dean Hart, a one-time member of the b'.X.C"., and Prof. Agar, the new piofcssor, also spoke. Sir P>alduin Spencer feelingly replied, and expressed his gratitude lor the loyal assistance he had received from all who had been associated with him. CDe Uictorian naturalisi Vol. XXXVII.— No. 2. JUNE 10, 1920. No. 438. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, loth May, 1920. The president, Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., occupied the chair, and about 100 members and visitors were present. The president reminded members that the meeting was the fortieth anniversary of the Club, and expressed his pleasure at seeing among those present Messrs. C. French, sen., D. Best, W. M. Bale, F.R.M.S., F. G. A. Barnard, J. E. Dixon, F. Pitcher, and F. Wisewould — seven out of the eight " original " members of the Club at present on the roll, the eighth, Mr. T. G. Sloane, being a jT-sident of Central New South Wales. CORRESPONDENXE. The letter from the Fisheries and Game Department with reference to the issue of permits to collect eggs of protected birds, read and discussed at the previous meeting, and post- poned for further consideration, was brought forward, and, on the motion of Messrs. Pescott and Barrett, it was resolved to inform the Department that the Club is opposed to the issue of anv permits. Another letter from the same Department, which had also been discussed at the previous meeting, on the subject of the destruction of Mutton-birds at Phillip Island by foxes, was considered. It was reported that the recent " drive " had been successful, and a motion was carried asking the Depart- ment to continue this method of lessening the number of foxes. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken. Miss F. Power, Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, and Prof. W. E. Agar, M.A., D.Sc, Mel- bourne l^niversity, were duly elected ordinary members, and Miss K. Drummond, Nhill, as a country member of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. Messrs. F. Keep and F. Wisewould were elected to audit the accounts for the year 191Q-20. Nominations were made for office-bearers for year 1920-21. Mr. H. B. Williamson gave notice that at the next monthly meeting h.- \\()uld move the following motions :— (i) That this meeting considers that the Club meetings can be made more attractive by more frequent use of the lantern, and that nicmi)ers be encouraged to make and exhibit slides showing \'ictorian physiography and natural history ; (2) that in view of the objection that the ordinary business of the Club and the reading of papers require all the time at the monthlv meetings, lo Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [vJ"^xxx\ li tlio committal.' consider the advisability of arranging special lantern meetings on some of the fourtli Mondays of the month ; (3) that the incoming committee considi-r tlie necessity of purchasing a lantern : (4) that at the next mei'ting names of members be handed in who practise photography, and who desire to meet together to interchange ideas with the view of making slides to illustrate the natural history and physio- graphic geology of Victoria. PRESENTATION. The president called upon Mr. (ieorge Coghiil to receive a presentation from the members in recognition of hi>> tiftei'n years' service as hon. treasurer (ioo4-i()). This took the "form of a copy of ". Australia Fnliiuitid," 1)\ 1^. j. l>rady, bearing a suitable inscription. Mr. Coghiil said that the presiiitation came to him as a complete surprise. He greatly a])i)reciated the goodwill of his fellow-members, and would \alue tlieir recognition of his efforts on behalf of the Club. His work a> lion, treasurer had taken up a considerable amount of tini( , hut it \vm\ been a labour of love. PHOTOCRAPH. Opportvmity was then taken to secure a flashlight photo- graph of the gathering, which was very successful. wi-i.coMi:. The ])resident formalK' and lu'artily welcomed the original members, new members, ;nid visitors, eongratukating them and the Club on its having attained its fditiith birthda}-. Apologies were announced from Sir Baldwin S})encer. K.C.^M.Ci., Mr. C A. Topp, I.S.O. (both former presidents of the Club), Dr. I*"rcda Bage (Brisbane), Dr. C. S. Sutton, and Mr. C. I'"r( luii. iun. Of the thirty-four menii)ers on tlu' rnll of ii]i\v;ii(ls of twenty years' standing, other than " original " members, there were present : Messrs. J. Stickland (I^!(S()), V . Si)rv (iS.Sj), Cr. Coghiil (1HH2), J. (iabriel (1.S.S5), Mrs. Bage (uS,S4).l. Searle (1885), J. A. Kershaw (1888), J. Shephard (i88()), J. Wilcox (i8f)8), C. L. Barrett (1890), and C. J. (iabriel (i8()()). Congratulations were also heartily extended to .Mr. 1*". Chapman, A.L.S., on the honour which had (onie to him l)y the award of the Svme pri/,e of £100 for original n-search to him in recognition of his long-continued and \alual)le work in pala'ontologv. Mr. Chapman, he mentioned, had also been api)ointed lecturer in pal;eontology at the Melbourne I'niversity. Mr. ( hapman briefly responded. PAPER READ. ]^y Mr. !•". (i. A. Barnard, entitled " Ihe li( Id .Xatuialists' Club of \'ictoria, i()o5-2o : a Retrosixi t." J""*^' 1 Field Naiiindiits' Club — Proceedtni!'&: ii 1920 J a The author, hi coiitimiiitinu of a ])icsi(lcii(i;il addicss to (he Ckib in Junr, i()()(), in which lie dctaih-d the first twcnty-hvc years of the Chih's hi>t()ry, i;a\-e an inteicstini; resume of the hist fifteen years of its acti\-ities, thus compk'ting tlie forty years of its existence. He f.;ave tlie results in figures, as follows : — Papers read, ()i() ; .jf) volumes of the Naturalist issued, containing 8,456 pages, at a cost of £3,195. The total receipts from subscriptions, &c., had been about £5,675, and the expenditure, including Naturalist, about £5,577 — leaving a balance of nearly £qo, including a £20 war bond. He con- sidered the Club had justified its existence, and tlie meniliers had a record of which they might well be proud. Complimentary and congratulatory remarks on the work of tlie Club were made by Mrs. E. Bage, Prof. A. J. Ewart, Messrs. F. Wisewould, C' French, sen., W. M. P>ale, D. Best, F. Pitcher, D. Le Souef, J. L. Robertson, J. Gabriel, the president, and others. EXHIBITS. By Mr. R. W. Armitagc, M.Sc— A large example of dendrite on granite, about two square feet, from Beechworth. By Mr. C. E. Cole. — Australian moths, mostly Tasmanian specimens. By Mr. F. Cudmore. — A large reef-building fossil coral, probably Spongiphyllum, sp., from the L^pper Silurian of Hatton's Corner, near Yass, N.S.W. By Mr. C. Daley, F.L.S. — Garnets from North Queensland. By Miss A. Fuller. — Beetles from southern Western Australia, including Stigrnodera testacea, S. heros, S. niurravi, S. niari^iiuit((, and S. cherrorlata. By Mr. C. J. Gabriel* — " Pagoda " shells from Japan, including Latiaxis uiawce, Gray, L. japonic/is. Dunk., L. lischkeaua. Dunk., L. deburghice, Reeve, and L. spiriosus, Hirase. By Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S. —A leaf of Opuvfia moiiocaiil/ia, growing after having been cut from ]:)laiit more than twch-r months, also a fruit sending out roots, and a leaf shoot : fossiliferous limestone from Maria Island, Tasmania. By Mr. A. L. Scott. Dendrites, from Cave Mill (iuarr\-, l.il\- dale ; also, for comparison, a plate showing the dendritic and crystallitic ap]")earaiuH' assumi^l by bichromate of ])(>tasli in gelatine. COWERSAZIOXi:. After an inspection of the exhibits the company adjourned to the lower hall, where supper was laid, and a most enjoyable half-hour was spent. Cheers were given for Mrs. li. Bage, th(* only life member of the Club, and the ]irincipal ])romoter of the reunion, who had reccnth- rctiiiiicd from a lengthened \isit to EiiLrhmd. 12 \Veindoki-i:k and Francis, Wild Life in Tasniauici. [ v„i.'n"xxv'ii. WILD Lll'l-: IN TASMANIA. By G. Weindokfek and Cr. Francis. (Communicated by Dr. C. S. Sutton.) {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, Sth Dec, 1910.) {Continued from page 8.) Like its congener, the Rnfous-bellied Wallaby breeds only once a year, and at about lln- same srason, and its young make excellent pets until the wild ultimately calls them. At first tluy will stay away a^ night, coming back again in the morning, and again will absent themselves for one or two nights, or even a week, until at last they will be seen no more. That it is an excellent swimmer is beyond doubt. On one occasion, when harassed by dogs, a wallaby took to a rushing torrent, and in attempting to cross was sucked under a log and disappeared from view, but soon reappea.r(Hl, and after a short struggle safely landed on the opposite bank, Icaxing the pair of dogs howling with disappointment. About the year 1890 a disease broken out amongst tlu' wallabies at Middlesex, which killed the animals in such numbers that it was thought tlu-y had been ([uite exterminated. All over the bush their dead bodies could be found, without any apparent traces of the disease. Ho\ve\-cr, later on they slowly increased again in numbers, and e\-entuall\' Ix'canu; more numerous than before. The meat of the wallaby is not unlike that of kangaroo, though the bush connoisseur will declare that its Havour is somewhat stronger. Like the kangaroo, it offers shelter to the same vermin, but in a lesser degree. Its hides command practically the same prices as those of kangaroos. Tasmanian 1\in(.-taii. Phai.an(;i:r, or Posstm, commonly KNOWN AS ■' KiN(;-TAn.," PsKiDOCHiRrs cooKi, Dks. Amongst the bush animals the Ring-tail holds the distinction of being the most respectable, for, from appearances, it marries for life. Whereas there are no indications amongst all the other mammals dealt with in this paper that the mali' shares with his chosen mate the care of their offsjiring. the king-tail p;iir will, from the moment that they have matetl, together build their house and rear their young, which on rare occasions may number as many as three in the j)ouch. The male, unlike so many other animals of the bush, is a peaceful animal, showing no pugnacity even diuMng the ])airing season, in late spring. In numbers the males ajjpear to pre- dominate, for one hardly ever finds a solitary Ring-tail female, unless, perhaps, its mate has fallen a victim t(» the hunter, to disease, <»r other circumstances. Such mahs ;m f.iil to secure J""^*'J Wkindokker AND Francis, Wild Life in Tasmania. 13 mates seem to take their lot philosophically, without disputing possession with those more fortunate, and live their lives in single blessedness until the fates choose to provide them with partners. The Ring-tail has, as enemies, the Native and the Tiger Cat, from which it may escape by taking to a tree, where, in turn, it may be attacked by birds of the Owl family. So used is the Ring-tail to these enemies that it does not seem to com- prehend any other danger, and therefore falls an easy victim to the gun. It does not fear men, and during its nightly rambles will climb over tents and huts, and, prompted perhaps by curiosity, will even enter them. It is essentially an animal of the night, but occasionally may be found in daytime sleeping against the butt of a tree. Its nest is usually in some hollow in a tree, and is comfort- ably bedded with leaves and bark of gum-trees torn to small pieces. Occasionally it will build, high up in a tree in the depth of the beech forest, an equally comfortable and commodious nest of twigs, with an opening on one side, and will line it snugly in the before-mentioned manner. The rigours of the severe winters in these high altitudes incline it, however, to prefer the more substantial shelter within the hollow of a gum-tree. The time for nest-building seems to fall in two periods. The first is after the pairing season ; the second, for which, however, no definite proof can be offered, occurs after the weaning of the young, which, according to climatic conditions, may occur between the months of May and September, early snowfalls and bad weather conditions retarding this event. About this time the young Ring-tails are found alone in tlie nest, their parents having apparently left it to them and in all probability sought a dwelling in another locality. The young do not venture out into the open gum forest until accustomed to the new order of things. About this time one may find embryos in the mother's pouch, which will always contain two. Amongst many people the belief is prevalent that the Ring- tail is a tree-dweller that seldom ventures on thi' ground ; l)ut as a matter of fact most of its time during its absence from the nest is spent on the ground, unless the night be storm\-. If its dwelling is surrounded by dense scrub, the animal will move ahmg the branches and to])s of trees until open country is reached, and descend in order to fiucl on grass and other herbage. Having satislied its appetite, it will, fioni about 10 (/clock until midnight, sit (juietlv on a tree, .\fter this time there will be a. general gambolling in the tn-es and on tile gronnd, with further feeding on vnnig giini-lea\-es and other juicv herbs, preferably tiiose that lia\e sprung up attei' a hush lire the year before, and the early call of the Mountain Black i4 \ViiiNDoKi"i:K AM) Fkan'cis, iyi/(/ /.//(' /;/ I'asmiuiia. [vuT'xxxv'ii. Jay will find it home again. That tlu' Ring-tail will travel considerable distances on the ground is evidenced when tlic snow is lying. Then one can follow the spoor of male and female side by side over a distance of many chains. When undisturbed, iis way of walking may be comi>ared with tliat of a domcsiic cat, but when hurried il reaches the nearest tree in the shortest })ossible time by a series of short jumps on all lours. In this fashion having gained the first limb, it will usually utter a whistling cry as a warning to its family, and will be invariably answert'd in a similar way. The King-tail is very sensitive to cold, and in frosty weather or on stormy nights will prefer the warm shelter of the scrub. The glare of the acetylene lamp seems t(^ fascinate these little; beasts — unless a dog is in the vicinity, when tluir eyes will follow every movement of the latter. The old way of hunting the Ring-tail is the gun aided l)y a bright moon, but the use of the acetylene lamp has superseded this method, and the comparatively easy way in which the animal falls a victim to the hunter will snoiu i or later seal the fate of its kind. When slightly woun(U(l l)y a gunshot it will try to make good its escape (»\-er branches of neighbouring trees, or, if space is available, will elimi) higher. Severely wounded, it will slowl\- walk tlown the tree head lirst. A popular belief is that the Ring-tail will attach itself by the end of its tail to a convenient branch, and, afti-r swinging itself, will, by a sudden relaxing of its grip, move through the air to a lower branch. A movement of this kind has never been noticed by us, though its tail will frequently come into use, so to speak, as a fifth limb for the purpose of holding on or as a means of keeping its equilibrium. The fact is well known that a Ring-tail, when falling from a tree, has in many cases caught on a l)ranch and remained hanging by the tip of its tail, and has even contiiuud in that position until nothing but its skeleton has remained. .\s a rule it is not aggressive, and will rarely dtifend itself, though cases are known wlicrr the careless handling ol a wounded animal has resulted in ;i bile. Another way of hunting is the steel trap, phucd upon a short j)iece of wood leaning against a tree which on its bark reveiils a Ring-tail run, or tlu' wire snare fixed upon a pole placed at an angle of 45 degrees against the tree. Hut the latter method is uni)r()litabh; for the professional liuiitei", because, unlike tlu; iirusli Possum, the Ring-tail will often lind it possible to sever the wire with its teeth and make good its escape. I h»; lower end of a run on a tree will disclosi; whether it bi-longs to ;i King-tail or a P.rnsh ()|)ossum. Whereas the former, when undistiubed, begins its climb from the very bottom of the tree, the latter will invariably <1" it with a junq) from the ground. June,! \Vj;indokfek AM) Francis, Wild Life in Tasmania. 15 1920 J ■' ■' and thus its run will begin a few feet up. Besides, tlie possum being tlie far larger animal of the two, its run will appear correspondingly wider. Like most animals, the Ring-tail is a good swimmer, though it has not been known to take to the water deliberately. It is free of vermin, unless perhaps of microscopic size, l')ut is in- variably infected with a long and yellow tape-worm, which, however, does not scx'm to affect its general condition. A disease giving no outwaid signs of its presence, in a varying degree constantly takes toll among its numbers, as is evidenced by frequent finds of dead animals in the bush. Occasionally so virulent is the disease that very few are left alive. Such a visitation occurred at Middlesex about the year 1012, but did not extend to the higher elevations of the Cradle Mountain. Frequently the fur on the rump, extending even somewhat down along the butt end of the tail, has a worn appearance, and to this the trade has applied the name " joey-ridden," attributing the defect to the fact that in climbing the tree the young cling to their parents' back and so cause eventually the disfigurement. Since conditions of this kind may be noticed on individuals at any time of the year, it may be safely pre- sumed that the young have nothing to do with the matter, and that the occurrence must l)e attributed to some other cause. In any case, in this district it is of rare occurrence. The Ring-tail has a penetrating odour, which may be likened to a mixture of eucalyptus and stale fat, and this is sometimes so strong that on a quiet, windless night, on walking under a tree, one may suspect in it the presence of the little animal. Its liesh, however, when cooked in form oi a stew, has none of this odour, and bears favourable comparison with chicken. Ring-tails arc tamed as easily as wombats, but, unliki; this animal, prefer unrestricted freedom. Its fur has until lati'ly been regarded only as a second-class article, but lately has conn- more and more into favour. Some years ago the price paid to tlie lumter did not e.\c.(H(l ()S. per dozen, whereas at the present the}' may realize up to 35s. Tkichosurus vulpecula, vah. FiLiGixosus, Ogii.bv. Tasmanian Phalanger or Brush Possum, commonly known to' the trade under the name of '' Brush." Clive \i. Lord, in his " Notes on the Mannnals of Tasmania," i()i8, i)age j(), in describing the species, says : — " It is sometimes questioned if we have not two species, but I jirefer to treat them as one. In this connection see notes by l\on;il(l Cuini, i)agt' 84, P. mid P. Roval S(H\ Tas., 1852." Ill till' Middlesex ;niil ("i,i the most inquisitive^ of animals. Everything unusual must be inspected by it, and should it come along a game track, where a wire snare is waiting for an unsuspecting kangaroo, the Hrush must raise its body and investigate the strange contrivance, wherefrom it frequently omits to withdraw its head before moving on, with the result that its body comes to occupy the position intended for tlie larger animal. If a stick is firmly fixed in the ground on a game run. the next day you may possibl\- find that this has b(>en usrd during tin- night as a maypole bv tin- Brush. It is a frreiuciil \isitor to camps, and among the vegetables will refuse nothing but onions. It is inordinately fond of sweets, and an empty jam tin will often be its undoing, for in trying to reach to the bottom it will insert its head too far, and find it inq^ossible to withdraw from the awkward situation. It has no enemies, with the exce})tion, perhaps, of the Wedge-tailed Eagle, to which it may fall a i)rey through its undomestic habits. It is no figlitcr. though endowed with fiM'midable claws and a strong set of teeth. Stirpiiscd iiy dogs, it will alwavs seek to rscape on the; groimd instead of b}- taking to a tree, with the result that it is generally ovet taken and the fur ruined. While still warm, it is almost imjjossible to skin a J-Jnish without detriment to its fur, and in carrying one freshl\ -killed the ( hances are that this will be seriously damaged. ()nl\' when suddenK' confronted with the aictyleiie light will the inrush I'ossum remain (piietly sitting on a limb ; other- wise it will descend from the tree and take to Might on (he ground, but, unliki- the Ring-tail, it will refuse to be hyi)noti/,(;(i. Onlv orcasionalh" will it reveal its blood-red, flashing e\cs by gazing momentarih' at the lamj). If it be wounded, howcxcr, or even missed b\- gunshot, it will immediately realize the danger of its position, and. no matter how many dogs are waiting unch-r the tree, will run down iicid liist and try to escape, covering the ground in jinnjis not imlike those made by the ilomestic cat, though with lis> agility. June, j Weixoorfick AM) Francis, Wild Life iu Tasmania. 17 The " Brush " breeds the lirst yvwv of its cxisUiK c, lias oiu- young per aniuuu, and when tliat is grown too big for the pouch it will follow the mother on her nightly rambles. On the approach of danger the mother takes with its young to a tree, and it is a very pretty siglit to see the older animal running up the tree by big jumps with the young holding on to its back. The Possum has a " laugh " not milike that of a human being, which on still nights may be heard plainly over great distances. This is uttered by both sexes, and is more frequently heard during moonlight nights, and perhaps is the outcome of satis- faction and contentment. This Possum lias a penetrating, somewhat acrid odour, though not quite so unpleasant as the Ring-tail. Its fiesh is considered by bushmen as superior to that of any other animal. The fur is easily one of the most valuable in Australia, and by the trade is classed in three grades — viz., Black Possum, of a deep umber brown, which at auction fetches up to los. each ; Grey Possum, worth from 2s. 6d. to 5s. ; and " off colour " (any colour between grey and black), with a value of 2s. 6d. or less. A true jet-black opossum has never yet been obtained at Middlesex, and perhaps ne\-er in Tasmania, and furs of this description, sold as rugs, &c., are undoubtedly made up of dyed skins of second and third quality. The Brush Possum can lie kept in captivity, and its skin is of such value that its breeding would seem to be a very profitanle proposition. Tiger Cat, D.asyi'rus macui.atus, Kerr. This is one of the pluckiest animals of the bush, and will fight for its life to a finish. When cornered the si/(> of its antagonist will never deter it from defending itself with teeth and claws, and cases are known of it, on the rare occasions when it is lu^ld by a snare, boldly attacking the ap])roaching trapper. On one occasion one of us was roused from his slumbers at early dawn by an unearthly tumult, in which oiu- of the dogs was evidently engaged with some intruder. On stepping outside the disturbance; had transferred itself to the thick pine scrub, whence suddenly the dog, looking almost twice its usual bulk, emerged. Circling rapidly round its master, it soon drew near enough to be grabbed by the neck, when a Tiger Cat was found hanging by teeth and claws to the dog's chest and abdomen. 'Ihe Tiger Cat is essentially a dweller of the dark forests and mountain gullies, and, though sometimes met with in daytime, prefers the night for its raids on smaller animal life. It is always found alone, and only on rare occasions will male' and female be caught by one and the same trap. It loves to roam, and will extend its hunting exjieditions over consider;d')le iS WEIxnORFFK AND FrANCIS. 1^1?^/ J.ifc in raS)ll(llli((. [voI.'nxXVII. distances. l)iil its (autituis ikiIihc will a.l\\;i\s kccj) it witliiii the viciiiitv <>1 the slR'ltt'rin;^ scnih. it i)n'lirs to kill its own meat, and will even attack a wallaby iH" >niall kaiif^aroo when helpless in a sj)ringer snare. Its most inveterate enemies are tlie trapper and the fowl-keeper, which is not to be wondered at, for it plays tin- luischief with iwv animals when canj^dit in a snare, and is so destructive to poultry that api)arently for the mere sake of killing it will dispose of a whole fowl-yard during a few hours. Amongst the animals of tlu^ bush it has no enemies, except, perhaps, those of its own species. Con- sidering that six young, which appear in the pouch about July, are born every year, the bush ought indeed to be alixc with them ; yet, strange to say, its numbers, compared with those of the Native Cat, are comparatively few. Strictly speaking, it is not a climber, but. in its endeavour to reach its food, will overcome many obstacles, and on one occasion a Tiger Cat was shot out of a tree 50 feet above ground. Its persistence in endeavouring to gain access to a dwelling during the night is verv trying to the temper of both men and dogs, and almost iin'ariably ends in its death in one wa\' or another. - As a rule no one intcMitionally traps the Tiger Cat, for its fur is practicallv useless from a trading iM»int of view, though when tanned its skins make a passable rug. It happens, however, that Tiger Cats often run into the steel or box traps set for Native Cats. When caught in the former it will make every endeavour to escape, even going so far as to chew its own foot to pieces and successfully freeing itself. Caught in a box trap, if the jiieces keeping the sliding door in position are not lined with tin it will certainly make good its escap(> in a very short time. For culinary purposes tlu- Tiger Cat cannot be reconnnende(l, though strong stomaclis have bi-en known to accejit it when other meat was lacking, and the stomach must indeed be strong when it is stated that even the dogs refuse it. The luovements of the Tiger Cat are slower than thosi^ ol an average dog. wherefore it mainly relies for esca])e on doubling, in which it is expert. .Apparently it is free of any vermin, and to the glare of the acetylene lamp it shows only its hindquarters. Common Nativh Cat. Dasvcki-s vivkkkimis. Shaw. The light brown, white-spotted variety is fairly jjlentiful in the district ; the black and white extremely rare. Unlike the Tiger Cat, it has its home in the open gum forest, though when its young leave the pouch it retires into more inac< cssible ])laces. I he hunting-grounds are the grassy ])lains and o|)en stretches ot button-grass, the liome of the " (irass Kat." Jiesides this "^ig"o'] Weindorfhr AND Fkanxis, Wild Life in Tasmania. 19 animal it also seems to have a partiality for small birds, and follows its victims into trees, though, like its congener, it is not an expert at climbing. It is a common nuisance in and around camps, and will pay its nightly visits without regard to watch-dogs. Having had its fill, it will, as likely as not, make itself comfortable under a bunk in whicb one is slt'eping, and after the manner of a house cat, with which it lias nuicli in common, will indulge in a contented purr. Chased b}' dogs, like the Tiger Cat it will rely on i\\v trick of doubling until it manages to find a safe haven in a hnlt- in the ground or a hollow log. Safe in some such haven, it will turn and defy its enemies, uttering sounds not unlike those produced by the cracking of nuts in quick succession. It has no definite home, and one may frequently find the animal out in daytime, either asleep in some cosy corner or on business bent. It has been observed that its condition is invariably poor in summer, but fat in winter, the explanation being that in all likelihood its prey is more easily caught in the severer season. The embryos appear in the pouch about the month of July, and, as is the case with the Tiger Cat, the pouch, after the young are reared, seems to disappear. Thus, on a casual glance, the "animal does not look like a marsupial. \\'hether it lives in pairs cannot be definitely stated, but male and female and their six young have been caught in succession by one and the same trap. From this one may venture to conclude that in all probability the young are instructed in their ways of life by their parents. The young seem to be kept in seclusion, after the manner of the Tiger 'Cat, for a considerable time, for, as a rule, they are never seen or caught unless far advanced in growth, and therefore must be supplied with the necessary f(K)d during their early months by one or both of their parents. The Native Cat is a far less cautious and suspicious animal than its bigger congener, and the sudden appearance of the acetylene lamp will cause it to sit down on its haunches and irresistibly stare into the light, apparently being at the same time oblivious of the danger threatening from the direction of the dogs. Into steel and bo.x traps they appear to walk without hesitation, and, to induce them to do this, a common practice of trappers is to drag the carcass of a kangaroo over the places where these are set. Caught in a trap, it behaves something like the Tiger Cat, but with less success. After an attempt to regain its freedom it appears to accept the inevit- able, and, if the position allows of it, will even fall asKij>. (^ne, which was found to be a female, was even obsi-rvrd to be anxit>us to retain its feline attractiveness by cleaning its head and face with its paws, much after the fashion <>f tlu' house rat. 20 Wkinporfkr AM) Francis, ]\'i/(l Life in Tasmania, [voi'^xxxvil Its skin, wliich scorns to ho free of vermin, is, when tanned, very attractive, and is sometimes used in the manufacture of rugs. Its wholesale price is about 6d. apiece, but, like all furs, it will sooner or later rise in value, and tlie animal wHll then rt'c(uve more attention. The Sooty Crow-Shrike or Black Jay, Strepera fuligi- xosA. Gould. No visitor to the Tasmanian highlands will fail to remember the harsh cry of the Mountain Jays, their fearless behaviour towards the intruders on their happy mountain home, and their inquisitiveness towards ever^-thing out of the common. No other living thing is so characteristic of the Tasmanian highlands as this interesting bird, which is to be seen and heard everywhere — in the open gum forests, on the wide grass\- plains, near the shores of the lakes, and amongst the wind- swept rocks of the highest altitudes. The Sooty Crow-Shrike belongs to a giouj) which is restricted to Australia, Tasmania, and Lord Howe Island, and placed at the head of the bird world. The birds live in flocks, and com- mence i-ach season with a general meeting about August or September, which the observers have termed the " pre-nesting corroboree." On this occasion different units will congregate in certain places, and, mostly keeping to the ground, will for days voice their political and social views in an endless chatter f>f an ear-piercing chaiacter. After different views have been voiced anfl settled, the mating for the breeding season takes place in a peaceful way, the mob disperses, and the individual pairs take up their respective positions. But here a com- munistic government still seems to be in force, as is evidenced by the presence of a leader, whose voice, distinct from the rest, may be first heard at early dawn in a soft and somewhat melodious sounding " Ghiglia - glag - glag - glag." On some mornings there will be no answer, and in a renewed and higher tone the reveille will sound again. From afar the first faint answcf will reach the observer's ear, another one will come from a different direction, and in a very short time every bird will have announced the beginning of another day. During the nesting season there is no overcrowding ; every pair keeps strictly io a certain locality, and when the time is ripe will begin the building of its nest. This mainly consists of a few sticks and twigs, so casually stuck together on a fork oi a tree that it is a wonder that later on, in stormy weather, the young birds manage to remain in it. The bedding is of the scantiest possible nature unless it happens to be a coujilc of handkfrchicfs acquir«'d from the bleaching-ground of one of llie observers. Tin- ntst will never be built in the heart of Junc.j Weixdorfkr ANU Francis, IF//r^ L?/"e nj Tdsmania. 21 the scrub, but invariably near its edge, so that the youn{< l:)irds on their first excursions to the plains may escape the lurkin;;' clanger of the cat beneath. Should an accident befall one of the pair during the nesting, and the bird disappear, its mate will, on the discovery, raise a hue and cry, which will be answered from all points of tiie compass, and willing mates will join in and in an agitated way scour the whole district, uttering a distinct cry, which apparently is expected to bring about an answer from the missing bird. The weaning of the young, which falls about the end of January, is done in a curious way, and helps to illustrate the social habits of the bird. No sound is uttered as the parent birds flutter from tree to tree, their numbers increasing as each nest is passed. On they go, still no sound disclosing the direction of their flight, and in ghost-like, uncanny silence the procession continues until the last birds are lost to view. The next morning finds the young birds sitting disconsolately on trees, at first not knowing what to do in the absence of their parents. In all probability the old birds have migrated to higher elevations where a later season assures an ample supply of food in insects and berries of various Stypheliaceous plants. Their return in autumn in done in a similar but less silent way, and wvls observed during May, 1918, when an endless train of birds came from the south, flying northwards by way of the lakes and river courses. Apparently they had come a long distance, as here and there birds were seen to alight on trees for short rests, and the cheerful sound of their voices was heard from all along the line. Although the first arrivals had not been noticed, nor yet the end of the procession seen, the interested spectator had to turn for home after enjoying the unusual sight for several hours. The Jay will call at any hour of the night, especially when the moon is shining, and the reason must be either that it has been disturbed by the approach of some intruder or that it is expressing its feelings, like the possum with its human-like laugh. The worst enemies of the Jay are the members of tlu- Owl famih', and in wandering through the bush at night one may not infrequently hear the agonized cry of an unfortunate victim. Anything in the way of insect food will be wholly digested by this bird, but in the case of the berries of Drimys (iromalica, ('yathodes acerosa, and other plants the seeds arc regurgitated. The flesh of the old bird, when boiled down, will make a passal)le soup at least it will be better and richer than one has to get accustomed to in average restaiu'ants and boarding- houses. The joung bird liokls its eciual with any other game-l)ird. 22 Wkini)oki-kk AM) I'uANcis. WildLijc ill Tasmuiiia. | ^ 'vi^.^N^tl'' In conclusion, a word about the system of licensing the game hunter in Tasmania may not Ix^ out of place. I*"or the paltry sum of £'5 an>- person is permitted to hunt or destroy game on Crown lands during the open season — i.e., four months for kangaroo and wallaby and two months in the case of possum. The owner of private property is free of any tax as far as his land is concerned. A man who manages to make, say, ;^2oo during a season is thus taxed no more than the one whose luck brings him only, say. £30. It would l)e, therefore, infinitely fairer to all concerned, and more profitable to the (ioveniment, to place a tax upon the individual skin. In Tasmania few persons have ever taken the slightest interest in the war of extermination now proceeding l)etween man and the native fauna. As time goes on the demand for skins for the manufacture of leather and furs for general use is constantly increasing, and this demand must be supplied. No one will dispute that animals were made for tlie use of man. If they are not utilized they pass the age of maturity, fall victims to disease or die of old age : but man has, by his want of foresiglit, or by his greed for gain, already laid waste large areas of game country, and seriously reduced their numbers in the remaining parts. Wherever man begins to subdue the wilderness and to cultivate tlu- soil, or to win the precious metal, theie a battle loyal at once ensues between him and Nature ; but wliw in a civili/ed community, the feud should be carried on with the risk of utter extermination is hard to conceive. The State possesses laige areas in its interior which will ni'ver come into use for reproductive work, but could most effectually be turned into game reserves, where, undisturbed l)y the presence of man, the species could at least preserve themselves. Natukk Study. - The \'ictorian branch of the Nature Photographers' Clul) of Australia will hold an exhibition of hintern slides, with two illustrated lecturettes, ;it the .Miimauni (L'pper) Hall on Monday evening, 21st June. A SxR.vNCiE Nesting-Place. — A correspondcMit of the Sydney Mail oi 2nfl June sends an account of a pair ui Wood- Swallows which built a nest in the latch of a double gate on Yanko station. Riverina. The gate post;-; were out of plumb, consequently the latch was not used, a chain ro\md the two gateheads being substituted. The latch was left dropped back (»n to the top bar of the gate. This fornKul the recei)tach' for the nest. The gati-s were constantly used, whin the sitting bird Hew off the nebt. and fluttered overhead until the gates were closed agiun. She reared her brood, and removed it our of harm's way as soon as she could. Che Uictorian naturalisr. Vol. XXXVII.— No. 3. JULY 8, 1920. No. 439. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The fortieth annual meeting was called at the Royal Society's Hall for Monday evening, 14th June, 1920. Owing to the strike of gas-works employes, &c., neither gas nor electric light was available, candles being substituted, while the consequent curtailment of the tramway services affected the attendance, which numbered about twenty members. The president, Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., occupied the chair, and said that after dealing mth any correspondence and the election of new members the business of the annual meeting would be postponed vmtil the ne.xt monthly meeting. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Colonel J. M. Semmens, Chief Inspector of the Fisheries and Game Department, asking for the appointment of two members to meet two members of the Australasian Ornithologists' Union and confer with him regarding the question of granting permits for the collection of eggs of protected birds for scientific purposes. After some discussion as to the position to be taken up, seeing that the Club had at its last meeting decided against the proposal, Messrs. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., and G. A. Keart- land were appointed to represent the Club. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mrs. George, care of Mrs. Irvine, () Park-street, Ivanhoc, and Mr. Clyde D. Gillies, M.Sc, ()i \\'e]lington-street, Windsor, were duly elected as ordinary members of the Club. The meeting then adjourned. EXCURSION TO ROSEBUD. The Easter excursion was this year fi.xcd for Rosebud, a fishing village on the south-eastern shore of Port Phillip Ba\-. anil about three miles distant from that well-known watering-place, Dromana. On (iood I'riday morning (2nd April) eleven members and friends proceeded by the s.s. Hygcia to Dromana, and thence by drag to their destination. Rosebud is becoming a popular tourist resort during the summer season. Accom- modation had been arranged for at " Parkmore," within two liundred yards of a clean sandy Ix-ach, where there were ample 24 Excursion to Rosebud. [\X'\\\\\\, bathing facilities. The main MellHmrnc Dromana-Sorrcnto road runs within a short distance of the heacli, and between them is usually a dense thicket of shrubby plants of various kinds. On the landward side of the road there is a consider- able amount of settlement, while further over towards the ocean beach is a large extent of wind-blown sand-dunes, with limestone underlying. This is also in a great measure covered with thick scrub characteristic of the coastal fringe. The well-known range of Arthur's Seat slopes down nearly to Rosebud. The range is granitic in character, and the resultant soil has a fairly thick vegetation, in which eucalypts and intro- duced pines attain a sturdy growth and considerable height. On the south-eastern side of Arthur's Seat, and also eastwards, Ordovician formations come in contact with the granite, while westwards, towards Sorrento, sand-dunes and limestone, with occasional swampy areas, occur. During the afternoon of Friday a short ramble was taken into the scrub at the back of the hamlet, and familiarity obtained with the local vegetation. Saturday was devoted to a drag excursion to Cape Schanck, about twelve miles distant (the military survey map, " Sorrento," will be found useful for following the tracks of the party). Fortunately, the rain which had threatened held off, and a pleasant day was spent. The lighthouse on the Cape was visited, and the fine panoramic view greatly admired. Some time was spent on the ocean beach, where Mr. Gabriel succeeded in obtaining a considerable variety of seaweeds, bryozoa, &c. The cliffs here are of volcanic origin, the vertical section showing at least two distinct lava Hows. The basalt exhibits plainly both tabular and columnar structure, and less clearly the " onion " or concentric formation, whilst successive stages of disintegration, from solid black stone to soft white clay, through atmospheric and chemical agencies, are easily seen. The origin of this ancient flow is somewhat obscure, the nearest occurrences being at Balcombc I^ay and Phillip Island, while Mount Duneed, to the soutii of Geelong, is probably the nearest vc^lcanic vent. Attention was given liere to the coastal flora, of which the Coast White-bush, Calo- cephaliis Brownii, growing in large clumps, was the most prominent plant. On our return to Rosebud Mr. (iabriel gave a practical demonstration of the recognized method of mounting seaweeds and the preparation of bryozoa as opaque micro- scopic objects. Starting early on Sunday morning, the ascent of Arthur's Seat was made. The peak is of historic interest, for it was named by Lieut. Murray, R.N., th(! discoverer of Port Phillip Bay, and ascended by Capt. Flinders during his memorable voyage in the Investigator. I'rom the tower, 1,200 feet above sea-l ^ 1 1 y Vict. Nat. 26 Excnrsiiiii to hnschiKl. | v,.i. \xx\ II. prevalence i»f Grass-trees, Xanllun-rhnd tuislrahs. ni.iiiy of tlie flowering spikes of wliifh were fniin Im to loiule(Mi f( I'l in height. One grass-tree had a l)il"urcattcl stem. lAvo or thiee early flowers of the. common Epacris, K. iiiiprcssa, were found, also a few late blooms of the Shrubby Everlasting, Hclichrysuni ferrngineum. The only other plant in flower was the little autumnal orchid, Eriochilns aiiiiimnaiis. An early return had to be made to speed the departure homewards of two of our company. On Tuesday morning another attempt was made to find Waterfall Gulfy, and with success. Along the creek we found several species of ferns fairly abundant. The Prickly Tree-fern, Alsophila aitstralis, and the Eishbone-fcrn, Lomaria discolor, were growing well despite the dryness of the season, whilst the Rat-tail Spleenwort, Asplcnium ftabelli- foliiim, the Common Maiden-hair, Adiantum (vthiopiciim, the Rock-fern, Cheilanthes tenuifolia, and the rarer Rasp-fern, Woodwardia {Doodia) aspera, grew up the vAUey. The little stream was followed to the foot of the fall, but there was little water coming over the rocks. A speedy return had to be made in order to get lunch, pack our luggage, and get to Dromana to catch the steamer for home. Altogether, some 175 species of plants were noticed during our rambles. Of birds the following were listed : — White-backed Magpie, Kooka- burra, Bronze-winged Pigeon, Pied (irallina, Dcrwent Jackass, White-shafted Eantail, Rufous L^mtail, Diamond-bird, Boobook Owl, Wattle-bird, Yellow-breasted Robin, Scarlet-breasted Robin, Fairy Martin, Brown Swamp-Hawk, Rosella Parrot, Blue Wren, Sih-er Gull, Pacific Gull, Wliiti'-fronted Heron, Yellow-rumped Tit, White-eye, Bass Strait Tern, Harmonious Thrush, Crescent Honey-eater, White-throated Tree-creeper. Regarding mammals, we heard that wallabies are numerous in the thickest scrub on the range, and that koalas and 'possums are occasionally seen. Though rabbits are known in the district, we saw none. The only reptiles seen were a few lizards. Insects, too, except ants, were somewhat scarce. Mr. L. Thorn has given me the following notes regarding the butterflies noticed : — " During the Easter excursion to Rosebud the following butterflies were taken : — Painted Lady, Wood Brown {Tisa photic (ihcona), Silvery Xenica, and the Wanderer {Danaida arcliippus), while- the Common Brown, Small Blue, and the Imjjcrial White were seen on the wing, the last named, as usual, flying about the tops of the gum-trees." To my co-leader, Mr. J. (iabriel, I am ind(;l)t(Hl for the following notes regarding the i^ryozoa (often called Polyzoa), a group to which he devoted his attentif>n. He says : — " The beach at Rosebud afforded a very poor field for the gathering of Bryozoa, being tf)o sandy : for this grouj-) of animal life a Yn2o ] Excuvsion to Rosebud. 27 rocky shore is more likely to yield good results. This was proved during our visit to the ocean beach at Cape Schanck. Here, in a couple of hours, in a snug little corner of about one hundred and fifty feet in extent, about twenty species were collected. I am often asked, ' How do you find these things ? ' My reply is, ' Go to some unfrequented part of the coast, especially after a storm, when masses of seaweed have been thrown up by the waves. Turn these over, and you will soon find the objects of your search. They may be attached to the roots of the kelp, &c., or entangled among the seaweeds washed up.' On a large clump of Amathia aiistralis we found many interesting forms. Several species of Catenicella, commonly called ' Curly Seaweeds,' also yielded other forms. Many of the species are very loeautiful as microscopic objects, such as Crista acropora, C. margaritacea, Biccllaria ciliata, Menipea cyathiis, and M. crystallina, but the pride of place must be given to Chlidonia dcBciala, which is generally found attached to Catenicella margaritacea. Altogether, we found more than a score of different species. The following are the species identified : ^- Cheilostomata. — Dimetopia cornuta, Busk., Catenicella hastata. Busk., C. intermedia, M'G., C. margaritacea. Busk., Claviporella geminata, Wyv. Thomson, Scrupocellaria cyclostoma, Busk., Caberea Uarvvinii, Busk., C. glabra, M'G., Menipea crystallina, Gray, M. cyathus, Wyv. Thomson, Didymia simplex, Busk., Cellaria hirsuta, M'G., Pyripora polita, Hincks, P. crassa, M'G., Hiantopora ferox, M'G., Microporella diadema, var. lata, M'G., M. diadema, var., M'G., Bracebridgia pyriformis. Busk., CelJepora glomerata, M'G., C. lirata, M'G., 'i'ubucellaria hirsuta, M'(i." With good weather conditions, C()mfortal)lc quarters, and harmonious relations, the party had a very pleasant Easter outing. — C. D.ALEY. The Late Mr. R. A. Bastow. — By the death, on the 14th of May, of Mr. R. A. Bastow, at the age of 80 years, the Field Naturalists' Club lost another of its members. Pie was an ardent cryptogamic botanist, but for some years had not been able to follow his hobl)y. His last contribution to the Clul> was a chatty paper, " Notes on the Lichen Fhn'a of Victoria," published in 1913. Mr. Bastow's profession as an architectural draftsman enabled him to illustrate his papers with great detail, and the plate accompanying this paper contains figures of 112 species, small but quite clear. He had resided in Tasmania for some years before coming to Victoria, and in tlie " Proceedings of the Royal Society " published several papers dealing with cryptogamic subjects. A " Key to the Mosses of Tasmania " in the \'()lume for 1886, is a good example of his work. 28 GouDiE, Coleoptera of Xorlh-Weslci'ii Victoria. [v^!*^xxxv'il NOTES ON THE COLEOPTERA OF NORTH-WESTERN VICTORIA. Part VIII. By J. C. Goudii:. (Read before (he Field Nafuralisis' Chib of Victoria, \ 2th April, 1920.) 5CARAB/eiD/E {continued). SuB-F.AMii V CETONIDES. 2574. Chlorohapta {Schizoryhina) frontalis, Don. 2583. TricJkutlax (Schizorrhina) philipsii, Schricb. 2601. Diaphonia {Hemichnoodcs) mniszcchii, Jans. 2605. Mctallcsihcs metallcsccns. White. 2606. Pseudoclithria {Mctallesthcs) ruficornis, Wcstw. The Cctonidcs arc a favourite group with collectors, some of them being amongst the most beautiful of Australian beetles. Mr. Lea has published a fine monograph dealing with the group. Writing of C. frontalis he says : — " This common and widely distributed species is the most variable of all the Australian Cetonides." It is black, with green and yellow markings on the elytra and prothorax. It breeds in hollow trees, emerging in the perfect state in January. T. philipsii. about the same size as the preceding (seven- eighths of an inch), is a much rarer species. My single speci- men, taken on the blossoms of a grey box tree, has the })ro- thorax and scutcUum dark red. The five ridges on the elytra are shining black, the grooves between clothed with short greyish hairs. D. mniszcchii is a fine large beetle, up to ij inches in length, of a pale straw colour, with a large dark trapeziform mark on the prothorax. Mr. Lea remarks : --" The male of this fine species (which occurs from the Mallee districts of Victoria to the coast of Western Australia as far north as (ieraldton) may be readily distinguished from all tlie Australian Cetonides by the dense clothing of the i)\gidium and under surface and by the deep impression occupying the greater portion of the abdomen." About twelve years ago this species appeared in fair numbers, feeding on the mallee lilossom. but lias not been seen since. M. metallcsccns is black, with a metallic gl a smaller and rare species. The iiead and July. "I GouDiK, Coleoptera of No)'th-Western Viclovia. 29 prothorax black, with a metallic gloss ; the elytra piceous, with a bronzy metallic tint. My specimens were taken on low scrub. BUPRESTIDyC. The beauty of form and colour of the Buprcstidct is well known, and excites the admiration of all. Naturally, collectors of coleoptera are particularly keen* on them, and cheerfully face the discomforts of the hottest day in the bush in the hope of adding to the collection. They are essentially beetles of the summer, occurring mostly during the months, of November, December, and January. In this district many of the species frequent the tops of the mallee scrub when the latter is in blossom, and are captured by carefully bending down the slender tops with the aid of a long hooked stick and shaking them into an expanded umbrella. Low bushes and shrubs. such as acacias) &c., are also favoured by them, and some species are only to be found on a particular species of shrub. The wood-boring larvae — elongate, somewhat flattened grubs, having the thoracic segments greatly enlarged — tunnel in the roots, stems, and branches of various trees and shrubs. In IQ16 Mr. H. J. Carter, of Sydney, the well-known authority on Buprestidae, contributed a paper to the Royal Society of South Australia, entitled " Revision of the Genus Stigmodera, and Descriptions of Some New Species of Buprestida;."* In this valuable memoir, which should be in the hands of every student of the group, the author tabulates no less than 318 species of Stigmodera, and this after 204 names have been sunk as synonyms ! In compiling the list of local species I have included all the synonyms as given by Mr. Carter, and have followed his arrangement of the species of Stigmodera under the sub-genera Themognatha and Castiarina, none of the typical Stigmoderas of Kerremans being found in this region. The nurnbers given are those of Masters's " Catalogue." 2623. Diadoxus erythrurus, White. 2624. D. scalaris, L. and G. These common and handsomely marked species appear to breed exclusively in the Murray pine. Aslraus irregularis, V. de Poll. An extremely rare species, about three-quarters of an inch long. The head and prothorax are dull i)urple, with yellow spots ; the elytra yellow, with bluish markings, forming a curious intricate pattern. It was described by Van de Poll from a imique specimen in his collection. One of my speci- *" Transactions of the Royal Society of South .Vustralia," vol. xl., 1916. ^o GoroiE, Coleopiera of Xoilh-Wesleni ' '^'^^'''f'- [voi.'xxxvi i mens was taken (at Birchij)) in its tunnrl ni a l)i"anch of the " hull-oak," Castiorina Luclumiuni. Two others were taken oil the foliage of the same tree at (ireen I,ak(\ near Sea Lake, 25/1/16. A . major, Blackl). This also is a beetle rarely nu'l with. It is about tiie same length but more robust than irregularis, \.\\v prothorax black or bluisii. the elytra yellow, with three broad transverse blue bands, and a small red spot at the a]Hx of each elytron. Taken on malice foliage in October. Biihaslcs, sp. One species at least of this tine genus occurs here, but, owing to the similarity of the sjiecies to each other, it is difficult to identify them. The head and ample prothorax are blue, the ribbed elytra coppery, without markings. It is nearly an inch in length, and is found on malice slioots in I'^ebruary. Sln'goptera aiislralis, Blackb. A handsome beetle measuring about an inch, with prothorax and under parts purple and the ribbed elytra dark green. Twent\- \ears ago it used to occur in considerable numbers in the Birchip district, appearing about the middle of January, when it would be found in the mornings clinging to tlu^ wheat stubble, low malice shoots, &c. At that time 1 ■^ciit many specimens to Mr. C. I'rench, 1<".L.S., whose collection of Iduprestida.' (now in the National Museum) is one of the finest in Australia. 2()yi. Melnhasis cuprcuvittata, Snd. ■ villi'^cra, Thorns. .1/. graliosissinia, Thoms. 2hHi. M. nervosa, Boisd. (?) 2689. M. se.xplaiiiata, L. and d. 2b()i. M. splcndida, Don. These are small species, .1/. ciiprcovitlata , a little oxer halt an inch, being the largest, i)ut tliey are very handsome, the rich combination of brilliant metallic tints being very striking. They are found on acacias and other small shrubs, and on eucalypt blossoms. M . splcndida is fairly common, but is only taken on the Turpentine, or Rosin-bush, Beycria viscosa (?), in this district. A nilara platcssa. Thoms. A . itniformis, Kerr. Very small, dull-coloured species, olten found .iniongst dry leaves. 2704. Ncocitris aspcripennis, l-'airm. 2707. A^. dichrua, Fairm. 2 705. A', disco flava, Fairm. ■'"'-ol Govx)\¥., Coleoptcra of Noyih-Westeyn Victoria. 31 These small and rare beetles are seldom taken in the open, most of my specimens having been cut out of the wood of a tree locally known as the " dogwood." In early November this tree is covered with a profusion of beautiful white blossoms, on which insects of many kinds come to feed. 2718. Ciiris aurifcra, L. and G. 2^2^. C. corusca, Waterh. 2730. C. viridicyanea, Fairm. The species of Curis arc much sought after by collectors on account of their beauty and scarcity. C. aiirifera, about half an inch long, is blue and gold ; C. corusca, a larger species, is brilliant metallic green, with coppery reflections ; and C. viridi- cyanea has the prothorax blue, the elytra of a vivid deep green. I have taken it on tht; foliage of the Ouondong, Fiisaiiiis acitmiiiatiis, in November. 2738. J nlodimor pJia hakewellii, White. A fine species, one of the giants of the group, measuring 2^ inches in length. The head is green, prothora.x red, the deeply-pitted and ribbed elytra yellow. I have never met with it in the district, but Mr. H. W. Davey, F.E.S., informed me that he had seen specimens from Lake Tyrrell. Genus STIGMODERA. " Sub-genus B. — Themognatha : elytra striate, tarsal hooks lobed or toothed at base." 2838. Thcnw^natha (Stigmodcra) heros, Gehin. This is another of out largest species, some examples l)eing 2;^ inches long by an inch broad. It varies from light to dark reddish-brown, with strong costai on the elytra ; the under side is dull metallic bronzy-green. Some seasons they appear in considerable numbers, then for two or three years none will be seen. It is a fine sight to see perhaps a score of these big beetles soaring majestically around, the loud, musical hum of their wings being audible at a distance of 50 yards. They are often killed by a large blue " robber fly," Phellus glaucits, which catches them on the wing, and drives its dagger-like prol)oscis deep into the soft integument between the prothorax and elytra. It then flies easily with its load, which is much heavier than itself, to the nearest post or tree, and proceeds to suck its victim dry. 2889. T. parryi, Hope, fusca, Snd., parvicollis, Snd., major, Waterh., picea, Kerr. This is a much rarer beetle than hcros. It is met witli on low bushes in cultivation {)addocks. Fresh specimens have considerable pubescence about the head and prothorax. It is an inch and a half in length, and of a dark brown rolotu". 32 GofDiE. Coleoptera of Xoiih-W'esteni l'i<''<^>'»«- [v\,k xxxvil. 2811. /. do)iovani, L. and G., juiisoni, bud. A specimen of this is from the Murray, near Euston. It has the prothorax bronzy-green, with the margins yellow : elytra yellow, becoming red near apex. 2970. T vitticollis, Macl., delta, Thoms., fallaciusn, Kerr. Also from the last-named locality. This species is reddish- yellow : the centre of prothorax has a vertical black stripe. The rather broadly rounded apex of elytra is black, and there is a narrow black transverse bar about apical third. 2828. T. fortnumi, Hope. A fine, showy species, extremely rare locally. A specimen was taken at Birchip over twenty years ago by Mr. U. Goudie. It was flying amongst a grove of bull -oak trees ; it measures il inches in length, and is yellow, with the disc of prothorax and three broad bands on the elytra dark i)lu(\ While splitting posts and rails, &.C., from the bull-oak timber 1 have found many insects, such as Longicorncs, Buprestids, larvs of wood moths, &c., but searched in vain ior fortnumi. In several cases, however, the workings or tunnels of some large larva were traced, but these ended in the large oval exit-hole through which the beetle had previously emerged. Sub-genus C. — C.\sti.\rin"a : elytra striate-punctatc, tarsal liooks simple. 2945. r. Icstacca, Snd. 2874. C. moribiinda, Snd., dispar, Blackb. (?) 2820. C. ftava, Snd., flavescens, Thorns., fJaviditln, Kerr. These are small beetles half .111 inch or h'ss in h-ngth ; morihiindd has the prothorax and under jjarts l)right green, elytra reddish-yellow. 2766. ('. hinuiciilaia, Snd., fiiinclivcnlris, Snd., f^iitlaiu, lihukl)., var. — (i) minor, Blackb., (2) ignea, Blackb. An extremely variable species, both in size and coloui-. It varies from less than half an inch to nearly an inch in length. The prothorax may l)e either briglit green, bronzy, or coppery, while the elytra vary from pah' yellow witiuiut markings (these have the bright green prothora.x) to brigJU red, witii strong black, blue, or green markings. 287O. C. viusldamajor, Thoms., gihhosa, Macl. 2826. C. flavosignata, Macl.. var. 28ir>. ('. clongatulu, Macl. 2804. ('. de.coiliiKiciildld. Kirbw iiia-i/iia/is, Kerr. 2969. C. vittata, Snd. The last three named are fairly ronmion species, Ining lound on flowering shrul)s on while s;ind-liill>. They are narrow and 'iq'-^o J GovviE. Coleop/era of Xoyth-Wesfeyn Victoria. _^3 elongate. The other two are rare. .\11 are small — halt an inch or less. 2882. C. auricollis, L. and G., var. ochreiventris, Snd., s/rigald, Macl. A rare l^eetle. My specimen has the prothorax dark purplish-blue, elytra light yellow, with the apex and six spots (two of which are on the suture) blue. In the typical examples I believe the spots are "replaced by transverse bands, but all that I have seen from this district were marked with spots, as described above. Taken on grey box blossom in December. 2825. C. fiavopicta, Bois., bicolor, L. and G., colorata, Hope. 2935- C. simitlata, L. and G., helence, Hope, var. phryne, Thoms., var. lais, Thoms., var. triramosa, Thoms., distin- gttenda, Thoms., fraterna, Kerr. This prettily-marked and variable species with the heavy burden of names is found on the " broom" tea-tree in the white sand-hill country. 2849. C. jekelli, Snd. Very similar to some forms of bimaculata, but " apices of elytra with minute excision, not bispinose." 2831. C. gihhicollis, Snd., fascigera, Kerr. This red and black species used to be fairly common in the Birchip district, but I have never taken it except on the " dogwood " blossom. 2867. C. marginicollis, Snd. A fine and rare beetle. It is about | of an inch in Ungth ; dark yellow, with wide black transverse bars. 2911. C. robusta, Snd. > About the same size as preceding. It has the prothorax blue, elytra bright red — in some with apex and two sutural spots blue, in others with transverse blue bands. C. pisciformis, Carter, Tr. Roy. Soc. S. Aust., vol. xl., 1916, page 125, PI. X., fig. 20. Very similar in general appearance to T. thomsuni, Init the black markings not so broad, also " differs from the latter besides markings? in less sinuate and more attenuated form, and its flat and distinctly punctate elytral intervals." ('. cara, Black (?), placens, Kerr. 1 have two specimens which probably represent this species. They are yellow, with black transverse bands and bronzy prothorax, and measure about ^* of an inch. 2775. C. cnsteinandi, Snd., thomsoniana , Masters, laportei, Kerr. A stud\ ill brilliant red and liluc In some specimens the 34 GovDln. Coleoplei-a of North-Wesieyii Victoria, [wl'x'xxvil transverse markings are green instead of blue. It is I of an inch long. One of the finest of Mallec beetles. C. signata, Kerr. A small yellow and black species, fairly common in some seasons on the mallee blossom. " May hv a variety of distingncnda, Snd." C. cretnita, Blackb., var. This is a pretty yellow and blue species, slightly over iialf an inch in length. The prothorax has narrow yellow margins 2981. Merimna (Chrysobothris) atrata^ L. and (r. A common and widely spread species, known in many places as the " fire-beetle," from a curious penchant it has for the vicinity of fires. A burning tree or log is a favourite place on which to settle, and it will even fly indoors to the fireplace. It is entirely black, with slightly ribbed elytra, and measures up to i-j- inches. Ethon. Two species of this genus (unidcntUied) occur in the Sea Lake district. 3012. Cisseis nubeculosa, Germ. (?) The species of Cisseis are pretty little beetles, found usually on wattle scrub. 3026. Paracephala pistacina, Hope. This is a small species, less than 4 of an inch. It is metallic ])r()n/e-coloured, and was found abundantly on grass-stalks. (jcrmarica lillipidana, Thoms. As its name indicates, this is a very small beetle, measuring only 2 mm. It is generally (if not exclusively) taken on the foliage of the ("asuarinas. 3028. Agriiits luislralasiiv, L. and (i. A narrow, coppery-brown species, about i| of an incli in length, having whitish pubescence on the under side. BoROM.N I'iN.NATA. — In Novcmbcr, 1917, Mr. V. R. H. St. John obtained from Labertouche a supply of Borunin pinnala, Smith, when in flower, from which he distilled a small quantity of oil. This was submitted to Mr. lly. G. Smith, F.C.S., ol the Technological Museum, Sydney, who has recently published in the " Proc. Roy. Soc. Vict." (vol. xxxii., n.s., p. 14) th(> result ol his examination of the oil. This shows that al^out 70 per cent, of tlie oil consists of Itlemicin, a somewhat rare jilant product, hitiierto ioimd only in a Manila plant, Canariiim com- mune, L., belonging to the order Jiuiscraci'ie, an order far removed from the Rutacea-, to which the Boronia belongs, in the usual arrangement of botanical sprrirs. THE VICTORIAN XATURALIST. Vol. XXXVII. July, 1920. Plate i. .~ ^ ■'"'^'•"1 Siii:akshy. /?('rcji/ Tvnvevtin Foyniatimis, Yasx. ic 192.) J .1 -T NOTES ON THE OCCURRENCE OF RECENT TRAVERTIN FORMATIONS IN OAKY AND RAVENSVVOOD CREEKS, NEAR VASS, NEW SOUTH WALES. By a. J. Shearsby, FT^.M.S. (Communicated by F. Chapman, AT. .8.) {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, i8th March, 1920.) [Note by F. C. — A few months ago Mr. A. J. Shearsby was good enough to send me the photographs here reproduced, together with some notes on the formation of the travertin. Recognizing the value to geologists of Mr. Shearsby's observa- tions, I wrote to him for permission to present them to the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, which he readily granted. I have appended a few notes of my own regaiding similar occurrences in the geological series.] Massive travertin in Oaky Creek, portion 65, parish of Taemas, near Yass (fig. i) :— " This is typical of the deposit forming and already formed at Oaky Creek. All the ' rock ' here shown is travertin. Even the foreground on which the log is lying is solid stuff, on which the grass and watercress, &c., grows profusely for a while, and is then coated over with the cal- careous material, thus adding to the thickness of the already massive travertin. " The man in the centre of the picture will give an idea of the tiiickness of the deposit. Note also the oak trees [Cas'iarina) growing out of it at the top. The roots are responsible for a further thickening of the deposit (see fig. 3)." Stalactitic travertin formed on moss, Oaky Creek, Taemas (fig. 2) : — " This photograph shows a little grotto in the face of fig. I, but about 20 feet to the right. Note the stalactitic formation of the travertin. All of these stalactites are formed on a matri.x of moss, which keeps on growing outwards and downwards as the stalactites thicken with the calcareous deposit, and in time join up to each other and form a solid mass. The deposit here is very rapid in growth, and in at least four instances the calcareous water may be noted pouring in a continuous stream from the stalactities. The foreground of the photograph is a matted mass of grass in various stages of ' petrifaction ' (incrustation). A two-foot rule folded to one foot is standing to tlie left to give an idea of proportion." Travertined roots of oaks {Casiiarina), Oaky Creek (lig. 3) : — " This adjoins lig. 2, and shows the roots of the Casiianna being rapidly thickened and cemented together by a calcareous spring. The loots, which form only a small central portion of the thick pendants shown, are at present alive, and will later on send out fresh rootlets, whirli, in turn, will he covered up. ■^6 SuKARSHV, Recent Traverlin J-'^oDiid/ioiis. Yass. [\„Vx'xxvM The original roots finally die. and lielp to lorni the solid material which may he seen between the rule and th»- com- paratively freshdooking roots. " The growth of the travertin this year (1919) is v^ery rapid, as the rainfall has been very light and evaporation abnormal, the result being that, as the spring issues very highly charged with lime, anci flows over such a mass of moss, grass, roots, and watercress, that it is all evapoiated before it travels far, and all the organic matter is left in sifii coated and cemented together into a porous limestone." In the Oaky Creek locality the lime is leached out of the Devonian limestones. Travertm, Ravenswood Creek, portion yq, parish of Boam- bolo, Yass. — A small specimen of this travertin is exhibited, which is typical of a deposit that may be traced along Ravens- wood or Hall's Creek for about two miles. The specimen in this instance is composed of incrusted mint, which thrives very luxuriantly all along this creek. In many places the mint is crowded out by watercress and Chara, both of which are also travertined and help to form solid masses of calcareous rock. In this locality I have also picked out lime- incrusted fruits and leaves of Eucalyptus, shells of the pond snail Limncca, and portions of insects. This locality has also a more solid deposit, which L. F. Harper * noticed is often ripple-marked. The lime in the Ravenswood area is leached Out from the Silurian limestones which outcrop thcTc. Mr. Harper also refers to another elass of Secondary Lime- stone : — " A totally different class of deposit of recent age is found on the slopes of the Devonian limestone outcrops. It consists of a limestone breccia, usually about eight inches thick, which owes its origin to a re-cementing of the shale and limestone talus. The breccia rests on top of shales with chocolate-coloured bands and tuffs, and is quite hard and compact in places, whilst in others it is more friable. "f A very similar formation to the above is to be noticed in the Silurian deposits at Hatton's Corner, ^'ass. Addendum on Tkavektin in General, hv !•. ( ii.U'Man, .\.L.S. Deposits of travertin on vegetation and terrestrial debris are more often found in the later formations, 'iVrtiary and Post-Tertiary. The present interesting occurrence reminds one of the deposits formed from the driiiping wells of Knarcs- borough, in Yorkshire, and \\\ Derbyshire. Sharpe has * L. F. Harper, Rcc. Gcol. Surv. N. S. NValcs, vol. ix., 1909, p. 11. ■f l.oc. supra cit., p. 11. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, Vol XXXVII. July, 1920. Plate 2. (illy, igso Shkaksev. Recoil Traverliti FonnaHotis. Yass. 37 described * a remarkable occurrence" of a mass of incrusted plants of the lime-secreting Chara, filling up an old pool near Northampton. How perfectly the impressions of vegetable matter may he retained by the incrusting substance can be realized from the description given by Prof. Seward f of a porous calcareous rock of Eocene age near Sezanne, Southern France, formed of encrusted leaves, twigs, and flowers ; these have been restored to their original delicate shapes by forcing wax into the cavities and dissolving away the tufa. The travertin deposits near Geilston and Hobart, Tasmania, described by Johnston, J were also formed in lakes fed by cal- careous springs, and the leaves which were washed into them {Notojagiis Risdoniana) are beautifully preserved as impressions. In some ways allied to tufa deposits is the phenomenon of the lime-incrusted stems and roots of the Coast Tea-tree {Leptospermiim Icpvigatmn), which in later stages become solidified by deposits of carbonate of lime from solution. This has engaged the attention of observers from the time of Vancouver (1791), and Darwin (1836) commented upon it. As Dr. T. S. Hall pointed out § in his valuable paper on this subject, it remained for Moseley, j! of the Challenger expedition, to explain the actual facts respecting the formation of this coastal tufa, which, unlike most other deposits, seems to be dependent on the acids derived from the decay of the vegeta- tion itself in its reaction on the calcareous shore-sand. The older groups of rocks, of the ages of Silurian, Devonian, and Triassic, contain limestones of algal and other plant origin, but their age and consequently greatly altered mineral con- dition often precludes a very close analogy with the modern deposits of like origin, although in certain instances conspicuous intercalations of calcareous tufa can be clearly seen. Thus, the Upper Devonian of Freestone Creek, Gippsland, contains a typical tufa deposit which is associated with plant-bearing sandstones. In the study of agencies which produced any geological formation, it is of the greatest value to obtain evidence of similar conditions taking place at the present time, and such an instance as Mr. Shearsby has so well described and photo- graphed makes us familiar with the actual mode of formation * Geol. Maq.. vol. v., 1868, p. 563. ■{•"Fossil Plants," vol. i., 1898, p. 70. Also Saporta, Mem. Soc. Clcol. France, vol. viii. (2), 1865-8. I Geol. Tasmania, 1886, p. 286. See also Proc. R. Soc. Tas. for 1879 (1880), p. 81 ; 1881 (1882), p. 7. § Victorian Naluralisl, vol. xviii., 1901, p. 47. II " Notes by a Naturalist on the Voyage of H.M.S. Challoi^er." p. 149. ;?.'^ Shearsbv. Recent Travertin Forinntions. Yoss. [vo)''\k'x'vil (it tlK\sc deposits. Several factors hear on tlic Mil>itct, chici of wliich is tlie varying amount of carbonate of lime carried in the water, partly dependent upon the minimum or maximum amount of rainfall in the area. In the present case it would be interesting to note, over a period of a few seasons, the variation in the amount of the deposit laid down, as an index to the rapidity of such formation imder average conditions. It may not l)e out of place to mention here a case of sudden cessation of a travel tin deposit due to diversion or spreading of the stream or spring, at a locality the writer visited at Blashenwell, in Dorset.* This travertin deposit had been forming for many centuries, sealing up relics of Neolithic times, as seen in the enclosed bones of pig, red deer, roe deer, and a large ox used for food, together with fiint fiakes, limpet shells, and charcoal. The succeeding layer of black soil contained Roman coins at the base, and these remained silent witnesses of the period when the spring had ceased to deposit tufa. A Rake Ak.achnid. — When at Walhalla last month I came across the curious arachnid exhibited this evening. It was found under a large stone in a very wet situation, having for company three small frogs. This arachnid can easily be dis- tinguished from the Araneida by the cephalothorax and abdomen not being pedunculated, as in the latter. It belongs to the order Phalangiidit : members of this order are often possessed of extremely long legs, but in this specimen the legs are of only moderate length. It possesses the typical characters of the Phalangiidie in having only two eyes, placed on a small tower-like prc^cess on top of the cephalothorax, and having the mandibles armed with pincers, and an abdomen consisting of six segments. Each segment is papillose and of a cori- aceous nature, which gives the abdomen a roughened app(\irance, very different from the pilos(; covi-ring usual to tlu^ abdomen of a spider. The maxilke are also very large and powerful ; these arc opposed to each other so as to act as crushing jaws. The second pair of legs have the tarsi composc^l of numerous small segments in somewhat similar manner to the tarsi of the hrst pair of legs of the tropical Whip Scorpions of the order Pedipalpi. The second specimen in the box is a small species fairly common in parts of Victoria, but the large specimen is the first I have seen, and is probably an undcscrilied species. — H. W. Davey, F.E.S. loth May, 1920. * t Icmc-nt Rcid, Proc. Dorset Field Club, vol. xvii., 1S96, p. 07. .\lso Strahan, Cieoi. 1. of I'lirheck, iSgS, \^p. 210, jii. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, Vol. XXXVII. August. 1920. Plate v SIR RONALD MUNRO CRAUFURD FERGUSON. PC., G.C.M.G GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF AUSTRALIA. Hon. Mi.MiiiiK I'li.i.u NATt.uAi.isTs' Ci.uii oi" N'ictoria. Cbe Uictorlan naturalist. Vol. XXX VII.— No. 4. AUGUST 5, 1920. No. 440, FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The fortieth annual meeting of the Chib was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, I2th July, 1920. The president, Mr. A. t). Hardy, F.L.S., occupied the chair, and about forty -members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENXE. From Prof. Georgina Sweet, D.Sc, Victorian local secretary of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, notifying that the next meeting of the. Asscciation would be opened at Hobart on the 5th January, 1921, and asking the CluD to appoint delega.tes on the council for the meeting. Dr. C. S. Sutton and Mr. C. Daley, M.A., having expressed their intention of being present at the meeting, were appointed to represent the Club. From the Acting Chief Inspector of Fisheries and Game, stating that it had been decided to limit the number of permits for collecting eggs of protected birds, and to confine them to genuine scientific workers. Collecting for trading purposes would be discouraged as much as possible. The latter determination was taken exception to by seyeral members, and the letter was referred to the committee for further consideration. REPORTS. A report of the excursion to Lil}-dale on Saturday, 17th April, was forwarded by Mr. R. E. Luher, B.A., who acted as leader in the unavoidable absence of the leader, Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S. The party first visited the well-known Cave Hill limestone quarry, and spent some time in the search for fossils, with considerable success, a number of characteristic species being obtained, including a fine specimen of Euomphalus. The ascent was then made to the top of the hill, where the physiography of the district was pointed out, and the fine panorama greatly admired under the influence of a setting sun on an autumn afternoon. A report of the excursion to Studlcy Park for geology on Saturday, ist May, was forwarded by the leader, Mr. R. E. Luher, B.A. Though a somewhat bleak and showery after- noon, there was a fair attendance of members, who showed considerable interest in the story of the physiographical features of the park and its surroundings. It was shown by specimens <»f a graptolite, Monograptus, sp., that the rocks exposed in 40 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [voi"xxxvii the road cuttings arc of Silurian age, and not Ordovician, as mentioned in the Naturalist of August, 191Q. A visit was paid to Dight's Falls, and the hardened band of sandstone, witli its many small quartz veins, which causes the fall, Mas pointed out, the ripple markings exhibited in many places pointing to the probabilitv of deposition in shallow water. A report of the visit to tlie National Museum on Saturday, 15th May, was given by the leader, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., Curator of Zoolog}-, who said that memliers liad been gnatly interested in seeing the store-rooms and other portions of the Museum not accessible to the general public. Surprise had been expressed at the amount of material available for display when required, or for research work. A brief glance at the " H. L. White " ornithological collection concluded an inter- esting afternoon. A report of the excursion from Evelyn to Mooroolbark on Monday, 7th June (King's Birthday), was forwarded by the leader, ^Ir. Cr. Coghill, who reported a fair attendance of members. The day was somewhat boisterous and unsettled ; however, the members enjoyed the ramble. Flowers of about thirty species were noted, and, though not of any great interest, they were sufficient to indicate that the locality is worth visiting in the spring, when many others would deck tlie hillsides. A number of species of ferns were seen along the Lilydale water- race, and small specimens obtained for liome cultivation. A report of the visit to the National Herbarium on Saturday, 19th June, was forwarded by Mr. j. K. 'I\)vey, who acted as leader in the unavoidable absence of tlie leader, Prof. A. J. Ewart, D.Sc, Government Botanist. The members were greatly interested in the historical treasures of the Herbarium — plants collected by Petiver (1703), Banks and Solander (1770), and Robert Brown (1802) — which have been referred to in previous notes about the Herbarium {\'ict. Nat., xxiv., p. 14b ; xxvi., p. 83 ; and xxxi., p. (hj), and which are still in. an ex- cellent state of preservation. An inspection was made oi the library, which contains many valuable works of pre-Linnitan authors, such as O'Brunfel's " Hi-rbarium Icones " (1032), r'uchs's " Historia Stirpium " (1542), Dodoneus (i5b()), and Grew's "Anatomy of Plants" (1O82), as well as a very large collection of all classes of works dealing with botany in its many aspects. A report of the; visit to the; (ieologieal Museiun on Saturday, loth July, was, in the absence ot tin- leader, Mr. R. ,\. KebK-, given by Mr. R. W . Armitage, M.Sc, who reported tlutt there had been a fair attendance of members, who were very interested in the fine di.splay of Victorian (■(■f)nomie miiu-nd-^. i\c., .md the information given about them. ^j"^-. J Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings: 41 ANNUAL REPORT. The acting lion, secretary, Mr. E. E. Pescott, E.L.S., read the fortieth annual report for the ^-ear i{)i9-20, wliich was as follows : — " To THE Members of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria. " Ladies and Gentlemen, — In presenting the fortieth annual report of the Club for the year ended 30th April, 1920, your committee record their thanks for the hearty support of the members during the past twelve months. " At the beginning of the year the roll of membership numbered 233. During the year 15 ordinary, 5 country, and 2 associate members were elected ; and, allowing for deaths and resignations, at the close of the year there were 246 enrolled, showing an increase of 13. " Early in the current year the Club lost by death one of its life members, Mr. B. R. Patey. Recently, it was our regret to sustain the loss of Mr. George Sweet, F.G.S., whose long- continued membership and whose valuable support were much appreciated. Another member, Mr.' W. T. C. Kelly, also passed away, who, although a comparatively recent member, was a very enthusiastic one. To tlie relatives and friends the Club offers its deepest sympatliy in their loss. " The monthly meetings have been held regularly, and the scientific as well as the popular side of the Club's work has been maintained in the usual high degree. There has been an average attendance of between 60 and 70 at the meetings, and the discussions and papers have been interesting and well sustained. Lectures and papers have been delivered on botany, ornithology, geology, physiography, and zoology, as well as on several general subjects, while the use of lantern views was frequent. " The following lectures and papers were delivered : — ' A Week among the Seaweeds at Portsea,' by Mr. A. H. S. Lucas, M.A. ; ' Crleanings of a City Naturalist,' by ]\Tr. J. Searle ; 'About "Pet Peter," a Plying Phalanger,' by Mr. 'j. Booth, M.C.E., B.Sc. ; ' P)irds of a Gippsland Crarden,' by Miss C. C. Currie ; ' (Growing Perns in the Open,' by Mr. A. H. S. Lucas, M.A. ; ' Notes on the Coleoptcra of North-Western Victoria,' Parts VIL and VIIL, by Mr. J. C. Goudie ; ' A Girls' Camp at the National Park, Wilson's Promontory,' by Miss (r. Nether- cote ; ' At Wartook (Grampians),' by Mr. C. Daley, B.A., I-'.L.S. ; ' Wild Life in Tasmania,' by Messrs. G. Wcindorfer and (r. Francis ; ' On the Occurrence of Recent Travertin h^ormation near Yass, N.S.W.,' by Mr. J. Shcarsby, F.R.M.S. ; ' Thnnigli the Murra IMurra (Western Grampians),' by Mr. J. W. .\udas. 42 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [voi'xxxvii. F.L.S. In addition, two popular evenings were lield. The February meetint:; was devoted to ' Notes of Holiday Rambles,' and the following gave accounts of their Christmas holi- day work : — Dr. C. S. Sutton, ' A Visit to Mud Island ' ; Mr. F. Pitcher, ' The Noojee Valley ' ; Miss G. Nethercotc, ' To Mallacoota ' ; Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, ' A Trip to Britannia Creek'; Mr. C. Daley, B.A.. F.L.S. , 'From Alexandra to Healesville ' ; Mr. H. B. Williamson, ' At Mallacoota ' ; Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., ' Arthur's Seat District.' Messrs. F, Chapman and C. Lambert also showed an excellent series of shdes of geological physiography of districts near Melbourne at the March meeting. " The excursions of the Club have been regularly maintained during the past year, and the attendances of members and friends have been good. It must not be forgotten that we are a Field NaturaUsts' Club, and that the field excursions are among the more important work of the Club. The excursion programme extends from August to July. During the year excursions were made to thirty-two distinct places and locali- ties, distant ones being made to Bendigo, Rosebud, to the Grampians, and to the Loch Valley. Over twenty subjects were studied and observed, and over two do/.en memlx^rs acted as leaders of the excursions. " In February the committee entertained tlie members at the Zoological Gardens, where a successful social gathering was held and afternoon tea served. Thanks are given to Messrs. Le Souef and Wilkie, who conducted the members iviund the (iardcns. " At the June meeting extra attention was given to the exhibition of specimens. There was a large attendance of members and friends, and the display of objects included all branches of natural history. " It is always gratifying to record honours that have come to members of the Club. This time one of our old members, and one who has supported the Club as an officer .and com- mitteeman, and also by supplying valuabh; paper's, Mr. Frederick Chapman, A.L.S., has added honours to the Club. Mr. Chapman was awarded the Symc^ prize of /loo by the University of Melbourne for his valuable work on pakeontology. In addition, our distinguished fellow-member has been appointi'd Lecturer on Paheontology to the Melbourne I'liiversity. 'J'he committee and Club wish him every success. Another dis- tinction came to the Club in the early part of the year, when our fellow-member, Mr. F. Mann, M.A., LL.B., was elevated to a Supreme Court justiccsh'p. The Club heartily congratulated Mr. Justice Mann on his acceptance of the position. " After many years of successful labour as Professor of Au j"f^'] Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 43 Biology at the Melbourne University, Professor Sir Baldwin Spencer, K.C.M.G., M.A., D.Sc, retired from that position during the year. His place is taken by Professor Agar, D.Sc, of England. Professor Spencer is one of the past presidents of the Club, and has always been its ardent supporter. Your committee wish him a long and happy retirement. " Your committee record with great pleasure that the conservation of our forests has now been established upon a satisfactory basis, and that a commission of three, with Mr. Owen Jones, of England, as its head, and with Messrs. Mackay and Code as his associated members, has been established. The commission is free from political control, and is proceeding to place the establishment and finances of our forests on a firm and permanent footing. " The Plant Names Committee is still pursuing its laborious task of compiling vernacular names for our flora. The lists are now almost complete, and it is anticipated that during the coming year its labours will be completed in the publication of the revised list. Eighty meetings of the committee heive now been held. Piofessor Ewart, F.L.S., has been chairman, and Dr. C. S. Siitton secretary, since its inception. Occasional changes have been made in the personnel of the committee, mainly owing to the removal of members from Melbourne. The following have been occupied in the work since its beginning : — Professor Ewart, D.Sc, Ph.D., F.L.S. , Dr. C. S. Sutton, Dr. J. A. Leach, Messrs. F. G. A. Barnard, G. Coghill, ]. P. M'Lennan, F. Pitcher, P. R. H. St. John, J. R. Tovey, J. Cronin, F.R.H.S., H. B. WiUiamson, J. W. Audas, F.L.S., C. Daley. B.A., F.L.S., A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., W. R. A. Baker, E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., and F. Morris. The members of the committee are now engaged in the preparation of the manu- script, which, when completed, will be placed in the pubhshers' hands. This work is being done in sections, each member having undertaken to prepare a section of an equal number of pages. It is proposed, when completed, that the ' List ' will contain b(jtanical name, vernacular name, duration and time of flowering, size of plant, colour, localit}-, habitat, uses, and general remarks, including also a brief key for the identification of the genera and species. " During the year the opinion of the Club was sought by the Fisheries and Game Department as to the desirability of continuing egg-collecting permits, collectors being allowed under the permit to collect no more than three clutches of eggs of protected birds. Tlie I)ej)artment reported tluit only two permits were under issue. After extended discussion the Club resolved—' That the Club is decidedly opposed to the issue of the permits.' The Club having made comi)laint to the 44 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [vr of eucah'pts by repeated defolia- tion. Nearly fifty species of plants have been introduced, either by seeds or young plants. Young Cabbage-tree Palms, Lividona aiistralis, planted in Lilypilly Gully nearly three years ago are apparently well established. "It is gratifying to record that continued interest is being shown by public bodies in the native flora and fauna. At Preston the large and newly-opened Edwards Park is being planted with many Australian trees and shrubs, and the move- ment, in which the Club took part, to make this park a sanctuary for native birds and game has hwn successful in attaining its aim. A large area of land at l-'ssendon was donated to the community l)y I\Ir. T. Xapier, witji the provision that the old gum-trees are to be preserved as long as possible. At Elsternwick Park two portions have been set apart for growing native flora, and beds for the same purpose ari- now established at the Flagstaff Gardens. The Camberwell City Council has acquired the well-known Australian garden of Mr. J. Watson, which is to be added to l-Jeckctt Park and kept as an Australian garden. At the Melbourne l^otanic (iardi'ns the Curator, Mr. J. Cronin, still continues to imi)rove and add to the alrc'ady splendid collection of native plants on the Aus- tralian border and elsewlicrc in tin- gardens. " The annual exhibition of wild-Howers was lu Id in the Melbourne Town Hall on ;oth Septeiriber, i()i')- It was decidefl tliat the profits of this show should i)i' e(|n;ill\- (li\ided between the ' .\nzac House fund' and the fund iov the pul)lishing of the ' Vernacular Plant Names J.ist.' The show was as equally attractive as in previous years, and tjie attend- ance of members and the public was excellent. The disj^lay of '^"f^'j Field Naturalists' Club— Proceedings. 45 our indigenous flora was a splendid one, the Grampians exhibit being specially fine. There were also exhibits sent by curators of Botanic Gardens and friends from other States. The show was opened by Brigadier-General Brand, the State Commandant, and the profits yielded £167 3s. 5d. The thanks of your committee are cordially given to all ladies and gentlemen who so freely gave of their time and labour to make the show a spectacular, educational, and financial success. " At the election of ofhcers for the year, Mr. P. Crosbie Morrison was elected hon. secretary ; but after several months of faithful work, acting under medical advice Mr. Morrison was compelled to resign his office. His place was taken by Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., who offered to act as secretary till the conclusion of the financial year. " The editorship of tlie Victorian Naturalist has continued in the hands of Mr. F. (r. A. Barnard. For many 3/cars this arduous work has been a labour of ]o\'e to our hon. editor, and it is rare indeed to find any error in the journal, to which members look forward eagerly from month to month. Your committee desire to record with gratitude the great services rendered to the Club by Mr. Barnard. The Naturalist goes to all parts of the world, and the requests for its delivery to America, to Europe, and even to China and Japan, are in- creasing. It is to be regretted that a strike in the printing trade interfered recently with the continuity of publication — the first break in the thirty-five years' existence of the Naturalist ; but publication lias now, happily, been resumed. " The library has ])een in the capable hands of Mr. P. R. H. St. John, who has continued to devote an extra night monthly to it, with Mr. W. Glance as assistant. Mr. Glance is also assistant secretary. To these, and others, your committee tender their grateful thanks for services rendered. The whole (jf the officers have always given hearty service, and the com- mittee records witli gratitude that during the forty years' work of the Club there has never been a paid officer. " The committee desires to direct the attention of members to rule 9, which provides for the removal of names from the roll of members of those who owe two years' subscriptions or more. It may be pointed out that the cost of maintaining the Club is annually increasing, and that no increase has as yet been made in the su])scription. Prompt payment of subscrip- tions on the part of tlie membiu's relieves the treasure^' of an immense; amf)unt of work, and enal)l(S the rommiftrc to know and to work on its resource's. " Th(^ committee desires to record with ])leasure that the financial position of the Club is senmd. It is feared that, owing to the increases in wages as a result of tlie printers' strike, the 46 Field Xaturalists' Club — Pivceedin^s. [vj'xxxvii cost of the production of the Xaliit'cilist iiKiy he increased in the near future. On tliat account alone the committee urge the prompt payment of subscriptions, so that the increase of the annual subscription, which sometimes seems inevitable, may be postponed as long as possible. The treasurer's report shows a credit balance of £72 8s. lod., in addition to a War Loan bond for £20. " Your committee again 'desire to lu^i'rlily thank Messrs. Coghill and Haughton for their continued kindness in allowing the free use of their office for the monthly committee meetings. It is a great advantage to the individual nuMnhers to be id)le to meet so centrally each month. " In conclusion, your committee desire to express their satis- faction that their efforts to maintain the traditions of the Club, and to faithfulh' furtlier its aims, have always been supported by the members. The committee trusts that the loyal support so given will be continued during ihc coming year, and that every effort will be made to increase the membership, so that the work and finances may both flourish. " On l)e]ialf of the Committee, " A. D. HARDY, President. " ED. E. PESCOTT, Hon. Secrelary. " Melbourne, 2nd June, i()20." On the motion of Messrs. P. R. 11. St. John and H. 13. Williamson, the rc-port was received and adopted. FINAXCL\L STATEMENT. The hon. trctasurer, Mr. F. Pitcher, who paid a trilnite to the. fine work of his predecessor in office, Mr. G. Coghill, presented the financial statement for 1919-20, which was as follows : — r 1 .\- .\ N CI .M. ST ATE M E N T . The lion, treasurer, Mr. 1"". Pitcher, presented the Iniancial statenu-nt for 1919-20, which was as follows : — KEClill'Ib. Tu Balance, 30lh Ai^iil, 1919 ... ... ... .^5^ 'S 9 ,, Subscrii)lions — Ordinary Members ... £12^ n o Country Members ... jo 16 6 Associate Members ... 276 ;^'5S 15 o* ,, Vhtorian Naturalist — Subscription-s and Sales S 8 3 Advertisements ... i 10 o Reprints ... ... o 8 o 10 6 ,, Sales of Badges • .■ o 14 h ,, Interest, Savings Bank and War Loan ... 3 5 3 173 ' •^"^^•"1 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 47 13rought forward ... ... ... ... jC~S^ '6 9 To Wild-flower E.xhibition — Admissions ... ... 163 13 o Sales of Flowers ... 55 '4 3 Donation ... ... 050 219 12 3 Donation towards Publication of Plant Names 219 17 3 As I 14 o •Subscriptions : — Arrears, ^'28 13s. 6d. ; 1919-20, ;i{^i2i 19s. ; advance, /CS 2s. 6d, — total .^^158 15s. Expenditure. By Victoriatt Naturalht — Printing (II months) ... £()0 17 5 Illustrating ... ... o 17 4 Free Reprints ... 3 10 o Reprints charged ... 0180 £9^ 2 9 ,, Victorian Naturalist — Wrapping and Posting ... ... 18 18 5 ,, Rooms — Rent and Attendance ... ... 13 15 o ,, Library — Periodicals ... ... 2 14 o Insurance ... ... o 7 o ,, Hire of Lantern ... ... ... i 10 ,, Printing ... ... ... ... 16 3 ,, Donation — Spencer Fund ... ... i i ,, Postages, &c. ... ... ... 8 16 ,, Wild-flower Exhibition — Hall and .Attendance ... 20 15 o Piano and Orchestra ... 4 4 o Expenses ... ... 27 14 10 52 13 10 ,, Payment to Anzac House Fund ... ... 83 9 3 ,, Deposit in Savings Hank towards Publica- tion of Plant Names, including Donation (see contra) ... ... ... 83 14 2 ,, Balance in Savings Bank ... ... 54 8 4 )> M London Bank ... ... 18 o 6 '59 7 II 219 17 3 72 8 10 /."45' 14 o F. PITCHER, Hon. Treasurer. 2%th May, 1920. Audited and found correct. F. WISEWOUI.D.I ^ ,. l^tJi /itne, \()2o. F. KELP, '^^ Auditors. 48 Field Xaturalifits' Club— Proceedings. [vli""xxxvil. The following statement of assets and liabilities was also presented : — Assets. Balance — Savings Bank and Lundon Bank ... ... £^2 S lo War Loan Bond ... ... ... ... ... 20 o o Arrears of Suhscriplions (;^6o), say... ... ... 40 o o Library and Furniture (Insurance A'aliie) ... ... 150 o o Deposit in Savings Bank for Plant Names Publication ... 83 14 2 £z(>(> LlABII.ITIES. Subscriptions paid in advance ... ... ... £^ 2 6 Deposit for Publication of Plant Names ... ... 83 14 2 £91 16 8 On the motion of Messrs. E. Cox and C. Daley, ^r..\., tlie statement was received and adopted. .\ vote of tlianks to the officers for tlie past year, proposed l)y Mr. J. Stickland and seconded by Mr. \i. Cox, was carried unanimously. The retiring president, Mr. A. 1). Hardy, F.L.S., in acknowledging the vote, referred to the generous action of Mr. E. E. Pescott, who for several months had acted as honorary secretary when the Club was hard pressed to find a successor to Mr. P. C. Morrison, \\lio had to rt'lincjiiish tlir position owing to ill-health. ELECTION OF OFFlC"E-]iE.\KEKS, H)20-Zl. The following office-l)earers, Ixnng the only nominations received, were declared duly elected: — President, Mr. J. Crabriel ; hon. treasurer, Mr. F. Pitcher : hi in. librarian, Mr. P. R. H. St. John ; hon. cxlitor, Mr. V. (r. .\. Barnard ; hon. secretary, Mr. R. W. Armitage, M.Sc, F.G.S. ; and hon. assistant secretary and librarian, Mr. \\. Glance. On a ballot being takiMi for two vice-presidents, Messrs. V. Chapman, A.L.S., and C. Daley, M.A., F.L.S., were duly elected. On a ballot being taken for five members of committee, Messrs. G. Coghill, A. D. Hardv, F.L.S., J. A. Kershaw. 1<.E.S., ]. Searle, and C. S. Sutton, M.B., B.S., were duly elected. Mr. A. D. Haidy in vacating the chair, after two years' occu- ])ancy, in favour of the newly-elected president, Mr. J. Gabriel, thanked the committee and members lor the assistance they had given him in carrying out his duties as president of tlie Club. He mentioned that li<: had prepared a presidctntial address reviewing the work ol the Ckib and its possibilities, but owing to the lateness of the hour it must be taken as read, and would appear in the Naturalist* * [Owing to pressure of work, due to tlic recent strike, the .iddn ss c onld not be set up in time for this number. — Ed. ]'icl. Nat.] Aug., 1920 1 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 49 Mr. Hardy also announced that His Excellency the Governor- General, who is an hon. member of the Club, and who would shortly be leaving Australia, had presented a framed photo- graph of himself, which would be reproduced in the next Naturalist, as a memento of his association with the Club, and he hoped that before leaving His Excellency would forward a communication to the members. On taking the presidential chair, Mr. Gabriel intimated that he would serve the Club to the best of his powers. He said that the Club could do more work, and that of a valuable nature. For instance, more could be done by a Club such as this in the investigation of insect and fungus pests ; for example, the blight of the tomato. He cited Pasteur's salvation of the silk industrj^ of France. This should be an inspiration. He asked — Why can we not have an Australian Pasteur ? GENERAL BUSINESS. In accordance with notice, Mr. H. B. Williamson moved the motions standing in his name, as publislied in the Naturalist for June (page 9). Considerable discussion took place, and linaUy it was agreed that the several matters be considered by the committee with the view of meeting Mr. Williamson's ideas as far as practicable, Mr. Williamson agreeing to alter the word "considers" in the first motion to "suggests." Mr. F. Pitcher referred to the acquirement of Mr. J. Watson's garden at Balwyn by the Camberwell City Council, and moved — " That this Club convey its hearty congratulations to the Camberwell City Council for having acquired Mr. Watson's Australian garden, adjoining Beckett Park, Balwyn, as a public reserve. The Club would express the hope that the collection of Australian trees and plants would be added to from time to time in order that visitors may become acquainted with the value of Austrahan vegetation for decorative purposes. The Club would also suggest that in any scheme of planting in Beckett Park only native trees and shrubs be used, in order that the area may be made a distinct attraction to visitors as a collection of entirely Australian plants." The motion was seconded by Mr. H. B. Williamson and supported by Mr. F. Wisewould, and carried unanimously. Mr. E. Cox recommended to the committee the purchase of a reading stand, which, he considered, would lead to a better dehvery of the papers read before the Club. Mr. J. Gabriel said that he would be pleased to liiake and present a suitable stand to the Club. Mr. A. D. Hardy referred to the fox question at Phillip Island, and said from what he could gather the recent fox drive had not achieved much success, owing to the great amount of cover ; 50 Field Na/iiralists' Clnh— Proceedings. [voT." xxxvii many of the foxes seen had evaded their pursuers. During a recent visit he had seen dead Mutton-birds, not only on the hummocks, but some distance away, which indicated that they must he killed by foxes. EXHIBITS. By Mr. C. J. Gabriel.— Marine shells, Miirex palmaroscc. Lam., and M. tcnuispina, Lam., from Ceylon ; M. pinnatiis, Wood., from China ; and M. cervicornis, Lam., from Northern Aus- tralia. By Mr. .\. D. Hardy, F.L.S., on behalf of Mr. \V. J. Code.— Pair of ichneumon flies, Myristica, sp., taken on an Ironbark sapling in the Heathcote district. This is a -useful forest insect which deposits its eggs in tlie destructive wood-boring larvcX^ of various beetles and moths. After the usual conversazione tlie meeting terminated. Exhibition of Wild - Flowers. — The Field Naturahsts' section of the Roj^al Society of South Australia purpose holding an exhibition of wild-flowers in Adelaide early in October, and will be glad of help from Victorian flower-lovers. The com- mittee of the F.N.C. will be glad if some of its members will contribute to the Adelaide exhibition, and thus reciprocate for the help received here from that State. Mr. E. H. Ising, Institute Building, North-terrace, Adelaide, will be glad t(> furnish further details. The Late Mk. John Booth, M.C.IC, B.Sc. — We have to again mourn the loss of a member of the Field Naturalists' Club. On Sunday, 25th July, Mr. John Booth, M.C.Ii:.. B.Sc, was suddenly called to his long rest. Mr. Booth, though his tastes were inclined to microscopy, was a versatile scientist. He frequently attended meetings of the Club, and in May, iqtq, contributed an extremely interesting paper on the ways, in captivity, of a Flying I'luilangcr. The paper was happily put together, and a model for other members. Several members of the Club and of the Microscopical Society were among the many friends present at the interment in ('ol)nrg Cemetery on M(Mifl;iv- afternoon, the 2()th ult. Cfte U[cforlaii naturalise Vol. XXXVII.— No. 5. SEPTEMBER 9, 1920. No. 441. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, gth August, 1920. The president, Mr. J. Gabriel, occupied the chair, and about fifty members and friends were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr. G. Coghill, intimating that a friend of the Club had offered a donation of £10, to be used in part payment of the expenses of char-a-banc outings. The committee ha\ang decided to accept the offer, it was resolved that the thanks of the Club be tendered to the unknown donor, through Mr. G. Coghill, for his very acceptable gift. From Mr. A. G. Brown, on behalf of residents of the Noojee district, asking the Club's support in cin effort to get an area of Mountain Ash country reserved from cutting as a typical sample of Victoria's forest resources. It was pointed out that the area indicated had already been handed over to the War Service Homes Commission, but it was resolved, on the motion of Messrs. Daley and Harvey, that the Club is in sympathy with the movement, and will give every assistance towards getting such an area permanently reserved. From Mr. W. Glance, resigning his office of assistant hon. secretary and hbrarian, owing to ill-health. Resolved that the resignation be accepted with regret, and that the thanks of the Club be tendered to Mr. (Jlance for his services during the past five years. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mr. Harry Borch, 17 Tait-strcct, Newport, and Dr. George Home, 63 Collins-street, Melbourne, were duly elected as ordinary members of the Club. GENER.\L BUSINESS. At the invitation of the chairman, the members rose and stood in silence for a few moments as a mark of respect to the memory of their late fellow-member, Mr. John Booth, M.C.F., B.Sc, who had passed away sinct^ the last meeting of the Club. .\ geni-ral discussion took place on the arrangements for the exhibition of wild-flowers in September. The chairman mentioned the difficulties which had beset the committee in endeavouring to secure a hall for the display. The only room available for the date fixed was the upper hall at the Melbourne 52 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [vc!('xxxvii Tdwii Hall, and this had been secured for Tuesday, 28th September. Though not quite so convenient as the main hall, he thought it would prove a satisfactory substitute. He asked members to urge their country friends to send repre- sentative collections, which should reach the hall early on the day appointed. It had been suggested that exhibits of other departments of natural history should be included, but, on the motion of Messrs. H. B. Williamson and C. French, jun., it was decided that the exhibits be confined to wild-flowers. Mr. F. Pitcher suggested that at one of the monthly meetings during the winter there might be a general display of natural history specimens. On the motion of Messrs. A. D. Hardy and H. B. Williamson, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the president for his gift of a handsome reading desk of his own construction. PAPERS READ. 1. By Mr. G. A. Kcartland, entitled " Some Introduced Animals." The autlior gave a number of interesting facts as the result of the introduction into Australia, and particularly \'ictoria, of animals which in their native land were not regarded as pests, whereas here they had not only become pests, but had cost the country millions of pounds, without any compensating advantages. He referred principally to rabbits, foxes, hares, cats, and deer, and remarked that this result was greatly due to the increased fecundity of the animals imder notice in their southern habitat. Several members took part in an interesting discussion on the paper. 2. By Mr. D. Best, entitled " To the Alps for Coleoptera." The author gave some account of a collecting trip, mainly for beetles, to Mount St. Bernard and Harrietville in December last. He said that, though a number of interesting species had been secured, the results of the trip were not what he had anticipated — whether owing to a difference in the season or to the fact that numerous fires had taken place in the high ranges he could not say. However, he intended, all being well, to try the locality again dunng the coming sumiuer. REMARKS ON EXHIBITS. Mr. H. B. Williamson called attention to a clock-case of polished sheoke made by Mr. G. A. Williamson, in which the grain of the wood was well brought out. Mr. C. French, jun., drew attention to a number of species of Victorian scale insects, seven of which WTre new to science. Three of these had been collected by Mr. J. E. Uixon, and the rest by himself. •*'^P'- 1 Field Naturalists' Ch(h — Proceedings. 53 EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. Cudmore. — Fragment of tusk of the American Mastodon (Late Tertiary formation), from Alaska, North America. By Mr. C. French, jun. — Ten species of scale insects from the Mallee, Warburton, and Gembrook ; life-history of Glass-wing l^utterfly, Acrcea andromacha, found breeding on passion fruit plants at Mysia, Northern Victoria (first record for Victoria) ; specimen of Chequered Swallow-tail Butterfly, Papilio sthenelus, taken on Salvia plants near Melbourne last summer (a rare butterfly in Victoria). By Rev. A. J. Malier. — Specimens of orchid, Pkrostylis nutans, Nodding Grecnhood, from Wonthaggi. By Mr. H. B. Williamson. — Clock-case made of Sheoke, Casuarina, sp., by Mr. G. A. WiUiamson. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. CoRRECTiox. — By an unfortunate slip the words " Craufurd " and " Munro " were transposed in the title of the plate in the August Naturalist. A corrected slip is forwarded herewith for attachment to the plate. The Black Snail. — At the January meeting of the Club {Vict. Nat., xxxvi., p. 134) a question was asked regarding the nature of the food of the Black Snail, Paryphanta airamentaria. In a paper by Miss Olive Davies, M.Sc, which appeared in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria in 1913, an account is given of the anatomy of this snail and of the allied species, P. compacta, both of which are said to be carnivorous. Miss Davies says : — " The radula is large, as is usual in the carnivorous land mollusca." This radula, or lingual ribbon, measured in the specimen examined by Miss Davies about 20 X 5 mm., which is about five times the area of that of an ordinary slug or snail of equal size. Miss Davies found in the radula about 98 rows, each containing approximately 118 teeth. A specimen of similar size recently examined bore about 108 rows, each containing on an average over 150 teeth. The teeth are sharp spines, with an inferior enlargement to strengthen their adhesion to the radula, and are curved — those near the middle slightly, but the marginal ones much more so, as well as being shorter. The radula strikingly resembles that of Testacella, a European slug bearing a rudimentary shell, and which is said to live on earthworms. The disposition of the teeth, and their form, are almost identical, except that in Testacella the points are barbed. The; oceanic snail, lanthina, which feeds on Acaleph.'e, is said to have a radula of similar character,— W, M. Bam:. Kew, jotli Ma^•, 1920. 54 Presidential Address. [voi.'xxxvii. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. [The following address was intended to have been dehvered by the retiring president (Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S.) at the fortieth annual meeting of the Club on I2th July last, but, owing to the lateness of the hour, had to be held over. — Ed. Vict. Nat.] At a time when, evolving from the war, rapid improvements are taking place in locomotion generally by air, land, and water, and especialh' in aviation, the naturahst foresees a hlling up of the blank places of zoogeographic and phytogeographic charts. The world, so far as the wide spaces are concerned, seems to shrink, and the reconnaissance survey of remote parts to give way to detailed examination of smaller areas. African, Australian, and other aerodromes become centres from which investigation of natural history phenomena go hand in hand with commercial adventure, as the flying man peers into recesses of the land and into depths of the sea hitherto un- discovered by the seeing eye, and one of the early results to be expected is the hght that will be thrown on the mysteries of migration of birds and whales and other elusive fauna as the time-beaten tracks of these are intersected or followed by the new routes of human travel. We have no fear of the lessening of tlie marine fu'ld, for, though the examination intensifies, the immensity is constant. Only parts of the fringing seas, where bay and estuary silts are polluted by river-borne or dredged sewage, becomi> a source of anxiety — the matter being one of concern alike for the fishing industry, the naturalist, and the health officer ; and to this extent only is the marine biologist troubled as to diminution of his hunting-ground. Turning from the world at large to our own State of Victoria, we have the same shrinkage of the terrestrial field of nature study as the " squatters' nms " (and with them the larger fauna) disappear. How many members of this Club have seen a flock of kangaroo, red or grey, in their wild state ? I venture to say that, excepting the veti-ran members, very few can answer in the affirmative. The impetus given to closer settKnient in the process of repatriation of discharged soldiers means the brraking-up of large estates and the curtailment or abolition of harbours of refuge which, years ago, were ungrudgingly afforded by many of the large land-holders. Further, following the operations of the Country Roads Board and the Parliamentary Railways Standing Committee, better access is being given to the back country ; and along these lines of communication, whether original or improved, settlement will proceed, and the existence ByMJ m 3D O c CO 33 <) > 2 r - b o ^.'P,'''] Pyesidential Address. 55 1920 J J J of some rare species of plants and animals endangered. Incidentally, however, it follows that access to remote parts of the State will become easier for the naturalist, and the records of natural history pioneer work of such as Sir Ferdinand von Mueller * or Dr. George Neumayer f will in time read like romance. While bay and estuary and lake remain, therefore, much as before — the silting up of the Gippsland Lakes being a very slow process — the river and creek of the uplands, the small billabong and anabranch of the plains or river flats, and all that is in them or in their immediate environment, may fare badly before many interesting problems have been solved. But at least there should be left to us the forest reserves ; and this brings me to the part of my address on which I would place most emphasis. The Victorian reserved forest area J is about 4I million acres, or, roughly, about 6,500 square miles, equal to, approximately, one-thirteenth of the total area of the State — little enough when compared with that of many other countries. In this wealth of woodlands even the chief of the many commercial assets is not fully understood, for the eucalypts (to say nothing of their associates), whether in respect of their morphology, physiology, ecology, or economics, have not yielded all their secrets. With 4! milhon acres of land reserved we may feel fairly safe against settlement (the area of forest land that can be practically settled under provisions of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act being negligible), but drought and fire and the exigencies of timber famine have to be reckoned with, as well as destruction by animals and by vegetable parasites, &c. And this is where the Club's future usefulness might be maniferted. First as to collective and individual responsibility. In order to be a custodian of the forests it is not necessary to have a " gazetted " appointment. Are we not too prone to think of the ownership of the forests with an air of detachment, as affecting the property of the Government ? The forests are the property of the people. Every member of this Club is part owner, with, presumably, an intelligent interest in bis property, or at least with a desire to know and appreciate it. They are not a speculative concern. We cannot sell our shares ; our liability is unlimited. Part of our income tax is money invested in this property, which we are bound to guard, cherish, and improve with as much /est as though it were a sheep farm, a factory, or a dwelling-house. Now, all the zeal and expert scientific treatment whieli we may have at our command in the directorate an- of little effect unless backed * Vide Barnard, Vict. Nat., xxi., p. 17. t Vide Barnard, Vict. Nat., xx.xiv., \^. 185. I Vide Hardy, " Forests of Victoria," Vict. Nat., xxxii., pp. 69, uu. 56 Presidential Address. [vor'xxxvii by the sympathv and encouragement of tlie sliareholding community ; and I am out to impress each member with the sense of his own responsibiUty. What property owner, other than he who owns forest reserves, would stand idly by and see his belongings damaged or deteriorated ? Until the time arrives at which the would-be incendiary, timber-thief, or grass- thief shall see in every approaching stranger, be he an official or a private citizen, a part owner of the property on which the intending malefactor has designs, this widespread forest wealth — necessarily impossible of complete or effective patrol — will suffer severely. Persistent checking of the offence in its attempt and the reporting of offences to the authorities become on tlie part of every citi/en a duty, not only to the State, but to himself. There must come a time when the malefactor, starting already at shadows, shall find those shadows material- izing, and in every footfall sense a source of danger to his selfish welfare. And in this proposed voluntary and honorary policing of the forests this Club, as a participant, should have many allies, for the forest has, fortunately, many aspects, as it should have many friends. It does not consist of timber trees and scrub only, though much of what we read might cause one to think so. The multiplicity of interests and the many minor industries, such as honey, oil, fibre, charcoal, fodder, tannin, and other chemicals, continue to increase, so that the awakening interest of the community is one of the l)est signs of the times. Our nearest and most potent allies should be the Ornithological, Union, the Forest League, the Royal Society, tl\e Town Planning Association, and the Horticultural Societies ; l)ut there are also artists and pliotographers and others with sentimental interests, besides the departments and societies with ])usiness interests in forest preservation, such as the Railways Tourists' Bureau, the State Rivers and Water Supj^ly Commission, and the Apiarists' Association. It may be regarded as a foregone con- clusion that practical help from all of these (•oml)ined or from a group; or, indeed, from any one of thtni. would be appreciated and welcomed by the Oovernment. The reliabilitation of the forest area lias ;ill the world over become a serious problem. In ICtirope the military destruction of forests has been enormous. ICnrojx- is looking to North America for supplies from the supposedly unlimited resources of that country. Jiut usage and waste in the United States and Canada before and during the war were together greater than replacement by artificial means and natural regeneration, and there have been strong protests against further exportation in view of homo requirements. Importations from the United States and Scandinavia will never again be what they were, owing to our own planting of coniferous woods and our present scheme of conservation of the hardwood forests now being put ^'P'-'l Presidential Address. i? 1920 J J' into effect by the Forests Commission. But the strain on the hardwood forests of Victoria is severe, and must continue so for a generation. Thus the care of our indigenous forests is a matter of paramount interest for this Club, and I venture to suggest hues of future work in this connection. Could we not form groups for the purpose of forest investigation ? One group might attack the important work of forest entomology, another forest ornithology, while the forest fungi and vegetable parasites and forest weeds could each absorb the activities of a group. There is also much to be done in ecological work and other sections of forestry. Those whose business it is to exploit the forests {e.g., sawmillers and timber merchants) take no initiative in these matters, but rely on the Government. The Government does not rely on us, but, unable itself to do everything that requires doing, might confidently be expected to assist in various ways work of a useful nature once begun and of fair promise. There is another field of work in danger of serious reduction, and affects the microscopists. This comprises the still waters near the city, wherein there is still abundance of unknown or little known life of either animal or vegetable nature. Many groups require working, and the few groups being worked require more students. The requisition is urgent, as the small ponds and marshes are disappearing in the outer suburban land reclamation and improvement. When it is remembered how easily microscopic forms of life, especially in spore form, are transferred by aquatic birds, &c., from pool to pool, and that the bird now swimming or wading in a near-by marsh may later be deHghtedly splashing in a distant reservoir of our water supply, the economic as well as scientific interest of such study as this field affords must be at once obvious, and the Ix-nefit in getting these microscopic organisms collected, examined, described, and recorded must be apparent. Finally, without wishing to exhaust the whole scheme of the Club's existing or future activities, I would say a few words as affecting the need of preservation of some types of animal and plant associations, some of them within easy reach of Melbourne, and others remote. There should be acquired, within the limits of an afternoon's excursion from the city, a coastal tea-tree area (the Leptospermetnm of the botanist), wWch should be available for botanical investigation only and reserved permanently for future generations of botanical students. The ordinary holiday camper, the vandal, and hoodlum would not gain access except as trespassers if permits were issued through secondary schools and scientific societies. Similarly, an area of Sandringham flora should be reserved, fenced, and protected by fire-breaks. l""urther afield, an urgent need of the ornithologist would l)e met by the pennanent 58 Presidential Address. [vl^j Nat. XXXVII. reservation in the Malice district of several areas as sanctuaries for those interesting forms of bird-life which, peculiar to the region, could not be acclimatized in the National Park at Wilson's Promontory. SClfeNCE AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE. In view of his early departure from Australia, His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Ronald ^lunro Ferguson, G.C.M.G., kindly invited some twenty-five prominent members of various scientific societies and kindred associations of Melbourne to afternoon tea at Government House on Saturday, 24th July. In the course of an informal chat Sir Ronald expressed the opinion that there should be a closer union of the scientific societies of the various States, and that there might be a council of representatives of such societies qualified to deal promptly, in case of need, with questions of general interest which might arise from time to time. His Excellency said that he regretted that the time had come when he must sever the interests which had grown up during his residence in Australia, and which would be long remembered by him. Ho had been greatly interested in Australian forestry, and, the conditions here being so different to those of the homeland, he could not claim to be more than a learner : but on liis return to Scotland he would again become a practical forester and do his utmost to ]>romote the. cultiva- tion (jf trees. Before leaving for Sydney and P)risbane His Excellency forwarded the following message to tlie ImcUI Naturalists' Club : — " One of m\- n'grets on heaving Melbourne' is that 1 hav(> not had time to go on more excursions with the Victorian Naturalists' Society. I ^;i^v enough of tin- society, however, to apprehend the good fi'llowship, love of country, knowledge of n;itiin;, that is (-ngendered by its discussions and peri'grinations. Its membership cannot be ioo numerous. " The close association of tlie I<"ield Naturalists' ("lub with the Royal, the Forest Teague, and other learned societies is the surest guarantee for that awakening of public attention to the ne(xl to conserve national pleasure grounds and to protect our forests from fire. It aids also in cuhivating that taste for geology uid physical geograph\- which adds so greatly to the joy and ' .tcrtst of life. "The soci<'t\ is in good hands, and 1 wisii it, with all my heart, all the support and consideration which it has earned, and the prosperous future which is its due. " R. M. iT:RGrsox. " Government House, I2tli August, 1920." ^j^P'^'l AuDAS, Through the Murra Murra Country. 59 THROUGH THE MURRA MURRA COUNTRY (WESTERN GRAMPIANS).* By J. W. AuDAS, F.L.S., F.R.M.S., National Herbarium, Melbourne. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 8th March, 1920.) During the past nine years my friend, Mr. C. W. D' Alton, and myself have at various intervals spent many happy weeks together exploring the Victorian Grampians, examining known localities and discovering unexamined ones, until no portion of that immense region remained to be investigated but the isolated and rarely traversed part which has been retained as a timber reserve by the Victorian Government, and is known as the Murra Murra State Forest. We had long dreamed and planned this trip, which would necessitate the use of mountain ponies, sturdy and sure-footed, camping outfit, and much strenuous cUmbing on our own part. In October last these hopes were realized. We were fortunate in securing horses that could be relied upon for the work, and we left " Kia-Ora," Mr. D'Alton's residence at Hall's Gap, early on the morning of Saturday, nth October, and started along the jinker track up the Stony Creek valley. As the sun rose, terraced ridges of distant hills showed dimly through a purple haze. The clear early morning air on the mountains was exhilarating, and the scent of the eucalypts (so strong before the dew has lifted) was delightful. For about two miles we had easy travelling, but when we turned on to the bridle path to the Victoria Valley the ascent became very steep — so much so, indeed, that we were frequently forced to dismount and lead our horses over some of the roughest pinclies. The scenery now was magnificent. The track we were following has been cut on the side of that appropriately- named peak Mount Difficult, which towered in its rugged grandeur above us, and in the dizzy distance of valleys imndreds of feet below Stony Creek wound like a silver ribbon. Beyond showed the western slopes of Mackey's Peak, rising a thousand feet or more. Its great side consists almost entirely of one huge sheet of rough scarified rock, and looks like the hide of some huge animal stretcliod out to dry, and on this account is called by many people " Tlie IClepliant's Skin." After passing the beautiful Venus Batli and tlu> Splitters' h'all, we struck the bridle track which leads over a saddle in tlie range between Mounts Rosea and Difficult. l<"rom this * Previous papers by Mr. Aiulas arc : — " One of Nature's Wonderlands — the Victorian Grampians," ]'ict. Nat., February, 1913 (xxix., p. 146); "The Grampians Revisited," \'icf. \'at., June, 1914 (xxxi., p. 24); " Nature in tlic Serra Range," Vict. Nat., April, 1919 (xxxv., p. 171). 6o AuDAs, Through (he Mitrra Murra Country. [v^"^xxxvii dividing ridge a wonderful panorama of the Victoria V-alley could be seen. Here the track throws off a branch to the right leading to Wartook Valley and the M'Kenzie Fall, but we continued strdght ahead. Descending the ranges of this unfrequented part, native fauna were particularly numerous, undisturbed, and happy in their mountain homes. We came suddenly upon an old Emu and a large clutch of chickens feeding with great rehsh on the berries of the Flame Heath, Aslroloma conostephioides. Quickly, on the approach of danger, the mother bird gave a loud warning call, and it was interesting to see tlie chicks immediately scatter in all directions and hide quickly in the undergrowth. Flocks of gaudy parrots, diverse and many-coloured in plumage, screamed noisily about us, quite eclipsing the glory of " Little Robin Redbreast," who hopped from twig to twig in his bright red waistcoat. High above, from the branches of a bare, dead tree, came the greeting of the wise Australian, " Mr. Kookaburra," who is loved by all, in spite of his scornful laughter. Though we made one more steep ascent, we were really gradually descending, and tlie vegetation at the Various alti- tudes became interesting. Here we came upon several nice patches of that handsome shrub with tubular red flowt'rs, Brachyloma ericoides, and the pretty Love Creeper, Comcspcrnta volubile ; the latter, covering bushes with sky-blue and purple flowers, gave a charming effect. Further down the slopes were great clumps of Golden Heath, Styphelia adscendens, and Mountain Grevillea, G. alpina, both of which had here adopted a trailing form, some clusters being several yards in circum- ference. Proceeding, we noticed on either side of tlie track full blooming specimens of Phchalinm bilobum, M chile itca squamea, Hakca rostrala, Pimclca linifolia, Culvlhrix iclni^onu, Grevillea oleoidcs, Grevillea rosmarini/olia, G. parvi flora, Slack- honsia viminea, Correa cemula, C. Lawrenciana, Boronia pilosa, Pseudanihus ovalijolius, and the handsome Blue Tinsel Lily, Calectasia cyanea. Further along, on the moist ground near a creek, were some fine bushes of Showy Bauera, B. scssili flora, some having flower-spikes ciuite three feet in length. Legu- minous plants were just coming into flower, and a week later would be; golden witli blossoms. The most advanced among them were Pultencra rosea, P. Bcnthami, P. mollis, P. villosa, P. scabra, Daviesia corxmbosa, Bossiwa riparia, B. cinerea, Dillwynia erici/olia, and /). florilnoida the twf) latter attaining tlu- iniusual height of seven feet. W'liih; now descending, we were (lankcd on our left by tlic; great surface of the mountain which is known as the western wall, and the rock scenery was magnificent indeed. When crossing a fertib- tea-tnH- flat wt- were surprised to find the ^j^P'^'l AuDAs, Through the Murra Murra Country. 6i Yellow Hakea, H. nodosa, growing to the height of twelve feet, for it is usually a dwarf shrub of three or four feet. The Tassel Cord Rush, Restio tetraphylliis, abounded here on swampy ground. This restiaceous plant is very ornamental, and would make a splendid I)order plant for edging lagoons in parks and gardens. It grows to about six feet, and is crowned by hand- some clusters of brown-tinted flower-heads. On the level country next traversed we passed fine groves of the wattles Acacia mollissima and A. dealhata. In the grassy glades between we disturbed mobs of large Forester Kangaroos and flocks of Emus. Our dog also created chaos among some fat and contented wild pigs which were vigorously uprooting the bracken fern, and they rushed off through the scrub with much indignant snorting and grunting. Following along one of the many lire-breaks whicli have been cut through the forest at intervals to check the ravages of bush-fires, we observed the tracks of a couple of deer, which we followed for some distance, but failed to catch a glimpse of the animals. Continuing, we passed through some fine red gum country, consisting largely of young growing timber, while in some cases the older trees had attained huge dimensions. We noted particularly one, inside the hollow of which several men could camp comfortably. Further on we passed through some fine yellow box country, in which locahty there are several fine large apiaries. Both yellow box and red gum are splendid honey-producing trees, and a large quantity of this useful commodit}^ is sent from this district to the Melbourne market. Deviating from the main track at this point, we traversed what is known as Mount Victory Range (recently so named in com- memoration of the termination of the great European war), and from this vantage-point a fine view is obtained. To the north one looks down upon Lake Wartook, nestling picturesquely among tlic sliade of surrounding hills, while to the south lies the Victoria Valley, walled on the one hand by the great mountains of the Victoria Range, with the head waters of the Glenelg River creeping around its base, and on the other by the Serra Range, stretching in numerous peaks, tier upon tier, to its termination in Mount Abrupt, near Dunkeld, just discernible in the distance. After resting and spending some time in examining this locaUty and feasting on the glorious views stretching in all directions from tliis point, we once more began our descent into tlie great solitary regions known as tlie Murra Murra and Victoria Valley. Game became plentiful when we reached the lagoons and swamps in more level country, and Black Duck, Teal, and Black Swans rose in great numbers as we disturbed them from their feeding-grounds. It was late in the cvt-ning before we struck 62 AuDAS, Through the Miirra Mitrra Country, [vok'xx'x'vii. the main road which runs from Horsham througli tlie mountains to Dunk(4d, and here we foimd ourselves in a dilemma, for neither of us was sure which direction led to the forest lodge, where the forest ranger resides, and where we had been kindly advised by Mr. Mackay, the Conservator of Forests, we could secure shelter for ourselves and our horses for the night. After some dehberation, lured by a telephone wire, wc decided to go south, and, following the road for some miles, came to the home of a beekeeper, wliere we learned that we had chosen exactly the wrong direction. As the black darkness of the forest had now set in, he kindly offered us shelter for the night, which we gladly accepted. Botli ourselves and our horses were tired from the long journey, having covered over twenty-five miles of difficult mountain country in the day. After enjoying a hearty meal with our host, we sat on a big gum log smoking and yarning till the hght of the moon stole softly out, turning the leaves of the forest into millions of shining silver shilhngs, and shy little opossums could be seen moving from bougli to bough, and the quick draught of squirrels gambolling overliead could be felt. Native bears or koalas were abroad, and the sad, plaintive note of the Curlew sounded in the distance. These and a hundred other sounds in the stUl hush of the forest night were as an open book to our host, who read to us therefrom many tales of bush life, and wc spent an enjoyable time listening to his reminiscences. In the morning we were up at daylight, and after a liunicd breakfast bade farewell to our host and started oft througli the red gum forest in tlie direction of Victoria Range, wliicli we reached about noon. Hero we had our mid-day meal on the banks of the Glcnelg River. Part of tlie afternoon was given up to examining the flora of the range, l)ut '1 j^roved ratlier dis- appointing, as flowers did not appear to l)c nearly so numerous as on the eastern side of the valley — viz., the Serra and Mount Difficult Ranges. The only plants worthy of note not pre- viously collected by us were : — Eucalyptus dives, Hihbcrtia hiimifusa, Sphcerolobium duvicsioidcs, Phyllota plcurandroidcs, Tcmplctonia Mucllcri, Cryptandru amara, C. tomcntosa, Chorctrnm glomendum, Plcurandropis p/whulioides, Goinpholohium minus, Lagcnophora cmphysopus, 0 per cul aria scobrida, Klynanthus capillaris, Lcpidobolus drapelocoleus, Brachycome gnnioearpa, Selaginclla Preissiana, Carcx brcviculmis, and Polyi^oimm lapathifolium. We therefore decided to follow the valley in a soutlierly direction, and rode for twelve miles through one continuous stretch of fnic red ginn forest, Eucalyptus roslrala, which is being most carefully conserved by the State I-'orests Department, portion being fenced and protected ixom rabbits, f(jr these mischievous little animals, in spite of the destrurtion ^iQ^o'J AuDAS, Through the Murra Miirra Country. 63 wrought upon them, seem to be still very numerous in this locality. Passing through part of the range known as Green's Gap, flowers again became numerous, and a most charming picture was produced by the golden blooms of Piiltencca mollis, the red of Dillwynia hispida, and th(^ white and blue of Calytrix Sullivani and Stypandra glauca. Blending in perfect luirmony, they showed up beautifully against the dull-coloured sandstone rocks around. Darkness was descending, with the thick, im- penetrable blackness of the bush, and we had just time to cross the saddle tiack and strike the head waters of the Wannon River. The banks of this stream are covered with great quan- tities of Coral Fern, Gleichenia dicarpa, on which we spread our blankets and slept comfortably for the night. Dawn revealed to us that we had camped in a lovely and secluded spot, far from the haunts of man, where beautiful, untarnished nature reigned supreme. This valley is a con- tinuation of Hall's Gap, and only about a mile in width. The Mount William Range towers up on one side, while the Serra Range almost overshadows the other. Here, near its source, the Wannon is practically a creek, flowing silently through a great natural forest, almost ^mothered from sight at times by masses of Coral Fern, Gleichenia dicarpa, Umbrella Fern, G. flabellata. Snow Myrtle, Lhotzkya genetylloides, Fringed Heath- Myrtle, Micromyrtus microphylla. Showy Bauera, B. sessili- flora. Soft Bush-Pea, PiiUencea mollis, and Mountain Club Moss, Lycopodimn densum . Along the Wannon G-orge, near the foot of Mount William, some fine specimens ot King Fern, Todea barbara, and Soft Tree-Fern, Dicksonia antarctica, were met with, also the following, not previously collected by us, viz. : — Boronia parvi- flora, Dampiera lanceolata, Dodoncea procumbens, Lepyrodia scariosa, Centrolepis glabra, Oreomyrrhis andicola, Hydrocotyle medicagnoides , Myriophylhim integri folium, J uncus capitatus, Lepidospora tenuissima, Scirpus fltiitans, Chorizandra enodis, Epacris lanuginosa, Carex breviculmis, Cladium articulatum, C. schccnoides, C. Gunnii, Lepidosperma carphoides, Schizcea fisinlosa, Stipa Muelleri, ' and Asplenium prcemorsum. Pro- ceeding homeward, we rode through a fine forest of stringy- bark and messmate timber which sawmillers had not apparently touched for twenty years. At one spot there is the site of an old sawmill which had apparently been destroyed by bush-fires, as the remains of engine, &c., are still lying about among the long grass. This locality is known as " Burnt Boiler " by stockmen and rare tourists who occasionally pass that way. Near by is a large morass known as the " Upper Swamp " ; it is situated just over the saddle which divides the waters of the Wannon, flowing south to the 64 AuDAS, Through the Murrn Miirra Country. [ voT.' x'xxvi I . sea, from those of Fyans Creek, running north to the Wimmera River. Looking across this morass, which is several miles wide, one obtains a fine view of a part of tlie Serra Range where a score of unnamed peaks stretcli away in the (hstance hke sentinels guarding the valley billow. Far away in the distance one can just distinguish Mount Rosea, which is the nortliern extremity of this fine range. Tire swamp at our feet, and all the open patches about, are thickly studded with large tufts of grass-like Cyperacea; and Liliaceas, the most common being the Button Bog- Rush, Gymnoschoe'nus adustus, which grows in large tufts five feet high, with dense, globular flower-heads about an inch in diameter. Of the Liliacea, the most prevalent is the Small (jrass-tree, Xanthorrhcva minor, and Long Matrush, Lomandra longifolia. Among their tufts some grasses find a precarious domicile, the most adventurous of these being the Long Hair Plume-grass, Dichelachne crinita, Wallaby Grass, Danthonia penicillata, Nigger Head, Pappophorum nigricans. Corkscrew Grass, Stipa setacea, Fibrous Spear Grass, Stipa scmibarbata, Common Wheat Grass, Agropyron scabriim. Grey Beard Glass, Amphipogon strictus, and Foxtail Mulga Grass, Neitrachne alopeciiroides. The more open grass-lands were gay with a thousand fiowers of Composita', Goodeniaceas, and Dillcniacea.', most striking among them being the white of Helichrysum Baxteri, the pink of Scavola ainiila, and the yellow of Hibbertia densiflora and H. stricia. For the next seven miles the country is uninteresting. Manuka, Leptospermmn scoparium, forms dense and extensive scrubs which are absolutely impenetrable, and our only means of progress was by following the paths made by native animals, such as kangaroo and wallaby, on their way to water. After crossing the saddle and striking the head waters of h'yans Creek the country changes, and for miles is splendidly timbered, showing also a great wealth and variety of native shrubs and flovVering plants. The whole countryside was practically ablaze with the beautiful blooms of the Common Heath, Kpacris impressa, in shades varying from deepest red to the whiteness of snow. Near the weir on Fyans Creek, where the takcvoff for the StawcU water supply is situated, we struck the Borough Hut Settlement, and were n^liev^ed to find ourselves l)ack amongst civilization once again, for, though solitude and grandeur of scenery are indeed fine, one longs for one's fellow- creatures. Detouring from tlu- main road, we passed along a bridle track near where the Stawell water supply passes through the mountain by means of a tunnel three-quarters of a mile long, and inspected the Pomonal orchards, which are situated on the eastern slopes of Mount William Range. Here great quantities of splendid fruit are grown, mostly apples for ^j^f^'^-] AuDAS, Throttgh the Murra Mtirra Coitnirv. 65 exportation to the European markets, about a thousand tons being sent away annually. From Pomonal we followed the Mount William Range to its termination at the head of Hall's Gap. Passing through the " Wild Flower Garden of the Grampians," which was in glorious l^loom at the time, we noted the following shrubs in full flower, viz. : — Crimson Kunzea, A', parvifolia, Olive Grevillea, G. oleoides, Prickly Grevillea, G. aqiiifoliuvi, Beaked Hakea, H. rostrata, Mountain Conosperm, Conospermum MitcheUii, Rough Mint Bush, Prosfanthera denticiilata, Leafless Bitter Pea, Daviesia hrevifolia, Pale Wedge Pea, Gompholohiitm Huegelii, Bushy Heath-Myrtle, Thryptoniene Mitchelliana, Daphne Heath, Brachyloma daphnoides, Rough Aster, Olearia asterotricha, Star Hair, Astrotricha ledifolia, Purple Eyebright, Euphrasia Collina, Ploughshare Acacia, A. vomeriformis , Small Leaf Pomaderris, P. elachophylla , Grooved Dampiera, D. lanceolata, and Pinnate Boronia, B. pinnata. We arrived back at Mr. D'Alton's residence in time for the evening meal, feeling tired, but otherwise greatly satisfied with our trip, which, both from a botanic and scenic point of view, was delightful. During the three days we had traversed an area of about 120,000 acres, and with this trip may be said to have completed our survey of the entire Grampians area, which covers about 450 square miles. The number of flowering plants and ferns previously collected by Messrs. Sullivan, Walter, Williamson, Campbell, and others amounts to 686; our additions bring tlie total up to 737 species. The " G.\RDENiNG Bulletin." — ^There are probably few field naturalists who are not also garden-lovers. For those who wish to be up to date in gardening matters, the Gardening Bulletin, published monthly by E. and W. Hackett, nurserymen, of 73 Rundle-strcet, Adelaide, will be found an excellent help and guide. The September number commences the fourth volume, and for a subscription of 3s. 6d. it will be poeted regularly to any address. The articles are always crisp and bright and of great value. The " Queensland Natur.alist." — We welcome the re- appearance of the Queensland Naturalist, the organ of the Queensland I'leld Naturalists' Club, after a suspension of nearly three years, owing to insurmountable causes. T]\e Club is to be congratulated on its effort to keep going, and from the quality of the articles in the number to hand sliould have a bright future before it. " The Story of a Little Fly," by Mr. W. R. College, is a most interesting contribution, and just the kind of article which is appreciated by lovers of nature. eie. JC^i^c r Vict. Nat. 66 Kotes. Ivoi. XXXVII. The "South Aistrallan Naturalist." — The August number of this pubUcation conchides the first vohimc of our coutemporary, and we wish it a long Ufe. In a sliort article by Mr. E. H. Ising on " Orchids Growing from Seeds," it is pointed out that our native orchids must sometimes grow from seeds instead of by the increase of llie tul)ers, as is usualh' stated. He gives as an instance the railway embankments between Eden and Blackwood, in the Mount Lofty foothills, where two or three species of Diuris are fairly plentiful. It is pointed out that these embankments were made some thirty or forty years ago, and it is hardly likely that the tubers wxtc moved with the soil, but rather that they are the result of seed distribution. The exhibition of wild-flowers by the members of the .\delaide society will be held on 8th and i)th October, and help from \'ictorian residents will be greatly appreciated. Flinders Ch.\se, Kangaroo Island, S.A. — The full story of the efforts, extending over eighteen years, made by South Australian nature-lovers to secure a reasonabl(> area on Kangaroo Island as a fauna and flora reserve is told by Mr. Samuel Dixon, who was for twenty-three years chairman of the Fauna and Flora Protection Committee of the Field Naturalists' Section of the Royal Society of South Australia, in an illustrated booklet recently published in Adelaide. The author points out that, had tlu; representations made to the Government been listened to and acted on at the outset, the soft-wo(Kl production (pines) of the island would now amount to thousands of pounds' worth annually, while skins of native animals to the value of at least £25,000 had been lost to commerce. In acknowledging the receipt of a copy of the pubhcation. His Excellency the Governor-General wrote con- gralulating the author on the success of the effort in connection with the formation of tht; Kangaroo Island reserve, and said that if the Field Naturalists' Societies, I*'orest Leagues, Royal and other kindred societies were to affiliate more closely within each State, and such affiliations linked up with similar om-s in other States, forestry might be greatly helped. It is to be hoped that the Board appointed to administer the 1,000 acres set aside will not be hampered by want of funds, and that Flinders Chase will in due time become a holiday and health resort where, as at Wilson's Promontory National Park, visitors can get into close touch with representatives of Australia's unique fauna and flora. Cbc Uictorian naturalisn Vol. XXXVII.— No. 6. OCTOBER 7, 1920. No. 442. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Chib was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monda}' evening, 13th September, 1920. The president, Mr. J. Gabriel, occupied the chair, and about 40 members and visitors were present. CORRESPOXDEN'CE. From His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir William J . Irvine, intimating that he would have very much pleasure in opening the Club's exhibition of Austrahan wild-flowers on 28th September, at 4 p.m. The hon. secretary stated that he had acknowledged this letter with thanks, and had written that the Club extended a hearty invitation to Lady Irvine to be present at the display. From Mr. R. \V. Smelhe, Town Clerk of Camberwell, thanking the Club for its appreciative remarks in regard to the Council's acquirement of Mr. J. M. Watson's garden adjoining Beckett Park, Balwyn, and pointing out that the Council does not acquire possession of the garden during the lifetime of Mr. Watson, but that when possession is taken it is intended to continue it on the same lines as at present. From Mr. F. Lewis, Acting Chief Inspector of Fisheries and Game, in reply to the Club's protest against allowing any collecting for trading purposes of eggs of protected Victorian birds, and that the collecting of Such eggs for such purposes should be absolutely prohibited. Tlie reply stated that the word " discountenanced " would express better than the word " discijuraged " the writer's intention, and that what was meant was that persons who wished to collect eggs with the idea of making money out of the business by selling them to other countries would not be granted permits, but only those persons who were genuinely working for scientific pur- poses. On the motion of Messrs. Barnard and Williamson it was agreed that a reply be sent thanking the Inspector for the satisfactory decision in the matter. From the hon. secretary Stawell Horticultural Society, agreeing to help in having wild-flowers collected and forwarded to the forthcoming exhibition. From the hon. secretary Canterbury Horticultural Society, inviting the Club members to join with the society in its visit to Mr. J. ^L Watson's wild-flower garden, Beckett Park, ]^>ahvyn, on Saturday. i8th September. 68 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [voT'xxxvil REPORTS. A report of the excursion to Diamond Creek on Saturday, 14th August, was forwarded by the leader, Mr. J. W. Audas, F.L.S., who reported a good attendance of members. The Silver Wattles were found to be in the height of their blooming, and were a beautiful sight. About a dozen species of eucah-pts were noted during the afternoon, while there was a fair variety of early spring flowers. A report of the excursion to Black Rock on Saturday, 28th August, was given by the leader, Ur. C. S. Sutton, who reported a good attendance of members and an interesting afternoon, and, though a fair number of flowers were collected, there was nothing of special note among the species noted. A report of the excursion to Boronia, on Saturday, 4th September, was given by the leader, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who stated that there had been a good attendance of members, and, favoured by a fine afternoon, an interesting ramble had resulted. The Acacias ,-1. myrtifolia and A. Icprosa were found to be at their best, and made a fine display, as also did Kcnnedya inonophylla in several places. Perhaps the most noticeable feature of the afternoon was the sight of a large area of daffodils, grown for market purposes, in full bloom, also quantities of Boronia megasiigma. A brief report of the excursion to Bendigo on Saturday, nth September, was, on behalf of the leader (Mr. I). J. Paton, of Bendigo), given by Mr. C, Daley, F.L.S., who said that a visit had been paid to the Whipstick Scrub, to the north-west of Bendigo, and an interesting collection of wikl-flowiis made. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mr. Frederick Shaw, " The Rest," Nelson-street, Abbotsford, was duly elected as an ordinary mcmlier, and Mr. Stanley J. Walker, 517 Sydney-road, Park- ville, as an associate member of tlie Club. ELECTIO.V OF ASSIST.ANT SECRETARY. Mr. Charles Oke, being the only member nominated for the position of hon. assistant secretary and librarian, was declared duly elected. GENERAL BUSINESS. Mr. E. Cox mentioned that he had been in (duimunication with the Geelong Fish Acclimatizing Society re a visit t() its hatchery. The society had informed him that no stripping was now done at Geelong, but that ova was procun-d from Tasmania and New Zealand. Stripping is, howe\-er. done at l-Jallarat from trout from Lake W'l-ndouree in the month of June each year. The president thciught it W(ju](l be :is w.ll for Mi. ('n\ to ^^^•^ ] Field Naturalists' Club — ProceedingSi 69 keep in mind the possiI)ility of a \'isit to the Ballarat hatchery next year. On the motion of Mr. C. French, jun., and Dr. Sutton, the hearty congratulations of the Chil^ were tendered to Mr. F. G. A. Barnard (hon. editor) on his election as Mayor of Kew. Mr. Barnard, in acknowledging the resolution, said that he was not the first member of the Club to attain the position of mayor, as Mr. E. H. Kinnear had just completed his term of offtce as mayor of the city of Essendon. Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., brought forward the question of the retention of Lake Hattah, in the Mallee, as a bird sanctuary, stating that there was a local movement to have this sanctuary abolished, on the ground that it is not a breeding-place. He said that on the lake the birds were safe from molestation, and it would be a great pity if it were thrown open to sportsmen. The Ornithologists' Union had already sent in a protest. Mr. F, Wilson said that, although ducks did not breed there, other water-fowl did. Mr. Barnard moved that a protest against the abolition of the sanctuary at Lake Hattah be forwarded to the Minister. He mentioned that the late Mr. O'Donohue had several times mentioned Lake Hattah and the adjacent lakes in papers descriptive of that portion of the Mallee. Mr. H. B. Williamson, in seconding the motion, gave an interesting account of a visit to the lake some time ago. The motion was carried unanimously. REMARKS ON EXHIBITS. Mr. Alfred Tadgell stated that he had gathered the Blue Fairy Orchid, Caladenia deformis, for many years without any variation in colour, but this year he had found specimens of a white colour with pink labellum, and also a yellow variety which was unknown either to Mr. French, jun., Mr. Pescott, or Dr. Rogers, of Adelaide. Mr. Chas. Daley drew attention to his exhibit of flowers procured on the Bendigo excursion. PAPER READ. By Mr. J. C. Goudie, entitled " Three Anglers at the Murray." The author described the incidents of a trip from Sea Lake to the Murray, in the vicinity of Nyah, some twenty miUs Ih'Iow Swan Hill. He also gave some account of the ornith- ology of the district, and of the results of the fishing, which were very satisfactory. In the discussion that followed Mr. E. Cox stated that big fish could be caught in the Murray in the day-time on hand lines, and mentioned an 82-II). Murray Cod that liad been I'.iu^iit on ;i spinner, 70 Field Naiuralisis' Cluh — Proceedings. [^,^^[' Vic(. Nat. XXXVII. NAirK.M. HISTORY NOTES. Mr. J. Gai)ri(.'l reminded ineiiibcrs of a natural history note he had related some time- aj;o, in which he told of the efforts of a pair of swallows to build on top of a tennis ball placed in their nest. These swallows were now attempting to build in the same place. Though the nest has been pulled down each night during the past fortnight, the birds are now trying to reinforce the mud with hbres. Mr. F. Wilson stated that during tlie past winter he had noticed forty or fifty swallows settling for the night on an electric light wire under a verandah, those on the end striving to displace those nearer the middle, evidently to get a warmer position, until they finally settled for the night. Now that the spring had come the birds are pairing off, so tliat at present only a few roost on the wire. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Flame Pea, Chorizema cordatiiuu grown at " Rockingham," Kew. By Mr. Charles Daley, M.A. — Scrul") flora from W'hipstick Scrub, Bendigo, including : — Eriostemon obovalis, K. difformis, Crowea exalata, Boronia anemonifolia, Cryptandra amara, Dodoncca viscosa, Grcvillea rosmarinifolia, Dampicra iiiari folia, Acacia calamifolia, A. glandiilicarpa, Clayttniia pvj^tnca, Marianlhus prociimbens, Hyhanthiis llorihundus. Eucalyptus^ viridis, E. polyhractea, E. incrassata, E. Behriana, (\iss\tha melantha (on Eucalyptus viridis), and Daviesia ^enistifolia, collected during the excursion to Bendigo on Saturday, nth September. By Mr. W. H. Ingram. — {a) Water-stone from Beechworth, Victoria (this is a crystalline form of silica, containing licpiid) ; (/;) wings of Argus Plieasant, from Malay States. By Mr. Alfred J. Tadgell. — Dwarf Squill, Chama-scilla corym- hosa, in three cohnirs — blue, pale blue, and whitt — from near Cheltenham, Victoria ; the Blue Fairy Orchid, Caladenia defonnis, normal blue, also pink, from near Cheltenham, \'ic- toria. A rarer variety — yellow — was also ff)und in the same, locality, which it is hoped will be exhibited at next meeting. By Mr. I.. Thorn. — (a) Mistletoe Blue Butterfly, O^yris nlanc — larvje, pupic, and perfect insects of both sexes. Tlie larv.'c are night feeders, hiding under loose bark during tin; day. Some- times they have to travel a long distance to reach their food- plant. The exhibitor has taken the larva- in various stages near the base of the tree, with the mistletoe (their food-plant) ten to fifteen feet higher up. {!>) Ten species of Victorian moths and twelve species of Victorian butterflies, both sexes of each species, and the pupa cases from which the perfect insects emerged. After the usual conversaz.ione the meeting terminated. ^"^2o ] Barnard, The F.N. C. of Victoria: a Retrospect. 71 THE FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA, 1905-20: A RETROSPECT. By F. G. a. Barnard. {Read before the Field Naturaltsts' Club of Victoria, 10th May, 1920.) Fifteen' years ago, as the subject of a presidential address, I had the pleasure of giving a brief history of the founding of our Club, and its doings during the first twenty-five years of its existence ; and, though it might have been more in the usual order of things to have deferred making further reference to its history until it attained its jubilee in May, 1930, I felt that ten years at my time of hfe was too great a space of time to look forward to ; and as I wished to bring the history up to date, I propose to take advantage of to-night l)eing the fortieth anniversary of its foundation to give you some brief notes of the doings of the last fifteen years. The address referred to will be found in the Naturalist for July, 1906 (F.A^., xxiii., p. 65), and I will continue on the same lines, simply giving the names of the president and hon. secretary for each year, and notes of any important happenings. It may be noted that, excepting for 1919-20, Mr. G. Coghill was hon. treasurer for the whole of the period. I will conclude with a summary of results so far as thev can be shown by figures, and will leave you to judge whether the Club has justified its existence. 1905-6. — Mr. F. G. A. Barnard occupied the presidential cliair, with Mr. J. F. Haase as hon. secretary. The annual report {V.N., xxiii., 57) gives the membership as 211, with 17 associates and 19 juniors ; 28 papers were read, and the credit balance was increased by £ib, notwithstanding £ioc) was spent on the Naturalist. At the July meeting great regret was expressed at the death of Mr. H. T. Tisdall, who had been a prominent worker and office-bearer of the Club for many years (U. A''., xxii., 56). The fifteenth conversazione of the Club was held at the Masonic Hall on the 19th and 2()th October (U. N., xxii., 104). This included an exhibition of wild-flowers. Illustrated lecturettes were given by Dr. T. S. Hall on " The (ieology of the Eastern Suburbs," and by Mr. A. E. Kitson, I'.G.S., on " The Upper Waters of the River Yarra." The exhibition of wild-flowers was privately visited by Her Excellency Lady Northcote, who evinced considerable interest in the display. A three-days' visit to Warburton was made in November (]'. N., xxii., 128). An illustrated lecture on \Vilsf)n's Promontory as a National P.-irk was given in the Masonic Hall b\- Dr. T. S. Hall in l-'ebruary, T9()b, before; a very larg(> audience (]'. X., xxii., 179). At the I'V])rnary meeting th(; leader, Mr. A. I). Hardy, gave an account of the first Club expedition to the National Park (!'. N., xxii., 191). 72 Baknakd, The F.N.C. of Victoria: a Retrospect. [v^."xxxvH. The new buildings of the National i\Iuseum were opened in April, 1906 {V. N., xxiii., 23). At the April meeting Prof. A. J. Ewart, the newly-arrived Professor of Botany at the I'niversity, was unanimously elected a member of the Club. 1906-7. — Mr. Barnard again occupied the office of presi- dent, and Mr. J. A. Kershaw took the place of Mr. J. F. Haase as hon. secretary. The annual report (F. N., xxiv., 43) showed that the roll contained 235 memlicrs, with 25 associates and 120 juniors. Twenty-eight papers had been read, and £11 added to the credit balance of the Club. .\t the annual meeting the retiring president (Mr. F. G. A. Barnard) gave an address showing how the facilities for the study of natural history had increased since the foundation of the Club in 1880 {V. N., xxiv., p. 48). The feature of the year was the camp-out for a week at ]\Iornington at Christmas, 1906, where, in additicm to aliout thirty members, fifty State school teachers took part. Sev(;ral of these afterwards became members of the Club, and remained constant for many years. The success of the outing was greatly due to the organizing abihty of Mr. J. A. Leach {V. N., xxiii., 195). The attention of the Railway Department was called to the geological features of several of the railway cuttings near Melbourne, and a request was made that they should be kept free of decorative vegetation. At the re(iuest of the Club Malleson's Glen was permanently reserved as a beauty spot (T. A^., xxiii., 135). In February the wholesale destruc- tion of game was brought under the ncjtice of the Department, and in March a gun tax and alteration of the duck season were advocated, while the destruction of the wattles, &c., in tiie grounds of the Kew Asylum were brought under the notice of the authorities. 1907-8.— The president for the year was Mr. G. A. Keartland, whom we still have amongst us, with Mr. J. A. Kershaw as hon. secrt-tary. The annual report showed 241 members and 54 juniors. Twenty-six papers had Ix-en reiid, but tin- balance-sheet recorded a decreased credit balance by £2. Such questions as a close season for ojiossums, the destruction of fish by seals at Phillip Island, and tlic firing of the timber at Tommy's Bend, occupied sc^veral meetings. The Plant Names Conunittee, formed in August, i()ob, presented its first report, and Prof. Ewart urged that members making new plant records should present specimens of tlu; same to the; Club or the National Herl)arium for record (I'. A'., xxiv., ()5, !()()). A memorable paper was read by Mr. (). A. Sayce, recording a new remarkable fresh-water crustare.m f• him near Kingwood (!'. A^., xxiv., 117). .'\n ohl friend of many members of the Club -Mr. Charles Walter— passed away in September (V. N., xxiv., no). A remarkable incursion of the White Caper Butterfly on 30th November and ist Decern- ^""^n Barnard, The F.N.C. of Victoria : a Retrospect. y^ ber is recorded (V. N., xxiv., pp. 134, 148), and at the December meeting a member (Mr. Robert Hall) was congratulated on his appointment as Curator of the Hobart Museum {V. N., xxiv., 138). At the January meeting the announcement was made of the permanent reservation of Wilson's Promontory as a National Park (F. N., xxiv., 150). At the February meeting great opposition was expressed at the proposal to grant fifteen acres of the Domain as a site for the Melbourne Hospital {V. N., xxiv., 162). In April we had to deplore the death of Dr. A. W. Howitt, a well-known scientist, and an honorary member of the Club. An appreciative record of his work, from the pen of Prof. Spencer, with a portrait, appeared in the Naturalist {V. N., xxiv., 181). Notable excursions during the year were to Launching Place, in January (K. N., xxv., 3) ; to Mount WiUiam (Lancefield) Aboriginal Stone Quarries, in February (F. N., xxv., 9) ; and to Stony Point (Western Port), at Easter (F. N., XXV., 52). 1908-9. — Mr. G. A. Keartland again occupied the presi- dential chair, and, owing to pressure of work, Mr. Kershaw handed over the secretaryship to mys( If. At the annual meeting Mr. Keartland gave an address on his twenty-one years' membcrsliip of the Club and the benefits he had derived from it (F. N., xxv., 45). The annual report showed 212 members, 17 associates, and 81 juniors. Only 12 papers were read, while the funds showed a falling-otf of £5. The sixteenth conversazione and exhibition of wild-flowers was held at the Masonic Hall on 22nd and 23rd September, 1908 (F. A''., XXV., 92), and was opened by His Excellency Sir Thomas Gibson Carmichael and Lady Carmichael. His Excellency, it will be remembered, was an enthusiastic entomologist. Illus- trated lecturettes were given, by Mr. C. L. Barrett on " Wild Birds in Their Haunts " and by Frof. Ewart on " Carnivorous Plants." In November three days were spent around Toorourrong Reservoir (I'. N., xxv., 130). At the December meeting the first report of a biological survey of the National Park by the Government Botanist's Department was presented (I'. A^., XXV., 142). Three days were spent at Healesville in January (F. A^., xxv., 171), and in February a good party visited that unique geological feature, Hanging Rock, near Woodend (F. N., xxv., 192). 1909-10. — The presidential chair was occupied by Prof. Ewart, with Mr. F. G. A. Barnard as hon. secretary. Tlie annual report (F. A'^., xxvii., 39) showed 218 members, with K) associates and 80 juniors. NinetiuMi papers were read, and £30 added to tlie credit balance of the Chil). In August the rules were altered so tluit associates might obtain the Naliiralist by yn extra payment of two shillings and sixpence. The death of Dr. Halley, an early president and supporter of the Club, 74 Barnard, The F.X.C. of Victoria : a Retrospect, [vj'x'xxvn. took place in Dcconibcr, 1909 (]'. ^V., xxvi., 14^). A throe days' visit to Toolangi in November (I'. A''., xxvi., 144) proved very enjoyable. In January, 1900, a three days' excursion was made to West Warburton (I'. A^., xxvi., 185). 1910-11. — Mr. F. Wiscvvould, one of the "original-" members of the Club, held the position of president, with Mr. A. D. Hardy as lion, secretary. At the annual meeting Prof. Ewart gave a short address, pointing out the necessity for stimulating interest in the Club work. The annual report showed a membership of 224, with 51 juniors. Twenty-one papers had been read, while the credit balance of the Club had been reduced by £55. Our printing bill for the year was the heaviest for some time, and included £2^ for illustrations in the Naturalist. \t tlie June meeting opposition was ex- pressed to the use of gay-plumaged birds as ornamental head- gear, and representations were made to the Conunonwealth authorities to prohibit the importation of the sami^ (T. A'^., xxvii., 39). At the July meeting Mr. K. T. Baker, F.L.S., of the Technological Museum, Sydney, gave a very interesting lecture, entitled " Our National Heritage : the Gum Trees " (V. N., xxvii., 58). At the April meeting congratulations were oflered to Mr. O. A. Sayce on his appointment to a position in the Adelaide University, but unfortunately he soon after developed an acute attack of pneumonia, which ended fatally l)efore the f(jllowing meeting. He had been doing very prcMiiising work, and an appreciative memoir appeared in the Salnralist (xwiii., 25) from the pen of \\\^ friend, Dr. T. S. Hall. 19L1-12. Mr. v. W'isewouUi wa.s again in llic presi- dential chair, with Mr. A. I). Hardy as lion, secretary. Th(; annual report recorded 227 membi-rs, willi 11 associates and 45 juniors. Twenty-two papers wcic read, and llu credit Inilance was increased bv a few sliillings. In Mav opposition was expressed to a proposal to abolish the olh.ee of (iovernmenl Botanist (V . N., xxviii., 22). The retirement of Mr. Charles I'rench, an original member of the Clul), from the j)osition of (iovernment I'^ntomologist, wiiich he had held for some yt.ars, was announced in Jnl\'. The fust instalment of the provisional common names for Victorian plants appeared in the Junrnal of Af^ririiUiirc for June, 191 1. The 17th conversazione and exhibition of wild-flowers was held in ih<- Masonic Hall on 26th and 27th September, 1911, when illustrated lecluretles w(;re given, bv Prof. Skeats on " (ieology in I'Jelalion to Sc(mery " and Dr. I.iMrli on "Tin' P>irds of Anslralia" (!'. N., xxviii., 124). 1912-13. I<'r president Dr. J. A. i.c.irli was chosen, with Mr. J. T. Hanulton as hon. secretary. Ihe report sliowird that there were 214 members, with 3 associates and f)5 juniors. *^'^''o1 Barnard, The F.N.C. of Victoria : a Retrospect. 75 Twenty-one papers had been read, wliile the credit balance was reduced by /ij. The report contains reference to the ■ eliorts made towards bird-protection and the proclaniatit)n of sanctuaries. The second Chib excursion to Wilson's Promon- tory took place in December (!'. N., xxix., id;), and a visit to Phillip Island at Easter, i()ij, resulted in an interesting report (V. N., XXX., 29). 1913-14. — Dr. Leach was a|.niin elected as president, but in Aui^ust, findinjjj his deoartmental duties wovdd not allow sufficient time to devote to the office, sent in his resignation, and INIr. J. A. Kershaw was elected in his stead. Mr. J. R. Tovey was elected hon. secretary. The annual report showed 219 members, with 5 associates and 16 juniors. Eighteen papers were read, while ttic credit balance was further reduced by £42, the Naturalist costing ^(^126. At the June meeting Mr. A. E. Kitson, who was on furlough from Nigeria, was present, and gave an interesting lecture on that country. At the September meeting the rules admitting juniors at is. were rescinded. The wild-flower exhibition was held in connection with the exhibition of the Chamber of Manufactures at the Exhibition Building {V . N., xxx., 116). An excursion made to W'erribee (Jorge on Cup Day, 4th November, 1913, was memorable on account of a fall of snov/ during the afternoon. Three days were spent at Baw Baw in January, 1914 (V. N., xxx., 198). 1914-15. — The presidential cliair was again occupied by Mr. J. A. Kershaw, while Mr. J. (i. O'Donoghue commenced the first year of his service as hon. secretary. The annual report showed a slight falling-off in membership, there being just 200, with 4 associates. Eourteen papers were read, while £y was added to the credit balance. At the August meeting the president acknowledged the presentation to the Club's library of a work on " The Butterflies of Austrafla," by Messrs. Water- house and Lyell, both members of the Club. Another excursion was made to the National Park at Wilson's Promontory at Christmas (!'. N., xxxi., 143). In November a visit was paid to an interesting geological feature, the Rocking Stone at Narre Warren, of which a photograph was reproduced in the Naluralisi. (T. N., xxxi., 132). 1915-16.— For this year Dr. C. S. Sutton was president, Mr. J. (t. O'Donoghue continuing as hon. secretary. The annual report recorded 209 members, with 3 associates. Only sixteen papers were read, but £^ was added to the credit balance. General depression was felt at the continuance of the war, and a proposal to hold an exhibition of wild-flowers at the Athen:eum in aid of the Red Cross Fund for Wounded Soldiers was enthusiastically supported. The exhibition v.-as opcMied by His Excellency Sir Arthur Stanley, and resulted in £54 4s. iid. being handed to the fund. At the exhibition 76 Barnard, The F.N.C. of Victoria : a Refrospeci. [yj' ict. Nat. XXXVII. illustnitcd Iccturcttis wore given, by Mr. \i. E. Pescott on " The W'ild-l'Iowers of \'ictoria " and l)y Mr. J. A. Ktrsliaw on " The Scenery of Wilson's Promontory." In J)ecenil)er we luid to mourn the loss of Dr. Hall, who had ])een in ill-health for some time. During his twenty-seven years' membership he had been a keen supporter of the Club, and his paper, " Ungarnered Grain" (I'. N., xxvi., 124), will stand reading and re-reading time and again. A striking likeness, with a memoir from the pen of Professor Spencer, appeared in tlie Naliirnlist for January, iQi^> (!'• N., xxxii., 128). 1916-17. — For this year Mr. F. Pitcher, one. of our " original " members, was elected president, with Mr. O'Donoglnie as lion, secretary. The annual report showed 214 members, with 5 associates. Fourteen papers were read, and £3 15s. added to the credit balance. The year was a gloomy one for many mem])ers of the Club. The Naturalist of April, 1917 {V. N., xxxiii., 184), contained the honour roll of those twelve members on active service, together with the nam(>s of two daughters and twenty-eight sons of members who were also sharing in the trials and vicissitudes of the (ireat War. Unfortunately, six sons were already marked as having made the supreme sacrifice, and no less than seven others were added during the next year, so that the comparatively small band of members of this Club had more than their share of sorrow added to their lives by the war. The death of Mr. O'Donoghue, after a trying illness, in April, 1917, after a membership of nine years, left a blank in the list of workers wliich has not yet been filled. He was one of the greatest workers ever associated with the Club, and never tlionglit of liimself if anything could be done to forward the interests of tlie Club (F. A^., xxxiii., 175). The exhibition of wild-flowers at th(^ Town Hall on 3rd October, brought in £131 ^'S. lod. for tlu- War Service huiid of tlie Y.M.C.A. 1917-18. — Mr. F. Pitcher again occupied tlie presidential chair, with Mr. E. S. Anthony as hon. secn^tary. The annual report showed 222 members, witli 7 associates. Twelve papers were read, and the fimds increased by £S. A notaiile event in the year was an excursion to J^elgra\'e on 27th October, at wliich His Excellency the (xovernor-Oeneral, Sir Ronald Mimro Ferguson, (i.C.M.G., was present (V. N., xxxiv., 113). He was subsequ(;ntly elected an hon. member of the Club. The exhibition of wild-flowers at the Town Hall was again a great success, and brought in /212 5s. id. for tlu- Y.M.C.A. Fund. Advantage was taken of the Railways excursion in Septcnilx-r to visit Bendigo. A three days' excursion to Toohingi in January proved very enjoyable (F. N., xxxiv., 173). wliile the Easter excursion to Fakes Colac and Corangamite was pro- ductive of many interesting records both in the fauna and flora of the lakes (F. A'., xxxv., 22). ^1*^20 1 Barnard, The F.N.C. of Victoria : a Retrospect. "j-j 1918-19. — ^The presidential chair was occupied by Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., with Mr. E. S. Anthony as hon. secretary. The annual report recorded 233 members — a slight increase, with a slight decrease in credit balance. At the annual meeting an exhibition of specimens was held, and His Excellency the Governor-Creneral, Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, G.C.M.G., attended and unveiled the Honour Roll, and a presentation of a pocket aneroid was made to Mr. F. G. A. Barnard in recognition of his twenty-five years' service as hon. editor. The third extensive exhibition of wild-flowers at the Town Hall yielded £141 2s. qd. for the Y.M.C.A. War Fund. A week was spent at Marys ville at Christmas, when an enjoyable outing resulted (F. N ., xxxv., 157). Mr. G. CoghiU retired from the treasurership at the end of the year, after fifteen years of office, and was subsequently presented with a memento of his services. 1919-20. — Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., again occupied the presidential chair, and Mr. P. C. Morrison was elected as hon. secretary ; however, after a few months' service he was com- pelled to resign owing to ill-health, and later Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., offered to carry out the duties until the annual meeting. The annual report showed a total of 246 members and an increased credit balance of £72, and in addition a war bond of ^20. Early in the year the Club lost, by death, its first life member, Mr. B. R. Patey, at the ripe age of gi years. Through the representations of the Club, Edwards Park, a recently-acquired reserve at Preston, was proclaimed a bird sanctuary. The Fisheries and Game Department was approached with regard to the increase of foxes at Phillip Island. An excursion to Bendigo in September (F. A/"., xxxvi., 100) proved of great interest. The exhibition of wild-flowers was again a great success, £167 3s. 5d. being divided between ' tlie An/.ac House Fund and a fund for pubhshing the vernacular plant names list. The retirement of Professor Sir Baldwin Spencer, K.C.M.G., from the Chair of Biology at the University and his services to the Club were referred to at the November meeting (F. A^., xxxvi., no). With the closing of the war I'xcursions again became a feature of the Club proceedings, tlie most notable one being to Loch Valley (F. 'N ., xxxvi., 153). At the February meeting several members gave short notes of their holiday rambles (F. A^., xxxvi., 150). At Easter three days were spent at Rosebud and Arthur's Seat (l)romana) (F. N., xxxvii., 23). For the first time in its history the Xatiiralists for March and April were nnich behind tlu-ir due dates, owing to the printers' strike. Now my chronicling is done, and I trust whoever takes up the task for the next ten years will have as interesting a record to make as I have had. Whether the Club has accompHshed 78 Barnard. The F.N.C. of Victoria : a Retrospect, [vol'xxxvii. wliat was intended by its promoters is perhaps a matter of opinion. In my opinion it has. I have no hesitation in saying that the Chib has been instrumental in making tlie fauna and flora of Victoria more intimately known than they would have been had it not existed. It has enabled persons of kindred tastes to meet together and become acquainted with one another, while the Xattirnlist has afforded means for recording a large amount of valuable information for tlie benefit of future workers and lovers of nature. In no publication will be found so mucli descriptive matter about the State of Victoria. Almost every one of its 8,452 pages contains something of interest, and' members often tell me they take down a volume from their bookshelves and find articles that remind them of pleasant evenings spent at this hall or of outings in the country. The result of the forty years may be reduced to figures in the following manner : — Papers read, 917 ; volumes of the Natiirali.st published, 36, containing 8,452 pages, at a cost of £3,i()5. A summary of the balance-sheets shows : — Receipts. 25 Years. I 5 Years. 1880-1905. 1906-20. Total. Subscriptions £2,617' i;2,i64 ;^4.7Si Sales, &c., of Xalitralisl 443 290 733 Interest, &c. 20 . 54 74 Conversaziones — 87 »7 ^3.080 /2,39? £5/'75 Expenditure. i\'aliiiali24 £i.57t ;£3.I95 Rooms 287 . 184 471 Library 268 241 509 (Bookcases j^ji) (I'ookcases jC^S) Management 676 53' 1,207 Conversaziones 135 60 201 ;^2,99f' •• ■ £2.-^93_ £S-$^3 ( ri'dit balance. £<^)2 (includinf^ War Bond, ;^2o). Tluit tlie Club has been fortunate in its office-bearers is generally conceded, and the record of service may be of some interest. In all, 82 persons have held office during the forty years, the following reaching ten years or morb : — F. G. A. Barnard, j^j ; G. Coghill, 29; J. (iabricl. 25; J. A. Kershaw, 22 ; C. French, 18 ; D. Best, ib ; F. Wisewould, ib ; A. I). Hardv, 15 ; T. S. Hall, 14 ; G. A. Keartland. 14 : C. S. Sutton, 14 ; O. A. Sayce, i.l ; IX Le Souef, 12 ; J. Shephard, 10 ; and H. T. Tisdall, 10. l-'inaliy, may I call attention to tlie lin(; sum raised for war charities by the last five exhil)itions of wild-fiowers — viz., ;^622 8s. od.^— which shows that tlu; efforts of the Clui) in bringing under the notice of the general public the interesting nature of our .\ustralian flora have been dulv appreciated. CDe Uictorian naturalist Vol. XXXVII.— No. 7. NOVEMBER 4, 1920. No. 44.5 FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. Thk ordinary montlily meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monda\' evening, nth October, 1920. The president, Mr. J. ("ral^riel, occupied the chair, and about seventy members and \'isitors were present. COKKESPONDEXCE. h'rom the Chief Secretary, in reply to the Club's protest against the revocation of the sanctuary for birds at Lake Hattah, stating that there was at present no intention of abolishing ill*' sanctuarv. REPORTS. .\ ri'port o{ the excursion to Toorourrong, Plenty Ranges, (in Saturday, i8th September, was given by Mr. C. Lambert, ' who said that, owing to doubtful weather, onl}' a small party look part in the excursion. A fair number of wild-tiowers had been met with, and the members greatly enjoyed tlie picturesque- ness of the locality. A report of the excursion to Alphington on Saturday, 25th September, was given l)y the leader, Mr. J. Searle, who said that, notwithstanding the recent heavy rains and more or less flooding of tile lagoons,' pond-life was abundant, though nothing oi j)articular note had been taken. A report of the excursion to Wattle Park, Riversdale, on Satur- day, 2nd October, was given by Mr. A. L. Scott, who acted as leader. A fair numlx^- of members attended, and had an t-njoyable ramble. A report of the excursion to Langwarrin on Satmday, qth October, was given by the leader, Mr. K. li. Pescott, F.L.S., who said that aI)out thirty took part in the outing. Captain - Chaplain A. V. Gates, M.A., met the party, and, accompanied l)V a local bird enthusiast, piloted the members throughout the day. The party was entertained with morning lunch and late dinner at Langwarrin Camp by the Commandant, Major Condor, O.B.E., who also gave a hearty welcome to the visitors. Very many wild-flowers and birds were noted. Tlu; object of the excursion was orchids, of which twenty-three species were collected. Included in these were Pterostylis harhata. Caleya major, and Caladcnia cordiformis. Glossodia major and Thely- initra antennifcra were in great abundance, while several fine specimens of Thclymitra longifolia were found with stems over three feet in length. The outing was thoroughly successful and greatly enjoyed. On the motion of Messrs. Pescott and 8<) Field Naturalisls' Club — Pioceediiios. [v./ xOxvii Williamson it was resolved that a letter of thanks be forwarded to the ,L;entlemen mentioned for their assistance on the occasion. KI ECTION OF MKMHKK. On a ballot being taken, Miss F. K. ToK', V.w and i-lar Hospital, Mell)ourne. was dnly elected a nienibei" of the ("Inb. (,i:ni:kai. iu'sikess. The hon. treasurer, Mr. V. Pitcher, reported that the recent <.;xhibition of wild-flowers had been a splendid financial success. The receipts to date showed a profit of nearly £i<)(», so that funds would be available to luidertake tlu' publication of tin- proposed hand-list of Victorian plants. On the motion of Messrs. Pitcher and Armitage, a resolution was unanimously carried thankinij those members and their friends who so freely ^-.ivv their time and assistance to the effort, and thus ensured the great success of the exliibition, both financially and botanically. A vote of thanks to Rev. L. Wen/.el, St. Phillip's X'icarage, Abbotsford, and to Mr. \\". Hutclu'r, town clerk, ("olhngwood, for the loan of tables fn-e of charge, was carried unanimously. Regret was expressed that numerous parcels of wild-Howers, both for I'xhibition and sale, had I)een xnt without tin- naiues and addri'sses of the contributor^, and it would thus be im- possible to acknowledge them. Attention was also called to the loss sustained i)\ Mr. P. K. H. St. John on the night of the exhibition, when a suit- case containing botanical works of reference, and mUcs (the result of ytiars of observation), was taken from the hall b\ some unauthorized person. It was decided lo oltn .1 nward for the recovery of the books, &c. i..\., drew attention t() his exhibit of granite, containing tourmaline, from Wilson's Promontory. I'.M'KKS Kl AD. I. By Messrs. K. K. Pescott, I-.L.S., and ('. I'niich, jun., < ntilled " h'onr Species of Orchids .New foi \'i( i(»ria." The authors briefly described the superficial on form), ('/nlo<^lotlis Pcscntiiaiui, and ('. trapcziformc. To the Stawell Horticultnral Society the Club was indebted for a fine collection of flowers representative of the Grampians flora. \ number of menrbers and friends exhibited botanical objects under microscopes. These were in charge of Mr. F. Chapman, .A.L.S., who reports that the visitors evinced great interest in the display. The following are the details of the exhibit : — By Mr. E. T. Carter, fern sporangia ; Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., crystals of berberine and fruiting sea -weeds ; A. L). Hardy, F.L.S., rotation in leaves of Vallisneria, pollens of eucalypts and acacias; C. A. Fambert, plant sections; J. Laver, wood lections; J. Stickland, spirogyra ; and J. Walter, sections of pollen grains, to show structure. There was a large demand at the flower stall, and Mrs. Edmondson and her assistants were busily occupied, especiallv in the afternoon. The Boronia and Wax-flower (Eriostemon) forwarded h\ Mr. 1). J. Paton, of l^endigo, were great favourites, while I he singular Kangaroo Paws from Western 84 Exhibitiou of Wild-F/o'u'ers. [v„i'"xxx'vn. Australia quickly found purchasers. The sales of flo\v(^rs realized ;^2 2. This amount would have been larger had not a consignment of Waratahs, ordered from Sydney, been delayed in transit, thus missing the exhibition. Afternoon tea was provided by another band of ladies under Miss Gabriel and Mrs. Barnard, who experienced a heavy demand on their department, and handed over £12 6s. as the result of their efforts. The list of members and friends wlio forwarded flowers is very imperfect from the fact that many persons omitted to attach to the packages either their name or the locality where collected. So far as could be ascertained, the following were exhibitors : — New South Wales. — Matron Cornwall, Red Cross Convalescent Home, Wentworth Falls ; Mrs. A. Singleton, Corowa. Queens- land.— The Director, Botanic Gardens, Brisbane ; Queensland Field Naturalists' Club, Brisbane. South Australia. — Field Naturahsts' Section, Royal Society of South Austraha, Ade- laide. Western Australia. — Miss Mason, Cottesloe : Mr. — Fisher, Perth ; Mr. E. A. Sims, Perth ; Mr. J. D. Gloster, Kelms- cott (Kangaroo Paws). Victoria. — J. W. Auda5-., South Yarra ; F. G. A. Barnard, Croydon ; D. Best, Kcw ; Miss K. Brooks, Maldon ; A. Burns, Ringwood : Miss L. Barker, Castlemaine ; Mrs. Coleman, Blackburn ; G. Coghill, ]\Ioc : ISIiss C. C. Currie, Lardner ;' Miss C. Coutts, Fyans Creek, Stawell ; C. Daley, Wilson's Promontory ; Mrs. W. F. Dyall, Drouin ; Mrs. Evans, Lima East ; — English, Mount Evelyn ; — Ford, Greensborough ; Mrs. C. French, jun., Canterbury; Mrs. J. Grylls, Dingee ; Master Harry, Mentonc ; Mrs. Harbcck, Heyficld ; Dr. N. Henderson, Mildura ; Miss Howard, Lubeck ; — Hughes, War- took ; D. Matthew, Footscray ; — Morcom, Stawell ; Miss G. Nethercote, Hawthorn ; Miss G. Nokes. Sandringham ; C. Oke, St. Kilda ; I). J. Paton, Bendigo ; F. Pitcher, Belgrave ; E. E. Pescott, Camberwell ; F. Rich, Rushworth ; K. Scule, Sand- ringham ; Ling Ah Mouy, Belgrave ; Miss L. Thomas, Stawell ; H. S. Williamson, Dandenong ; h\ Wisewould, Pakenham ; Mrs. R. Ward, Moe ; J as. Yoimg, Stawell ; Mrs. Young, Stawell. It should be noted that in many cases the places named are the addresses of the exhibitors, and not the localities where the flowers were collected. Flowers were also rtx'eived from the State schools at Dan- denong, Diamond Creek, anrl Lima I-'ast, and fmm the care- taker at Yan Yean Reservoir. Many interesting flowers were exhibited, but it has been found impossible to record their names. More or Kss complete series of the following orders were grouped together : — Epacridae, RutacCcX-. Composita.-. Leguminosje, Mvrtace*, Proteacea-, and Labiata^ ^'°;;] Best, To the Alps for Coleopiera. 85 TO THE ALPS FOR COLEOPTERA By D. Best. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, gih Aug., 1920.) In the middle of January last a fellow-member (Mr. J. E. Dixon) and myself agreed on a visit to the Hospice on Mount St. Bernard, the crossing-place of the road from Bright to Omeo, and about 5,000 feet above sea-level, in the hope that the locality would yield some rare specimens for our collections. As no doubt some of you have visited the Hospice, I will merely say that the building is old, and really wants replacing by one more up'to-date. We, however, received very fair treatment, and have nothing serious of which to complain. All the same, it is not a place suitable for ladies. The pro- prietor (Mr. Thompson) and his wife being away at the time, there was some delay in receiving a reply to my letters asking for particulars as to how we were to get there ; but a friend of theirs in Bright wrote me that the proprietor's car would meet us on arrival of the train and take us straight up. Thus it happened that we reached the Hospice about 7 o'clock in the evening, doing the whole journey from Melbourne (224 miles) in about thirteen hours. It was very cold, and, in fact, during our five days' stay vve did not experience one really hot day. The nights were always more or less chilly, necessitating, on one occasion, a big log fire and plenty of blankets on the beds. One reason for our preferring the Alps to the Buffalos, where there is good accommodation, was that the country has not been nearly so much mutilated by " trippers," and, excluding the destruction by fires, the place remains practically in its natural state. The results of our collecting were not so good as we expected — whether from the mild season or the result of fires we cannot say. The flowers of the Snow Gums, Eucalyptus pauciftora, had all disappeared, and the only shrubs we saw in flower were a small patch of Leptospermum, sp., and some Leptospermum scoparium (?) on the banks of the Dargo River, near its source, just below the Hospice, on the Gippsland side. From the former we took thret- specimens of a Buprestid quite unknown to iis, and possibly new, and a couple of a dark variety of Hesthesis cingulala, similar to specimens I had taken on the Hursaria at Walsh's Creek, near the head of the Yarra. The flowering of the Snow Gums being over, we had no prospect of obtaining any of that fine beetle Tragocerus lepidopierus, the only sign we saw of them being the wing-cases of a female. This beetle must, I think, take a rather long period to mature — probably at least three or four years — as the larva works round the whole of the root of the Snow Gum it enters, and the half of one which I am exhibiting this evening 86 Best. To the Alps for Coleoptera. [\ ,!i'."xnxvii. will give you some ide;i of the work it does. Ihis root, with others containing larvte, 1 brought down some years ago, l)ut 1 was not successful in rearing ;i single specimen. On two occasions in different years, in tin- month of December, the male was flying about in numbers. 1 suppose there must have been on each occasion at least twenty to thirty, but no females were flying. They had to be carefully searched for where they were resting, on the butts of the trees, and our reward was only four specimens. The " Woollybutts," /:". longijoliitm, were in flower, but, as they were all tall trees, we had no opportunity of testing whether there was hfe on them ; but we feel pretty sure there must have been. Under loose bark we were fortunate in securing several specimens, both male and female, of that uncommon and hitherto rare beetle, Enneaphyllus rossi, so named after a one-time member of the Club, Mr. G. G. Ross, who has the credit of bemg the first to capture it. It differs slightly from the Tasmanian species, /:. aiuiclpc-iuiis, the latter being a rather longer insect and the male having also longer antennae. It is a night-flier, and the body is of so light a texture that its Hfe must almost necessarily be a short one. As against this theory is the fact that my previous captures were made in Gippsland, about North Mirboo, at Easter- which would be about ]\Iarch or April. Our attempts to bring one or two alive to Melbourne were a failure, as they all died after one or two days' confinement in boxes. It breeds in the roots of the Snow (jums, imd also in logs, especially burnt ones, as with both wc saw many signs of the entrance of the larvcT. the signs being the wood powder they throw out. It is, judging by these signs, rather a pKntiful beetle, and I fancy that the life of the larva* in the wood does not excred twelve months. The beetle, in all probability, feeds on \]]v flowers of the " WooUybutts," /:. longifolittm (?). The male has long, laminated antennae, as you will sec by the specimen exhibited this evening, and I have wondered if these are principally for ornament ; Init no doubt they also serve some other object in nature. Also you will notice the bright metallic sheen on the wing-cases, and this sheen lasts for fiome considerable time after death. Another beetle of as light a texture as this is a cockchafer, Rliopca lidcrodactyla, also a night-tlier, and on one visit to Parwan \\v found a large number of dead ones under stones, all with their light bodies completelv drained b\ spiders, and nothing left but thin shells. Under loose bark we took four specimens of a \\\w. large longicorn, a species of Tryphocharia, quite new to us, and not, so far as we know, in the possession of other collectors or the .Museum. We do not know where it breeds, but most likelv, ^'°J-1 'Best, To the Alps foy Coleoplera. 87 like others of the species, in the larger cucalypts. Curculios, especially Am\-cticids, were very scarce, and wo only secured' one of the latter, an Acantholophus, probably A. apicola, a rather rare species, under a stone, and, although we turned over man}- others, we were not fortunate enough to secure a second one. Shaking the acacias, A. penninervis, vAih. which the localitv abounds gave very poor results, there being little hfe of any kind on them, our best captures being three speci- mens of a Symphyletes, of which I had only one in my collection, and this was also taken from off an acacia on the Alps, but not ^4. penninervis. On previous visits the longicorn beetle, Macrones besti, was fairly plentiful, but on this occasion we did not sec a single specimen, nor did we see any signs of it breeding in the acacias, its habitat. We secured a few larvae of a longicorn in the roots of the acacias, but we think if they run their course they will prove to be only the common Uracanihus trian\;^ularis, and, if so, they have adopted a different method to what they do around Melbourne, where they favour the dead l)ranches of A. pycnantha and A. mollissima. In the gullies, under logs (of which there were plenty), we secured a fair number of carabs, but, whilst a few were rather rare, none was new to us. Amongst others were Notonomus gippslandicus and A^. gippsiensis. Of other families we took Adeliiim siibdipressitm, Apasis, var. howitti, A. hiplegcnoides, Lepispeliis stygraniis, and Coripera, sp., also two specimens of Rhyssonotus paralleliis. Ixpidoptera (Imtterflies and moths) were singularly scarce, and, so far as regards the former, were in marked contrast to previous experiences on the Alps, when they — especially the common white, Picris teutonia — were then to be seen in thousands, literally thousands, for in walking along the Omeo road you could not avoid treading on them at every step ; they wore ;dl flying northwards. To hii'ds we did not pay nuicli attention, l)ut in any case not many were; to be sct-ii. \\\ the gullies we expected to see or liear the Lyre-bird, but our luck was out, and our hopes were not gratified. Of reptiles all we saw was a few lizards ; of snakes we did not see one In the valley of the Dargo River, where they were supposed to be numerous, and where we worked through the thick scrub and grass, which would afford plenty of shelter, we neither saw nor heard any. Possibly the noise we made disturlied them, and they slid silently away. One thing is certain : we could have Ix'cn the only disturbers, for during our five; days, except on the Omeo road, we never saw a human being or an animal. This will give you some idea of h(nv little the place is fre(pu'nte'd l)y visitors. ^lay it long remain so ! 88 B-ESJ. To the Alps for Coleoptera. [voi.'xxxvil. As showing the mildness, not to say coldness, of the summer, clusters of the yellow and black Ladybird, Halyzia melhyi, were frequently found sheltering themselves under stones. Under ordinary circumstances they would have been found on the various shrubs. I would hkc to say that at no time were we more than about two miles from the Hospice, as our experience of many years has proved to us that in collecting insects it is not tlic distance you travel, but rather the careful inspection of a limited area, that counts. At one time the Hospice maintained a flock of goats, and from these the visitors always got fresh milk, but now one has to be contented with the condensed article. The goats, however, are still in evidence, and may be seen at times from the Hospice on the steeper side of Mount Smythc. They have gone wild, and probably in the near future may afford good sport — not, perhaps, equal to the Swiss Chamois — to those visitors who may like a bit of difficult hunting. I trust they will not be interfered with for some time, so that they may increase and spread ov-er the numerous hills. Since writmg the above I have quite recently heard that Mr. and I\Irs. Thompson have temporarily removed from the Hospice, so that now only a man is left to cater for —shall I say unfortunate ?— visitors. At Harrietville, at the foot of the Alps, we stayed for a couple of days, but were not very successful, insect life being far from plentiful. Our best captures were a longicorn of the genus Tryphocharia, similar to some taken by Mr. Dixon at (iisborne, supposed to be new, and, so far as we know, these are the only two places where there are any records of it — truly a very wide distance apart ; also one specimen of that large Clerus beetle, Nalalis litana. Nearly all others were similar to what is found around Melbourne. At the time of our visit there should have been an abundance of lif(; on the young gums, but it was not so. Even the common Ladybirds, Paropsis and Cadmus, were almost cntin-ly absent. There were, however, a few of the large common l)rown cockchafer, Anoplognalhus analis. At this place (Harrietville) we had, through the influence of a friend, obtained permission to accompany him through a mine which has had many ups and downs, but is now again doing very well, having recently come on to the dividend list. The mine is the Rose. Thistle, and Shamrock, and the tunnel through which we were taken to reach the workings is 2,000 feet long, and. we were informed, took over fifteen years to drive — a fact e;'.sily to Ix; believed whrn one looks at the solid rock through which it was driven, ihe reef varies in thickness and in richness, but to our inexperienced eyes it looked poor, but W(; were told it was averaging at least one ounce ^"^^-J BicsT, To the Alps for Coleoptera. 89 to the ton, wliicli is fairly good. The mine is situated some distance up the hills, and the country round about is almost in its natural state, except that many big trees have been cut down for mining purposes. Round about the mine we noticed three Cetonids tlyiug — Schizorhina giilosa, S. phillipsi, and S. iioysdlis- -but so quick was their flight tliat our efforts resulted in the capture of only (^ne of the last-named. Harri(;tville, \mtil comparatively recently, boasted three hotels, but two luive closed their doors. However, we have pleasure in stating that the remaining one is well conducted, and offers good inducement to visitors to prolong their stay. We put in a day at Bright, the railway' terminus, and this was more than sufficient to satisfy us that our time was and would be wasted if we stayed longer. All along the Ovens River tin; Bursaria was in splendid flower, but in all my long experience I can never recollect an occasion on which there was so little life on it — not even bees or flies w(>re on it : neither was there any life on the acacias or young gums, and it was a feeling of relief to us when the evening cam(> and we knew we were leaving for home the following morning. No more Bright for us, but we were certainly favourably impressed with the possibilities of Harrietville, and if we ever n^peat the trip we will assuredly give it anotlur trial. Of course, W(^ saw plenty of that noxious and (so far as we know) useless weed, the St. John's Wort. It was well in flower and growing plentifully around the Hospice and the hiUs at Harrietville, and is spreading rapidly. No attempt seems to be made to cope with it, and, to our minds, this and the almost equally objectionable blackberry will in the near future obtain complete control of the district, and thus the one-time very fertile valley of the Ovens will l)ecomc- absolutely valueless for settlement. I'lien, again, there is tin- dredging, which has destroyed thousands of acres of valuabk- land, and it will Uikv many years, if ever, for Nature to recover itself. In places you cannot get near the river for the bramliles, so thick are they ; and it is perhaps within the bounds of possibility tliat they may eventualK' obtain masterv over the St. John's Wort. .About some parts of Bright there is little or none of this weed, notably in and around the raihvaw and it struck us as peculiar that, especially where lliere was an abimdance of couch-grass, it was almost entirel\- absent. Not biMug a scientist, I am reluctant to advance- a theory that some stronger plant may eventually hv found that will kill it out on the lower grounds : but on tlie liills the only prospect is plant suicide. I really !)elieve that in time, perhaps soon, the plant will b<' applied to some good business purpose, for it is a poor plant in< of the Royal Society of Victoria, vol. xxxii. (new series), part i, Mr. H. H. Williamson, in a paper t-ntitled " A Revision of the Genus Pultenaia, Part 1.," deals critically with about half (fifty) of the known species. The genus, which is confined to Australia, has long been in a confused state as regards limita- tion of species, and the author, by means of short descriptivi- and comparative notes and simple diagnostic drawings, seeks to clear up some of this confusion. In his introductory remarks \\v. outlims the factors which have guided him generally in determining the species. The work was undertaken at the suggestion of Prof. Ewart, and all the material at the National Herbarium, as well as specimens forwardid by the Government Hotanists of the other States, were carefully examined. The following are the alterations and ad(htions made : I*, daflt- noidcs, Wendl., par. parv i folia Vpytrv Murray, (". I'lciuli. jun., i(;l(-lie ^ P. nticrophylla, Sieb., var. cinerascens. In the concluding part, which has not been published yet, tin- author deals with some thirty species, of winch four are considered as new to science Thk L.ATii Pkofhssok Saccakdo. The Prooklyu HoUniic (rardcn Record announces the deatii the pubUc from 3 to 10 p.m., as many persons could pay a visit after business hours — between 5.30 and 7 p.m. — when it was now closed. More prominence should be given to notices requesting visitors not to touch the flowers. Mr. C. Daley, E.L.S., was also of opinion that the exhibition should be held later, and suggested the estal)lishment of an inquiry bureau, where visitors could get inf(jrmation as to exhibits. Mr. V. G. A. Barnard favouri-d an earlier date for the exhibition, saying that hot, drying winds usually made their appearance in the first and second weeks of October, which were fatal to the lasting powers of cut wild-flowers. He thought if suggestions were called for at the June; UH'cting it would be possible to make provision for trying some of them. Miss (i. Nokes suggested that, in order to see tlu- complete range of the native flora, tw<> or thn-e smaller exhibitions iniglit i)e held in addition to the principal one Mr. D. J-Jest thought that a successful exhibition once a year was as much as could he. expected of the members to unch'rtake. The chairman said that he was pleased to annoimcc that Mr. St. John'!-- btx^ks, &c., stolen during the wild-flower exhibition, had bet n recovered, though in a soiucwliat damaged condition. Keft;rence was made by Mr. i". (i. A. P>arnard to a recent letter in the Argus by Mr. J. W. Audas l-'.L.S., caUing attention t(j the destruction of flowering plants in the Grami)ians. He moved that a l"tt«T bi- sent to the Eorests Department asking ^Q^.'l Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 1920 J 93 that closer supervision be exercised with regard to visitors at the Grampians. ]\Ir. Beuhne said the fires always occur after the sheep have been taken out of the hills. The motion was seconded by Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., and carried unanimously. PAPER. Owing to the failure of a valve of the oxygen apparatus, the illustrated paper by Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., on " The Tertiary Flora of Australia," had to be postponed, the exhibition of lantern slides being essential. NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., gave a short explanation of the occurrence known as " musical sand." Mr. F. G. A. Barnard mentioned that, when at Bacchus Marsh on 31st October, he had seen a butterfly cross the road which he believed wa? Papilio stheneins, Macleay, the Chequered Swallow-tail, a rare butterfly in Victoria, and stated that a specimen of this butterfly had been taken during an excursion to the locality some thirty years before. He also asked if members had noticed the prevalence lately of the little Bordered Sulphur Butterfly, Terias smilax, Don. He had seen it at Kew, Bacchus Marsh, Brighton, and Black Rock — at the latter localities in quite large numbers. Usually only a few specimens of this species are seen in a season. Anderson and Spry, in their work, " Victorian Butterflies," record a similar occurrence in 1886-7. Mr. C. Oke said he had seen a specimen of Papilio stheneins at the Lerderderg on the 30th October. Mr. F. Spry said that the Lesser Wanderer Butterfly, Danaiis petilia, StoU., was commoner than usual this season. He had seen one flying in the city. Mr. E. Wilson said that during a recent visit to Queensland he had seen thousands of butterflies of several species at the Darling Downs and the Blackall flanges. Mr. C. Frencli, jun., remarked that the Cut-worm Moth, Mamestra ewingi, was very plentiful this season, which in- dicated a bad time for the farmers. The chairman drew attention to the exhibit by Mr. N. W. Caylcy of several ])eautiful paintings of Australian birds' eggs, which are being prepared for reproduction in a new work on Australian and Tasmanian birds and their eggs. Mr. Y.. Wilson also remarked on the excellence of the paintings, and said that the letterpress of the work was in the hands of Messrs. D. Lc; Souef and C. Barrett. K.XHIBITS. . By Mr. C. C. Brittlebank and Mr. C. French, jun.— Nino species of micro-fungi collected on excursion to Lerderderg, 94 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [v,l!'xxxvii. one species of which — Piiccinio caniitipyciiocep/iiili, found on leaves of Shore Thistle, Cardims f^yciiocepJtal us— he'mg the first record for AustraUa. By ^Ir. Xevilk' W. Cayley. — ("nloiir-chawint^'s of i'ay, Wilson's Promontory. By Messrs. C. French, jun., and E. E. Pescott. -Sickle Green- hood orchids, Ptcrosiylis falcata, from Vermont. By Mr. J. Cr. Mann. — Fasciated branehlct of Sheoke, Casiiarina strict a, from Frankston. By Mr. Chas. Oke.— Thirty-nine species of Coleoptera taken on Lcrderderg excursion, including thirteen species which live communal with ants — amongst these may be specially mentioned Chlamydopsis longipes, Lea, and (' . cclatomiU(C, Lea ; also two rare species of ants. Bv Messrs. E. E. Pescott and C. Fri'ncli, jun.- -Herbarium specimens of fourteen species of Western Australian orchids colk'cted bv Dr. R. S. and Mrs. Rogers, including Lypcranthus serratiis, Lindl., Caladenia iiiiita, iMtz., (.'. Iiirta, Lindl., ('. mulliclava, Reich, f. (very rare), C . macrostylis, Fitz., C. plicata, Fitz., C . longicauda, Lindl., CAossodia cmarginata, Lindl., Drakcra glypiodon, Fitz., Prasop/iylluiii hiciiis, Reich, f., /'. ciuiilldlmii, Reich, f. : P. MticUcri, .Xiidrews : iind Piiiris Piirdcvi, Deils. By Mr. .Mfred J. Tadgell.~-(.-f ) Two forms of the Short Purple Mag, Patcrsonia ^^laiica, Iridfe — (^0 the type form has glaucous, narrow, rigid leaves, conve.x on botli sides, with flowers almost stemless — from Sandringham ; (h) a varit-ty resembling at first glance the long-scaped Patersonia, /*. longiscapa, with which it grew ; this form [h) is very dwarf, flowers on long scapes, the leaves flat and flexile - from Oak- leigh. {B) An example of arrested sap in grass flower-head, Tctrarrhcna {Phrlmrta) junccn, Wire (irass ; {a) normal spi'ci- men, showing flower-head s])icate and elongate; {h) distort, showing the flower-head in a l)r()ad, flattened form - from Dandenong Ranges. {(') Si-nsitive 'l"rigger-j)lant , Caitdollca {Stylidium) graminifoliiini, a very tall specim(;n. .\ feet 2 inches high — from Dandt-nong Ranges. By Mr. H. B. Williamson. -Specimens of Pnltciia'a tcrnata, F. v. M., Grey Bush-Pea, collected at Whitfield by Mr. Walsh : Giilinm gcminifoliiim, F. v. M., Twin-leaf Bedstraw, collected at Kerang by Sir. M. J. Semmens ; and Khagodia liastaia, Saloop ^■^^^l Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 95 Salt-bush, Rhagodia pavabolica, Mealy Salt-bush, Calaiidriiiu volnbilis, Twining Purslane, C. calyptrata, Pink Purslane, Wcstringia glabra, Violet Westringia, Carex polyantha, Slender Sedge, collected on Lerderderg excursion. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. EXCURSION TO BENDIGO. (x\bridged.) The members who visited Bendigo on nth and 12th Septem- ber were favoured with pleasant weather following good rains, and the programme, therefore, was able to be carried out with complete satisfaction to all. The afternoon of Saturday was spent in a visit to the country north and west of Eaglehawk. Crossing over Lightning Hill, patches of Green Mallee, Eucalyptus viridis, were met with. Our first orchid was Plerostylis mutica. Many other flowers interested us as we made our way towards the reservoir, in the vicinity of which we found a few plants of Boronia anemonifolia , with the Wax- flower, Eriostemon obovalis. A double form of this was found later, near the Moon mine. Acacias of several species were numerous here, also the delightful little shrub, Cryptandra amara, as well as several other interesting plants. On the following day we visited the " Whipstick " scrub, aboiit fifteen miles north of the city, taking the Eaglehawk road. Presently Acacia calamifolia made a fine show. At a hill beyond " Wallace Reef " the orchid Glossodia major was seen in large numbers, and associated \\'ith it were Caladenia cccrulca, C. carnca, Pterostylis mutica, and others. Later, the bluish fohage of Eucalyptus polybractea, Blue Mallee, attracted attention. This species is used extensively for the distillation of oil. Three other Malices, /:. viridis, E. Behriana, and E. incrassata, grew around, with three Melaleucas, .1/. decussata, M. uncinata, and M . Wilsoni, Calythrix tetragona, and Leplospermum myrsinoidcs forming a typical bit of " Whipstick." Many other flowering shrubs were here, also Prostanthcra coccinea and Grevillca lunigera, both pale and red forms of the latter being noted. A fair number of birds were seen or heard during the day, including the Bell-bird, Bronze and PaUid Cuckoos, Yellow Rol)in, Harmonious Thrush, Coachwhip-bird, Butcher-bird, Rosella, and Scarlet Lory. A number of interesting " ants' nest " beetles were S(.'cur(;d liy Mr. C. Oke, as well as several species of ants. In addition to the plants observed on the last excursion, and listed in the Naturalist for November last (xxxvi., p. 103), the following were noted during the excursion, mainly in the 96 Excursion to Bendiiio. r Vitt. Nat. LVol. XXXVI " Whipstick." All were in liower, except those marked o, without flowers or buds ; b, in bud only ; and //, in fruit only. PiTTOSPORE.?; — b Billardiera cymosa. Droserace^ — 6 Drosera glaiululigera. RUTACEit — Crowea cxalata. Eriostemoii difforniib. OXALIDE/E — Oxalis corniculata. Casuarine.e — Casuarina distyla. SAPINDACE.t; — // Dodona-a viscosa. PoRTULACACE.?i — Claytonia pygma-a. calyptrata. SALSOLACEiT- — 0 Rhagodia nutans. LEGUMINOS/E — Kcnncdya prostrata. Acacia calamifolia. obliqiia. // lincata. (I retinodes. sclerophylla. CRASSULACK/E — b Tilla'a verticillaris. Halorage/E — b Haloragis data Myrtace,*; — Ba;ckea diffusa. /) J.eptospernuim niyrsinoidcs. (t Melaleuca uncinata. // W'ilsoni. ft Eucalyptus polyanlluiuos. h,fl ])olyi)ractea (fruticetoruni). h, ft incrassata. b.ft Behriana. Araliace.i: — b Astrotricha ledilolia. Umbellifer.t; — Daucus brachiatus. Hydrocotyle capillaris S.\.NTALACE/E — Exocarpus stricta. Proteace.*; — Grevillea rosmarinifolia. RUBIACE-Ii — Galium australc. COMPOSIT.4-; — Brachycomc collina. Olcaria microphylla. Stuartina .Muellcri. b Podolopis acuminata. Helichrysum adnatuni. Campanulace^ — b Wahlenbcrgia gracilis. Goodeniace;e— Dampiera lanceolata (.-'). Goodenia aniple.vans. i) varia. LOGANIACE.E — Logauia florihunda. Plantaginace.e — Plantago varia. Scrophularine.e — Veronica calycina. Labiat-« — Prostantlicra coccinca. b Westringia rigitUi var. grcvilUna. 0RCIIII)1..1. — Caladcnia congcsla. Ji:.\cace.e — J uncus i)auciflorus. Centroi.epid.i:— ^ Centrolepis stngosa. D.wii) J. Paton. Wild-Flower Exhibitions. — Very successful exhibitions (if wild-flowers have recently been held by kindred societies in Brisbane and Adelaide, at each of which Victorian flowers were exhibited. The former, held on 25th Septi-mber, included, as well, a general natural history e.\liil)ili()n, was largely attended, and created con>>idr., which has long been regarded as a doubtful parasite. A remarkable fact about the tre(; is that, being so very floriferous, it exhausts itself, and rarely prr)duces seeds, while should seeds be produced they are generally infertile : l)ut by thinning f)Ut the blossoms fertile seeds mav I"' secured. The tree, in order to mnltij^ly itself, sends out long rmdergro\md stems, sometimes as long as one hunflred \ards, which give off at intervals aerial branches. %'o] Notes. lOt usually regarded as suckers. It has ahvajs been fonsidered as a parasite, but no definite proof of this fact seems to have been secured until Mr. Herbert started his investigations. In 1893 Baron von Mueller wrote to Mr. W. Webb, of Albany, for infomiation regarding the tree, and his reply, pubhshed in the Victorian Naturalist for January, 1894 (vol. x., p. 158), is borne out by Mr. Herbert's investigations, though Mr. Webb concludes by expressing the opinion that the tree is an inde- pendent growth. Mr. Herbert shows that from the long, wandering stems of the Nuytsia arise branching roots, which give rise to white, fleshy roots, up to about a quarter of an inch in diameter, from which, in turn, smaller and more fragile roots extend. From these, when they come in contact with the root of some other plant (the species does not seem to matter, even garden plants being attacked), a fleshy outgrowth starts to develop, and two white fleshy arms start to grow round the attacked root in opposite directions from the point of contact, finally forming an unbroken fleshy ring round the attacked root. On the inner side of the fleshy ring arise haus- toria, or suckers, and through these it is thought the Nuytsia obtains an additional supply of organic material, including nitrogenous substances, and can therefore be regarded as a true parasite. Whether it should be considered as a member of the Loranthacea.', or placed in an order of its own, is a matter of opinion. The paper is well illustrated with drawings, par- ticularly of stem and root sections, and is an excellent piece of work regarding one of the most extraordinary of Australia's many remarkable vegetable productions. The Austral Avian Record. — Nos. 2 and 3 (issued as one part) of vol. iv. of this publication, dated 28th July, 1920, is to hand. In it the editor, Mr. Gregory Mathews, and Mr. Tom Iredale provide; an essay on " Avian Taxonomy," in which they give their reasons for a new grouping of the class Aves, which they launcli as " our first attempt at providing a work- able classification of avine forms." The classification com- mences with the order Struthiones, and concludes with the order Passeres. The minor divisions are sub-orders, super- families, and families. As may be expected, a number of changers in the names of famihar families have been made. The super-family Passeroidea is the most extensive in the list, including no less than sixty-two families, commencing with Hirumhnidie and ending with Corvida?. Following this is " A Name-list of the Birds of New Zealand," extending to fifteen pages, classified according to the foregoing system, and giving a vernacular name for each bird. The first portion of " A Name-Ust of Australian Birds," extending to seven pages, concludes the part. This commences with Dromiceius nover- hollandice, Emu, and concludes with Vdola lapponica, Barred- 102 ■'^'""- LVol. XXXV rumpcd God wit. A large proportii")!! of the generic names have been altered ; thus the Silver Gull (Larus) becomes Bntchi- gavia novcc-hollandia. Trinomials have been quite forgotten. A vernacular name is given for each bird, here, again, differing from current names in many cases. The well-known Mutton- bird, or Short-tailed or Sooty Petrel , is now Nconcclris teniti- rosiris instead of Puffin us bfevuiiiuiiis. SciENXE IN New Zealand. — In iQib there died at Nelson, New Zealand, Mr. Thomas Cawthorn, a well-known citizen of the town, who left the bulk of his estate for the establishment of a technical institute and museum. Owing to the unrest caused by the war it was not deemed advisable to take any action imtil the present year, when, by the addition of interest, the capital had grown to nearly £"200,000. The scheme has now been set on foot, and temporary premises have been secured. A director, Prof. T. H. Easterfield, M.A., Ph.D.. has been appointed, with a staf^ consisting of a biologist, assistant entomologist, agricultural chemist, assistant chemist, and a lady. Miss K. M. Curtis, M.A., D.Sc, as mycologist. Work will be undertaken in connection with insect pests, fungus diseases, and in other directions to stimulate production, not only in Nelson, l)ut in the whole of the Dominion. Here is an example which might McU be followed in other centres. The Longevity of Cut Flowers. — An interesting record of experiments made in this direction appears in a paper by Miss Kliinor Archer, M.Sc, in the Proc. Royal Society of Vidorid, vol. xxxii. (new series), part 2 (issued September, 1920). The popular idea of immersing the stems in boiling water was found to be of no use. Experiments suggested that a gummy exudation which blocks up the vessels in the stems is mainly the cause of the withering. Solutions capable of dissolving the exudation were experimented with, and the conclusion arrived at that a i per cent, solution of lead nitrate is likely to b{! of most service as a preservative of cut flowers. Reports from members on this question would be- apj)reciated. '• The Physiography and Geology of the Bulla-Syden- ham Area." Such is the title of a very instructive paper by Mr. Albert V. G. James, B.A., M.Sc, in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of ]'ictoria, vol. xxxii. (n. s.). part 2 (issued SeptemlHT, 1920). The paper is illustrated iiy plates, and a map which d( tails an area of 20 square miles, and will be foimd extremely useful to anyone; ve the junction of Jackson's Creek, ?2ucalyptus leaf beds are noted. CDc Uictorian naturalist Vol. XXXVII.— No. 9. JANUARY 13, 1921. No. 445. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 13th December, 1920. The president, ]\Ir. J. (iabriel, occupied the chair, and about sixty-five memliers and \nsitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr. O. Romcke invating the president and members to meet at his residence, " Norway," Woodstock-street, Canter- bury, on Saturday afternoon, i8th inst., in order to inspect (under the guidance of Mr. P. R. H. St. John) the Camberwell City Council's plantation of Australian trees in an adjacent reserve. The president said that, as time was short, the com- mittee had already accepted the invitation, and he trusted there would be good response to Mr. Romcke's invitation. F"rom Mrs. Helen Watts, thanking the Club for its expression of sympathy in her bereavement, and inviting members to inspect her late husband's collections of ferns, mosses, lichens, &c. REPORTS. .\ report of th(> excursion to the Fitzroy Gardens on Satur- day, ijth November, was given by the leader, Mr. J. Stick- land, who stated that a number of pond-life enthusiasts had spent a very interesting afternoon there. Thanks were due to the curator for the facilities granted to investigate the ponds in the different enclosures. The results showed that micro-fauna and flora abounded, over fifty genera being represented. Special mention might be made of Phacus longicaiidus, the spii'al form, Eiiglcna s pi I'Ogyr a, and Ophrydiiim sessile. Mr. J. Searle, who was interested principal!}' in the micro-fauna, noted the Crus- taceans Bivckella asymdrica, B. oblonga, Cyclops australis, C. leuckarti, Daphnia carinata, and CypHdopsis minna ; also an uncommon capture, the cecaria stage of a fluke, probably of a bird. The results of this excursion, and the one last year, reported in the Naturalist for February last (xxxvi., p. 136), show that the gardens can provide plenty of material for the most ardent pond-hunter, while naturalists with other tastes can also find items of interest in the exotic trees and plants growing there. For instance, the fine specimen of the Maiden- hair Tree, Gingko biloha, the sole representative of its genus, family, and order, and the relic of a by-gone flora, is well worthy of inspection. I04 Field N aturalists Club — Proceedings. [voi.'xxxvii. A report of the excursion to Emerald on Saturday, 20th November, was given (in the absence of the leader, Mr. W. Scott) by Mr. F. Pitcher, who said that a small party visited Emerald on that date, where they were met by Mr. Scott, who resides in the neighbourhood, and invited to his home for a cup of tea before entering on the walk along the tourist track. The Monbulk road was traversed for a httle distance, and then the tourist track was entered on and followed to Paradise, where the evening train was taken for town. Though nothing of particular importance was met with, the members thoroughly enjoyed the fern scenery along Menzies Creek, parts of which are exceedingly lin(^ and well worthy of a visit. A report of the excursion to Beaumaris on Saturday, nth December, was (in the absence of the leader, Mr. J. Shephard) given by Mr. W. Glance, who said that a number of members had taken part in the excursion, and, though the tide was favourable, few specimens of importance were obtained. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Miss A. and Miss L. Cruickshank, " Currajong," Auburn-road, Hawthorn ; Miss Margaret A. Salter, Avondale-road, Armadale ; Miss Florence Smith. " Cora Lynn," 29 Addison-street, Moonee Ponds ; Mr. D. J. Chandler, Tooronga-road, Malvern ; Mr. Arthur J. (iraham, 104 Nicholson- street, Abbotsford ; and Mr. Arthur (t. Hooke, jj John-street, Hawthorn, were duly elected as ordinary members ; Mr. Chas. D'Alton, Hall's Gap, Grampians, and Rev. W. C. Tippett, Maldon, as country memb(;rs ; and Mr. Herl)ert J. V. Moore, 259 Auburn-road, Hawthorn, and Mr. Cedric K. Ralph, Finch- street north. East Malvern, as associate meinlKrs of the Clul>. GENERAL BUSINESS. The president stated tliat the committee had decided on 4th October, 1921, as the date of the next exhibition of wild- flowers ; but, on inquiry at the Town Hall, it was found that the hall was already engaged for the first two weeks of Octobt'r, and that it could not he engaged, for a single day, more than three months in advance. However, he hoped that it would be possible to secure it for Tuesday, ^jtli Scptt'iiihci. PAPER. By Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., entitled •" A Sketcii of the Geological History of Australian Plants - Part III.: The Cainozoic Flora." The author gave an interesting account, illustrated by a line series of lantern shdes, of the occurrence of evidence of a ^^"yl Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 105 Cainozoic flora in Australia. In Victoria leaf-beds of this age occur at Berwick, Flemington, and other places. The great deposits of brown coal at Altona and IMorwell contain a great variety of vegetable remains, in which a Callitris (Murray Pine) figures largely. New South Wales, Queensland, South Aus- traha, and Tasmania also supply examples which undoubtedly belong to this age. NATURAL HISTORY xNOTE. Miss C. C. Currie, of Lardner, forwarded a note; with a photo- graph of a remarkable occurrence of seedhng tree-ferns around the stem of a Hill Tree-fern, Alsophila aiistralis, about eighteen inches below the crown of fronds. The tree-fern is about fourteen feet in height, and is growing on the sheltered side of her house. She asked if any member had ever seen a similar occurrence. Mr. F. Pitcher said that in his long experience among ferns he had never seen anything resembling the growth detailed by Miss Currie. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard read a short extract from a letter received from a country member, Mr. D. J. Paton, who had recently visited the groups of palms, Livistona australis, at Cabbage-tree Creek, East Gippsland. The writer said that the palms are in good condition. He had counted over sixty specimens, some of which are well over 100 feet in height. Several were in flower, but too high up to examine properl}\ Many seedlings were seen and seeds picked up, so that there should be no doubt about the permanence of the patch. In reply to a question by Mr. A. E. Keep, Mr. G. A. Keart- land said that partridges have not acchmatizcd well in Victoria. They may have a couple of broods, but not more. On the other hand, pheasants have done wtU, and have to be shot over in order to control their numbers. Mr. J. Gabriel said that on two previous occasions he had related the persistence of a pair of swallows in endeavouring to build a nest under a verandah, though it had been destroyed at least a dozen times. They had since succeeded in compU^ting a nest in another spot ancl rearing a brood. Recently they resumed operations under the verandah, and worked from daybreak to about 2 p.m. When the nest was destroyed, however, another nest was built next morning. Mr. P. C. Morrison said that a friend at Swan Hill had told liim of a pair of Magpies bringing out a brood of young ones near a house, and close by a pair of Black-and-White Fantails had also brought out a brood. The I'^antails had so liarassed the Magpies when feeding tiieir young that after a week the Magpies gave up the task, and allowed Uunr young to die. k io6 Field Naturalists^ Club — Proceedings. [vd'^xxxvii Referring to a paragraph in the December Nniiiralisl, Mr. 1'^ E. Pescott, F.L.S., said that Uowering dahlias, Iceland poppies, and wattles can undoubtedly be freshened up by placing the stems in hot water. EXHIBITS. By Mr. J. W. Audas, F.L.S. — Specimens of Piiltencca Wein- dorferi, Reader, from Nar Nar Goon — an unrecorded locality for this plant. By Mr. A. X. Burns. -Thirty-three species of butterflies from Ferntree Gully district, including the following rare species : — Papilio sthentiiis, Orange Swallow-tail, Miletus dclicia, Moonlight Blue, and Pseitdahneniis chlorinda. By Miss C. C. Currie. — Photograph of Tree-fern, Ahuphila luistralis, showing growth of seedhngs just below the crown of fronds. By T)r. P. T. Justesen. — Photographs of Rafflesia Arnoldi, taken in Sumatra, including growing buds and flowers and vertical and horizontal sections through the bud. By Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., and Mr. C. French, jun.— Herbarium specimens of orchids — Prasophyllinn Braineaniim, Rogers (new species), from Rirgwood, with P. fitsciiin for comparison : P. Fremhii, V . v. M., from Ringwood ; P. flavutn, R. Br., from Stawell (new locality) : Thelymitra fusco-lutea, R. Br., from French Island (new locality) ; PterostyHs, sp., new unnamed species from Dandenong Ranges : photographs of Diiiris cilha. R. Br., b}- Mr. W. H. Xicholls ; and living plants of ("row Orchid, Orlhoceras sirictimi, K. Br., from Mr. J. A. Hill, Stawell. By Mr. !•". Pitcher. Specimen of grass, Clyccria dives, " Wild Oats," ten feet high, finni tixirist track, Menzies Creek. By Mr. P. R. H. Si. Joim. Herbarium specimens of two double-flowered specimens of Austral Blue-bell, Wahlenbergia gracilis (X.O. Campanulacejc), collected by Rev. .\le\. Macallan at Lake Rowan, Xovember, 1920. By Mr. A. J. Tadgell. — Seven swam]) plants cfjllected at Oak- leigh, nth I)ec(Mnber, 1920: — Swamp Mazus, Menus pumilio (X.C). Scropluilarin;e) ; Tall ITowering Rnsli, Xyris opcrculnla ; l'"orked Sundew, Drosera Innala, quite a striking plant when in flower ; Tiny Sundew, /). pygmea ; Spoon-leaved Sundew, I), spathidala ; also the two Selaginellas — S. Prcissiana, Preiss's Club Mo«s (annual) and 5. uliginosa. Swamp Club Moss (perennial). Bv Mr. H. 1>. WiUiiiinson. — Eggs of .Mutton-binl or Short- tailed Petrel, taken at Cape Woolamai. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. Jan., J Pfc;cott AXD Frexcti, OrcJiid s K ew foY Victori a. 107 ON FOUR ORCHIDS NEW FOR VICTORIA. By E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., and C. Frenxh, jun. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, i ith Oct., 1920.) It is the intention of Dr. R. S. Rogers, M.A., the well-known orchidologist of Adelaide, to place on record, in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia, four orchids new for Victoria, two of which are new to science. Caladenia iridescens, Rogers, n. sp. — -This orchid was col- lected by one of us (E. E. P.) on the rocky slopes of the hills close to the Splitters' Falls, in the Grampians, in October, IQ13. Specimens were sent to Dr. Rogers, who laid them aside for mature consideration. In structure the orchid is not unlike C. cons^esta, but it is much more slender, and the colour is a beautifully iridescent red-bronze. Specimens were collected in the Grampians a few days later by Mr. J. W. Audas, F.L.S. The specific name has reference to the iridescence of the flower, and the vernacular name suggested is " Bronzy Caladenia." Caladenia alba, R. Br. — This orchid was described b\^ Robert Brown, and is figured by Fitzgerald in his " Australian Orchids." It must not be confused with the albino form of Caladenia carnea, which is fairly common. Tlic arrangement of the petals and sepals is similar to tliat of ('. carnea in that two sepals and the two petals stand out like four outstretched fingers, while the dorsal sepal stands up above the column, but not as a hood. The colour is pure white, with a sugges- tion of heliotrope, while the flower is quite as large, if not larger, than Glossodia major. Three specimens were found at the end of September last, on the slopes of Mount Dandenong, by Master Jack French. The specimens were not in close proximity, but were far removed from each other. The common name suggested is " White Caladenia." Caladenia cordiformis, Rogers, n. sp. — Last year we received from Western Australia specimens of von Mueller's Caladenia Cairnsiana. These specimens differed in so many ways from the accepted Victorian specimens that reference was made to the " Flora Australiensis " and to the " Fragmenta Phytographie Australie " for confirmation. We then found that the western specimens agreed with the published description, but that the generally accepted Victorian specimens of C. Cairnsiana certainly did not. It was too late in the season to send fresh specimens of C. Cairnsiana to Adelaide ; dried specimens were sent, and this season an ample supply of fresh flowers was forwardinl to Dr. Rogers. Dr. Rogers has decided that this orchid is lo8 PEf^coTT AND Frexcii, Orchi(h Xeii' for Victoria. [v„i."xxxvii. certainly not C. Cairnsiana, and that it docs not conform to any published description of a Caladenia ; so that the orchid which has been masquerading in Victoria for over thirty years as C. Cairnsiana becomes C. coniifornm, and the former orchid must be dropped from our records. It is purely a western species. The specific name refers to the heart-shaped labellum, and the common name proposed is " Heart-lipped Caladenia." It may not be out of place to here briefly show some of the main superficial differences between the two species : — Caladenia Cairnsiana. F. v. M. Cai.aukma cordifokmis, Rogers. (See " Fl. .\iist.," vii., 31.) 1. Leaf linear. i- Feal broad linear and very hairy. 2. Sepals and petals narrow v Sepals and petals broad linear, 5 lines long, not pro- linear, i inch long, produced to duced into points. points which are often distinct- ively clavatc. 3. Labellum al)out as long- as 3. Labellum only lialt ilic the sepals. length ol the jietals and sepals. 4. Labellum consisting chiefly 4. .\o \ein markings on the of the broad lateral lol)es ele- labellum, which is incurved at gantly marked with deep purple the tip. and bHunt. the tip being diverging simple or forked veins, dark-coloured and callous. Caladenia cardiochila, Tate. -.\n orchid was described by Professor Tate in the Proceedings of llic Royal Society of South Austrxilia in 1887 under the name of Caladenia cardiochila. Tate's coloured drawing of this species was published in the Proceeding's of the Royal Society of ]'ictoria in Professor 1*2 wart's " Contribution to tlie Flora of Austraha," vol. xxiii. (i()i6). This orchid was considered by some authoritie? to be too close to C. Cairnsiana to be given specific rank, and the name was subsequently dropped in favour of tlie Western species. Dr. Rogers has now decided tliat (\ Cairnsiana is jmrely a Wf'stern plant, and tliat C. cardiochila must stand as a South Australian species. We liav(; seen one Victorian specimen of C. cardiochila from tlu- lierbarinm of \\. B. Williamson, collected at (irantville by Wm. Wallace. As this orchid has been collected at Border Town by Dr. Rogers, it is quite ])0ssible that It will in the future be recorded from our Mallec district. The vernacular name suggested is " Fleshy-lipped Caladenia." The photo. -engraving wliich is " fig. i " (Caladenia Cairnsiana) in Dr. Rogers's book on South .Australian orchids now becomes C. cardiochila. The fl(rshincss of the labellum, as wcl! as tiie vein markings, arc clearly shown in this engraving. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, Vol. XXXVII. Plate 4. Jaiiuayy, 192 1. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. Vol. XXXVII. January, 1921. Plate ;. Jan..-) 1021 J Pescott, Xotes on the Orchids of Victnria. loq NOTES ON THE ORCHIDS OF VICTORIA. By E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., F.R.H.S. [Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, nth Oct., 1920.) Historical. — -Apart from the purely botanical accounts and descriptions of our orchids which appeared in early botanical works, the first collected record of Victorian orchids appeared in the early pages of the Victorian Naturalist from the pen of that well-known naturalist and orchid enthusiast, Charles French, sen., the father of our Club. The first article appeared in vol. i.. No. i (January, 1884), and the twelfth in vol. iv.. No. 4 (August, 1887). Short articles had appeared from time to time prior to this in the Southern Science Record and other journals from the pens of Baron von Mueller, J. ^I'Kilibin, and others. In his excellent series of articles French gave an account of seventy-five species which, up to that time, had been collected in this State, supplementing his account with records and instructions for the growing of these orchids — a phase of work in which he excelled when at the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. He recorded seventy-five species, three of which were epiphytes. In Mueller's " Key to the System of Victorian Plants " (1888) seventy-eight species are hsted, three of which arc epiphytes. From this list one species {Pterostylis aphylla) must be omitted, leaving seventy-seven species known to 1888. In. the Victorian Naturalist for June, 1895, Charles French, jun., pubhshed " Observations on the Flowering Times and Habitats of Some Victorian Orchids," in which he lists about eighty species and varieties. The list is not complete, but gives the names and localities of all the species which that inde- fatigable collector had noted. Von Mueller's first " Census of Australian Plants," pubhshed in 1882, gives a list of seventy-three species, and the second edition, published in 1889, hsts eighty-two species. The Plant Names Committee, which was appointed by this Club to prepare a vernacular list of native plants, issued its first list in July, 1911, in the Victorian Journal of Agriculture. Here ninety-four species were listed, having, for the first time, common names attached. Four species were subsequentlv removed from this list, two being recorded in error (Praso- phyllum Rcichcnhachi and Caladenia discoidea), one [Pterostylis Mackibbini) having been described as a synonym, and one (C. Cairnsiana) being erroneously named. Thus progress was being made in the discovery of new species as the years passed ; and it is worth recording that the discovery of a considerable number of these new species was due mainly to the good work of Charles French, jun. no Pescott, Xoies on the Orchids of Victoria. [v,o 'xxxvii Since iqii very considerable interest has been taken in the study and observation of our orchids, and at the present time we have a knowledge of 123 species in this State— an increase of thirty-three species since 191 1. The most interesting and popular account of our orchids that has yet been written appeared as a series of articles entitled "The Quest of Orchids" in the columns of The Federal Standard, published at Chiltern, during the years 1917-18. Twenty-two articles were written, describing the collecting and observ^ations extending through the year, and the author records the finding of lifty-three species within a radius of t,en miles from his school at Cravensville, near Tallangatta, in tlie North- Eastern district. To this fine collector, Mr. Arthur K. Braine, stands the record of having collected some of our rarest orchids, one of which was new to science and three new for the State. Colour as a GriDE to Species. — As a general rule, the colour of an individual species is strictly constant, and the general colour can be taken as a guide to the species. Thus, if we find a purple Diuris we can almost safeh' conclude that it will be D. punctata ; or if we find a blue Caladenia we may take it to be C. deformis or C. ccerulea. But that is not in- variably the case, for frequently colour varieties will be found within the species. .\llMno forms, too, are known of many species. A pure white specimen of the Hyacinth Orchid, Dipodiiim punctalum, was found a few years ago at Ararat. White varieties of several species of Thelymitra and Caladenia are known, and also of Glossodia major. A specimen of Pteroslylis falcata, almost pure white in foliage, stem, and flower, .was recently found at Dandenong Creek ; while a member of the Club, Mr. A. J. Tadgell, found a clear yellow variety of Caladenia deformis. Purple and purplish varieties of both Diuris longifolia and /). macnlata are known. The Crow Orchid, Orthoceras strictiim, is found in lioth dark purple and green forms. Green varieties of CJiiloi^loUis trapcziforme, C. Gunnii, Acianthus caudalns, and Cyrtostylis reniformis have also occurred. A red variety of Thelymitra antennifera is also well known. What seems to be an extreme limit in colour variation was the finding last year by Dr. R. S. Rogers — not in this State, but in Western AustraUa — of a pure \v'hite flower of Lyperanthiis nigricans ! So that emphasis must be laid on the fact that it is the structural form, and not the colour of the flower, that determines the species. New Species Recorded Sinxe 191 i. — The following are the species and localities of the new records, so far as these data are available :- Thelymitra venosa, R. Br., the Veined Sun Orchid, collected J^"-' 1 Pescott, Xotes on the Orchids of Victoria. 1 1 1 1921 J ' -' . on the Baw Baw Ranges by C. French, jun. The veinings on the sepals and petals are very marked. Illustrated in Dr. Rogers's " South Austrahan Orchids," p. 37. Thelymitra pancifiora, R. Br., the Slender Sun Orchid, recorded from Bittern, Sandringham, Cheltenham, and Ring- wood. The flowers are pale, and often white. There are usually fewer flowers in the Victorian specim.ens than are shown at page 9 of Dr. Rogers's book. Thelymitra canalicidaia, R. Br., the Pale Sun Orchid. A slender species from Tallangatta and South Gippsland. Thelymitra grandiflora, Fitz., the Great Sun Orchid, recorded from Ocean Grove, Paywit, Moorooduc, Marcus Hill, and Ringwood. This is the largest of the genus, having several large, thick leaves and stems three feet or more high, with thirty to forty bright blue flowers. Illustrated in colours as a frontispiece to Dr. Rogers's book. Thelymitra luteo-cilium, Fitz., the Red Sun Orchid, has been found by J. A. Hill at Golton, near Mount Zero, and also at Baxter, near Langwarrin. The flowers are dark red in colour, the plant is robust, and the seed-pods are exceptionally large. This orchid was considered for many years to be Thelymitra Macmillani, F. v. M., the Salmon Sun Orchid. The latter is a dainty, slender plant, of hghter red, and is recorded from Mount Martha, the Grampians, and Maryborough. Diiiris palachila, Rogers, the Broad-lipped Diuris, has often been taken for a yellow form of Diuris maculata. The broad spade shape of the labellum is a ready guide to the species. It is recorded from Ringwood, Sandringham, Cheltenham, and Diamond Creek. It^is possibly widespread. An illustration is found at page 29 of Dr. Rogers's book. See fig. 2. Calochiliis cupreits, Rogers, Copper Beards. — This striking coppery-coloured bearded orchid is only recorded from two Australian localities — M'Laren Vale in South Australia and the Grampians in Victoria — the collector of the Victorian specimens being J. W. Audas, F.L.S. Prasophyllitm Siittoni, Rogers and Rees, the Alpine Leek Orchid, a slender white and green species, collected by Dr. C. S. Sutton on the Buffalo Plateau in 1902. It has since been collected by other workers. Prasophylliim flavum, R. Br., the Yellow Leek Orchid. — An interesting leafless species with thick, tuberous roots, collected by C. French, jun., on the Baw Baws ; by A. B. Braine, at Cravensville ; and by J. A. Hill, at Stawell. Prasophyllitm album, Rogt-rs, the White Leek Orchid.— A pretty, compact, white-labellum flowt-r from Ringwood, Lang- warrin, Somerville, and simiki.r localities. Sometimes the labellum is beautifully pink. 112 Pescott, Notes on (lie Orchids of I'icton'a. [voy.'xxxvil. Prasophyllnm odoralum, Rogers, the Sweet Leek Orchid.— Not unhkc the latter superftcially, except that the petals and sepals are longer, and the flowers more distant on the spike. It comes from Ringwood ; but possibly this and the former species arc widespread, and may have been taken for Prasophyllnm patens. PrasopJivlliim ciUatiim, Ewart and Rees, the Hairy Leek Orchid.— Collected at Green Valley, near Talbot, by F. M. Reader in 1910. This is a small June-flowering species, with a hairy, fringed labellum. It is only about five or six inches in height, and is rare. Plerostylis falcata, Rogers, the Sickle Greenhood. — Has long been wrongly known as P. cncidlata. The latter is a low- growing species, while the Sickle Greenhood is tall, often a foot in height. The flower is very large, with occasionally purplish shadings. It is found from October to December in moist localities in many parts of the State. Pterostylis alpina, Rogers, the Alpine Greenhood, was for many years looked upon as a small variety of the previously- mentioned Greenhood. It flowers somewhat earlier, the flowers are smaller, and it is recorded from many locahties. Pterostylis revoluta, R. Br., the Autumn Greenhood, was bracketed for many years with P. refiexa. It flowers in autumn. The flower is fairly large and dainty in appearance, green and purplish streaked, with a slender and almost leafless stem. This is one of our daintiest and most striking Greenhoods. It was first recorded from Cravensville by A. B. P>raine, and is generally a mountain plant. Pterostylis Toveyana, Ewart. Uu- Mentone Greenhood. — This was collected at Mentone by J. R. Jovey. It is a June orchid, and is possibly a hybrid between P. refiexa and P. concinna. It is quite small, with stem leaves. The labellum is distinctly notched (bifid) on the top, but not quite so deeply as that of P. concinna. Pterostylis Mitchelli, Lindl., and Plerostylis piisilla, Rogers. — These two belong to the P. riifa, R. Br., group, all of which are more or less marked with a rusty-red colour. P. ruja has the rosette of leaves withered at flowering time ; the labellum is m(!mbranous. P. Mitchelli has a green rosette of leaves at flowering time and a fleshy labellum. The flowers of lioth species are large. P. piisilla has very diminutive flowers, the leaf rosette being green at flowering time, and the labellum membranoiis. DraJicra Hunlianu. V . v. M., the Llhow Orchid. .\ notable find of A. B. IirainiH' of others). At Altona Bay and Newport, shafts were sunk some years ago to obtain brown coal. This was obtained at depths of 347 feet II inches in bore 2, parish of Truganina, sec. vii. : at 355 feet 8 inches, at 362 feet 7 inches (scam 2() feet thick), at 393 feet (seam 42 feet thick), at 435 feet (seam 13 feet thick), and at 448 feet (seam 40 feet thick), parish of Truganina, sec. iv., bore No. 3. In the last-named bore a blue clay con- taining shells with a Balcombian aspect, and having a thickness * Victorian S'aliiraltst. vol. .\.\xv., No. lo, 1919. p. 15(1. t " Mesozoic Floras of Queensland." parts 3 and 4, (jnecnsiand (luol. Siirv. Ptihl., No. 2C)y 1919, p. 2^,2. Tl6 CH.\Tyi.\'S. Geolo(;ical Hislory Austniltdv Plants. [voi'*xxxvii of i8() feet, overlaid Uic \arious seams of brown coal and sand, and therefore the Hgnite is either Balcombian or older — at least OUgoeene or Eocene. From one of these bores at about 345 feet a specimen of fossil (lignified) wood was obtained by Mr. W. J. Parr. Upon an examination of thin sHces of this and other woods from the Altona Bay coal-shaft, I found them to belong to the same type as Sewarcl's genus \lcscmbrioxylo}i.* They are also almost identical with Schenk's " Phyllocladiis " Mueller i from the Deep Leads of \'ictoria.t the wood structure of which recalls that of Callitris. This affinity of the early Tcrtiarv woods to the timber still forming part of the forest land of Victoria and Australia generally, is of very great interest from the point of view of the persistence of a coniferous tj'pc over a vast period. Queensland Fossil Wood. — Other fossil woods of the genus Mesembrioxylon (.1/. fluviale and M . fnsiformc) have lately been described from Tertiary deposits containing bones of Diprotodon. close to the Condamine River, and west of Chinchilla station, on the Western Railway line, beyond Toowcx^mba. It is, of course, extremely probable that the fossil wood may have belonged to an older Tertiary bed than that in which it is now found. The author of the two species mentioned, Prof. Birbal Sahni.J also describes two species of angiospermous woods from the Tertiary of Queensland under the new genus name of Pataloxylon ; these are of a specialized type resembling modern genera, of which eight living families are specified. \'ictori(in Miocene LtJa/'-Bt'c/.s.- Underlying the Older Basalt in Victoria are certain leaf-bearing beds consisting of ferru- ginous consolidated silt occurring in the highlands of the Bogong and Dargo districts ; and also beds of pipeclay in the Berwick and Flemington areas having the same; relation to the Older Basalt. The age of the Older Basalt of Victoria is practically fixed for tin- generality of (occurrences by its inter- calation between Miocene (Janjukian) limestone in the Moorabool Vallex', whilst at I'leniington and ITinders the Miocene marine Ix'ds rest on its eroded surface. Those leaf- bearing beds, therefore, which are found under the basalt are Miocene or earlier. That they can hardly be of Eocene age is seen from the fairly modern type of Eucalyptus leaves mingled with the more archaic forms. Tlie inference may therefore be drawn that they are of Miocene age possibly Lower — and therefore not far removed from the lignite beds of the Altona Bay boring. The licnvick Flora. \)nv of the most inii)ortant assemblages • " Tossil Plant.s." vol. iv., 1919, pp. 173 and 203. t See Schimper and Sclienk. " Trait*- dc PaleophytoloRie," 1891, j;. 8^4. X Queensland Gcol. Surv. I'uM. Xo. 267. 1020. I'cb.. ] Chapmax. ('teolo<'ical Historv A iisttalian Plants. 117 TQ2I J '^ • ' of fossil leaves of the Older Tertiary series is that found under the floor of Wilson's bluestone quarry at Berwick, Gippsland. These leaf-bearing beds are described by A. E. Kitson as " yellow, white, black, and brown soft clays and sandy clays, some of them containing leaves of dicotyledonous plants in great abundance."* Mr. Henry Deane has described the Geological Survey collection of leaves from this locahty,t and remarks that " a large number of the leaves from these deposits have all the appearance of eucah'pts, and that they belong to the genus Eucalyptus as we know it, and not merely to some ancestral form, is highly probable." Many of these leaves belong to the Proleacecr, and altogether the assemblage, as Mr. Deane says, is "as typically Austrahan as that of any district at the present da}'." The following genera from this locality have been determined by Mr. Deane : — Family Tiliace.^. — Genus Aristotelia. Sterculiace.e. — Genus Commerconia. SapindacE/E. — Genus Nephelites. Myrtace,^.- — Genera Trislaniies, Eucalvpltis. Apocyxace.-e. — Genus Apocynophyllum. Monimiace.e. — Genera Atherosperma, Molliiiedia, Hedycarya, and Daphnandra. ,, Proteace.e;. — Genus Lomatia. CupuLiFER.E. — Genus Fagiis. Mr. Deani' and I recently visited this quarry, on which occasion we found a good series of specimens, amongst which were the genera Lomatia, Nephelites, Eucalyptus, and Tristanitcs, and also a fragment of a fern. The exposure is rather difficult of access, but the results of a little work are always good, as the fossils are very abundant. By the almost equal proportion of Eucalyptus leaves (*f the wide-angled, parallel-veined (archaic) type and those in which thc' veins are acutely dis- posed to the midrib, (;ne cannot help concluding that the flora is somewhere in the mid-stage clevelopmcMit, and precludes the idea of one so old even as the Eocene. Flora of the High Plains. -Thv river silts and ferruginous deposits of the Dargo High Plains, already mentioned, have been elevated to between 4,000 and 5,000 feet above sea-level. Underneath the Older Basalt flows at Bogong are found these old flu\iatile beds whose waters formerly ran south, but where now tin- drainage is directed to the Murray. Thev apparently belonged to the oldest, part of the Deep Leads system. The included le;if-remains are referred by McCoy J to I.astnca * Kcc. Geol. Surv. Vict., vol. i.. part 1, 1902, p. 55. t Tom. cit., pp. 2\-T,2, pis. iii.-vii. :f Prog. Rep. No. ;. Geol. Surv. Vict.. 187X. p. 175. iiS CH.\•p•s^^s. Geological Hislory A iisfraliaii Plants, [v.^'x'xxvii. dargoensis, " Salishnria " [Ginkgo) Munayana, and " Tceni- nptcris " tenitinervis. The latter is undoubtedly a cucalypt of the wide-angled and parallel type of venation. The probabli; identity in age of these elevated Tertiary leaf-bearing beds with others nearer the present coastal plain, such as that of Berwick, Bacchus Marsh, and Narracan, is strongly supported bv McCoy's record * of leaves of Cinnamomum polymorphoidcs and Laiiriis wcrriheensis in tlic alluvials of the Dargo Higli Plains, where he also found a fossil leaf which, he says, is " apparently referable to the Ficiis dionysia of Massalongo from the South European Miocene beds."t Besides Cinnaiiiomitm polymorphoidcs and Laitnis xccrribeensis, McCoy notes " p(jssibly Acer " X from the F>acchus i\Iarsh series. This is apparently a leaf of the aceriform Stcrctilin, or Flame-tree, a genus already noted by ]\Ir. Deanc^ from Pitlii'ld Plains. Xarracan, Pitfield, Sentinel Rock, and Mornington. — At Narracan, in South Gippsland, a fine, sandy, plant-bearing bed with leaf remains rests on a denuded surface of Jurassic sandstone. This leaf-bed is closely related in its flora to that of Berwick, Bacchus Marsh, and other Victorian locaUties, making allowances for differences of topography, for it contains Ficonimn Solanderi, Ett., a species recorded from Gunning, New South Wales ; Hcdycarya, of. lati folia, Deane, from Berwick ; Cinnamomum polymorphoidcs, McCoy, from Bacchus Marsh, Dargo, Pitfield, and at Gunning and Vegetable Creek, New South Wales ; Stercnlia, sp. : Eucalyptus, aff. Kitsoni, Deane, from Berwick : and Tristanites angiistifolia, Deane, also previously found at Berwick. The Pitfield flora was obtained from a bore at the Glenfine ICxtt-nded Co. at Pitfield Plains, from a dejith of loo feet, the l)ore passing through two distinct layers of basalt and resting on basalt. Mr. Deane states that " the Uavt-s indicate a vegetation of the ' brush ' type."§ The list from tliis locahty includes Stercnlia Mnclleri, Deane, (?) Drimys, sp., Ncphelitcs Ulrichi, Deane, Mollincdia Mnclleri, Deane, Daphnandra Selwyni, \)ea.nL\' Cinnamomum polymorphoidcs, McCoy, Argo- phyliiies parvifolia, Deane, Encryphia Gregorii, Deane, Panacites Howitti, Deane, Pittosporum prwundulatum, Deane, and Carpo- lilhes acacicrformis, Deane. The absence of Eucalyptus is especially noticeable, bearing out y\\. Deane's conclusions of the type of flora represented. The flora of S. t Also on p. 1 70. * F'ro^. Kep. Geol. Siirv. Vict., vol. ii.. 1X74, p. 24. § Kec. Oeoi. Surv. Vict., vol. i., part 1, 1902, j>. 15. Rec. Oeol. Surv. Vict., vol. i., part 3, 1904, p. 212. '^q2i'] CiiAVMAS. Geological Histoyy Australian Plants. 119 being chiefly of the Coprosma type (Coprosmcephyllum, Deane). Other genera present are the ])roteaceous Persoonia (Geebiing), the coniferous Phyllocladus, and a fragment of a fern frond. Casuarina and Acacia are also represented. The strati- graphical relationships of this bed are clearly with the Janjukian or Miocene, and somewhat near the base of the series. Mr. Deane has described a branch with leaves, from Morning- ton, under the name of Eucalyptus prcscoriacca* Fossil leaves are fairly abundant in several outcrops south' of Mornington, and the following genera, amongst others, have been noticed by Mr. R. A. Keble and myself : — Nephelites, Tristanites, {?) Eucalyptus, Apocynophyllnm, Mollinedia, and Lomatia. This assemblage has a close ai^nity to the Berwick flora, although the sediments in which they are preserved are somewhat different, the latter being more argillaceous or less sandy. The Morwell Brown Coal. — In the Alberton and Latrobe Valley areas there are immense thicknesses of this accumula- tion of forest debris, one of the seams exceeding 800 feet in thick- ness. The catchment area for the rafts of timber pouring down from the storm-riven forests of the highlands was con- tinually sinking under the superimposed weight. .A. curious point requiring explanation is the purity of the deposit, and we can only conjecture that the silt and gravel was dropped before reaching the main area of deposition. From an ex- amination of many samples of the wood from the Morwell brown coal, I have elsewhere shown in a report submitted to the Victorian Geological Survey (but not yet pubhshed), that the wood is referable to the Cypress type of structure, and by comparison is almost identical with the Callitris cuprcssiformis, Ventenat, or Mountain Cypress Pine, still abundant in Victoria. The age of this deposit is not absolutely certain, but from comparative palaeogeographical evidence it seems not im- probable that the great subsidences involved in the formation of the deposits were contemporaneous with the crustal oscilla- tions which played so important a part in the building of the Miocene strata of Victoria ; and we may assume that, whilst the higher level river valleys were filled with lava, the extensive erosion taking place near the coast caused a sagging of the coast- hne and consequent accumulation of debris and vegetable matter. (To be continued.) Orchids. — The Gum Tree for December contains a chatty article by Miss Edith Coleman, of Blackburn, entitled " Forest Orchids," in which a number of our orchids are briefly described, while the Misses Dorothy and (iladys Coleman ha\-e contributed drawings of many of the species mentioned, unfortunately with- out much regard to proportion. ♦ Ibid., vol. i., part i, 1902, p. ^u. 120 Si'EXCER, Laud and Fresh-Waler Fauna. [ Vol' x'xx'v 1 1 . THE NECESSITY FOR AN IMMEDIATE AND CO- ORDINATED INVESTIGATION INTO THE LAND AND I-RESH-WATl'lR FAUNA OF AUSTRALIA AND TASMANIA. Bv Sir Baldwin Spencer. K.C.M.G., F.R.S., D.Sc. The matter of the investigation of the land and fresh-water fauna of AustraUa is one of pressing importance. From the purely taxonomic point of view the Imtanic record is probably more complete and satisfactory th;in the zoological. It is much more easy to collect and study plants than animals. The former cannot get out of your way, while it is a prhnary instinct of the latter to do so. It is very significant of what has taken place in regard to biological collecting in Austraha that tliert' is a notable Banksian botanical collection, but no such Banksian zoological one. The time lias come when it is miperative for us to make some organized attempt not only to take a census of our Austrahan fauna but to study it in its natural sur- roundings. Only those who have collected, more or less consistently, any special group of animals during the j^ast tv\'enty-five years realize to the full how rapidly our .\ustridian fauna is being exterminated. Not many years ago it was possible to go just a few miles out of Melbourne to collect animals now unprocurable. The opening up of the country has had far- reaching effects upon the whole fauna. The introduction of dogs, cats, rabbits, and foxes, quite apart from the havoc caused by man in clearing the country, has meant the exterm- ination of an appreciable part of the fauna. To lake only one example : th(; destruction of the scrub and forest in the valley of the Bass Riv^er has resulted in the complete extermina- tion of one of our most interesting marsupials, the little opossum-like Gymnobelidcw^ leadbeateri. There are actually only four specimens of this extant, and it is extremely unlikely, owing to its very iimited area of distribution, that any more will be found. To take another case in regard to lower but equally interesting forms : Some years ago a few of us inter- ested in natural history spent a day or two turning over logs «)n the Dandenong hills. In one day we secured nc^ less tlian thirteen species of land })lanarians, together with plentiful specimens of Peripatus and Geoneim-rtes, the land nemertine. Searching the same spots recently, we found only a vi-ry few- specimens of two species of planarJans, no F(Tipatus, and no Geonemertes. Settlement and bush-fin^s are interfering disastrously with the land and fresh- water fauna, and yet it is perhaps the most interesting in an\' part of the world. Important as is the study of the marine fauna, \\v nmst. from a scientific j)oint of view, realize very dearly llie fa( t that ''^"''■•I Spencer. Land and Fresh-Water Fauna. ■l2'i this will ever be with us, and we can investigate it at our leisure ; Init the land and fresh-water fauna is disappearing rapidly, and unless we now muke an organized effort it \v\\\ be too late to study it effectually, and future generations will wonder what manner of people we were not to leave behind us some adequate record of the marvellously interesting forms of animal Hfe which we had succeeded in exterminating. It is, however, right to mention that there is one group of animals^the birds — whose fascinating interest has resulted in attracting the attention of many naturalists from the time of Lewin and Gould down to the present, dviring which we have gained, thanks to the work of Mr. H. L. \\'hite. Captain S. A. White, .Messrs. A. J. North, A. J. Campbell, and others, a fairly complete knowledge of the avifauna of xAustralia. To the generosity of Mr. H. L. White the Melbourne Museum is indebted for the gift of his great collection. There are two or three records dealing with the land fauna that may be referred to as affording examples of the class of work required to be done, apart from simple collecting. Mr. Krefft published an account of the vertebrate animals that he had met with on the Murray River. He not only enumerates the different species, but gives us some account of their manner of life. In this journal, the Virtorian Naturalisi — the leading one of its kind in Austraha^ — there are to be found admirable examples of the class of work needed. To mention only a few typical ones, we have Mr. Gerald Hill's paper on the Ufe-history and habits of the case-moth, Mr. J. A. Kershaw's account of the burrow and " nesting " of Platypus, the late Mr. J. Booth's account of the habits of Petaurus in captivity, and the papers of Messrs. J. Shephard and J. Searle on the fresh-water fauna. PcThaps, however, the best example is the delightful work by the late Mr. Geoffrey Smith, entitled " A Naturalist in Tasmania." Most unfortunately, a great part of failnistic work in Aus- tralia has been done by foreigners, owing to the enlightened generosity of patrons of science in Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. In early days Sir William Macleay was most generous in the endowment of natural history investigations : but, apart from him and Mr. W. A. Horn, who equipped his expedition to Central Australia, wealthy .\ustralians have done but little to further the study of our fauna and flora. The careful investigation of the fauna, whilst it requires a certain amount of endowment, is dependent still more upon the work of those who, in their own localities, are able and willing to devote their time to such work. To take one example only. It should be; possible to organize in Tasmania a number of workers, each, or in groups, responsible foi- tli<' ^tud\- of one 122 Spencer, Land and Fresh-Wafer Fauna. [v.^'xxxvii or more particular forms of animal life, collecting them and noting (as far as possible) their habits, either personally identifying and describing them or forwarding them to some central authority. How essential it is that this work should be undertaken immediately may be realized from a report just issued, which states that last season, in Tasmania alone, 98,186 kangaroos, 93,103 wallabies, 16,244 black opossums, 40,041 grey opossums, and 274,534 ring-tailed opossums were destroyed. This ruthless extermination of the most inter- esting fauna in the world is simply appalling. I would like to enter a strong protest against the sending to Europe of collections that can well be descrilied out here. It has meant, for example — and most unfortunately so in the case of many Western Australian mammals — that the type specimens arc in London instead of Perth. We are quite as competent to describe and take care of Austrahan type speci- mens in our National Museums as are our colleagues in Europe, and I trust the time may soon come when it will be recognized that this is so, and that their natural home is in the museums of Austraha. Meanwhile we need some organization to provide for the systematic working out of our fauna and flora, and with this object in view the Biological Section of the Science Association, at its recent meeting, recommended the formation of an Inter-State Committee composed of representatives of all the various societies concerned with the study of natural history and the preservation of our flora and fauna, whose duty it would be to organize, each in its own State or locality, the carrying out of special investigations. In addition to those who have had a strictly scientific training, there are scores of able and enthusiastic field naturalists who could ably undertake some special study, confined, perhaps, but none the less valuable because of this, to some locality with which he or she is especially acquainted. National Museum, Melbourne, joth January, lyji. The " Austral Avian Record." — In the double number of this journal (vol. iv., Nos. 4 and 5, issued i6th December) thirtv-fivc pages are devoted to the completion of the " Name- list of Australii'n lairds " already noticed in the December Naturalist. The list offers many oppcn'tunities to i)ird-lovers to relearn both specific and vernacular names for their favourites, some of which will hardly be recognized in their latest christen- ings. An article is devoted to some early paintings of Australian birds by forgotten artists, and reference is made to General Davies, (ividcntly one of the earliest students of AustraliaTi ornithologv. A re-arrangement of the snipe and sandpipers will alsft afforrl points for discussion to the systematist. Cbe Uictorian naturalise Vol. XXXVII.— No. 11. MAECH 10, 1921. No. 447. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 14th February, 1921. Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., one of the vice-presidents, occupied the chair. Owing to traffic restrictions consequent on the strike, only about thirty members and visitors were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mrs. J. Atkinson, Longford, Tasmania, stating that her husband, Mr. E. D. Atkinson, C.E., an hon. member of the Club, had died on 25th October last. The chairman stated that this was the first intimation he had heard of Mr. Atkinson's death. Mr. Atkinson had been an ardent worker among the fossils of the Table Cape beds (Tas- mania), and he had been in communication with him on palaeontological matters only a few months ago. He moved that a letter conveying the Club's sympathy be forwarded to Mrs. Atkinson. This was seconded by Mr. C. Daley, B.A., and carried. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard said that another hon. member of the Club, Capt. Thomas Broun, had died in Auckland in August, 1919. He was an authority on New Zealand coleoptera, and the obituary notice in the last volume of the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute was the first notice of the death he had seen. On the motion of Messrs. Daley and Barnard, a resolution of sympathy was carried unanimously. REPORTS. A report of the visit to the Botanic Gardens on Saturday, 15th January, was given by Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who said that a large party of members had spent an interesting afternoon under the guidance of the Director, Mr. J. Cronin, F.R.H.S., who had kindly conducted the party through portions of the Gardens and pointed out notable trees, &c. The ramble , included a visit to the nursery and greenhouses, where many plants of special interest were seen. A report of the Foundation Day (29th-3ist January) ex- cursion, the locality of which had been altered from Erica to Walhalla, made under the leadership of Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., owing to the indisposition of the leader, Mr. J. Firth, was given by Mr. C. Daley, B.A., who said that, thougli the distance from town (106 miles) was great for so short a time, the outing was greatly enjoyed by the party of eight. The 124 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [voT'xxxvil. most noticeable feature was the fine display made by the Sunshine Wattle, Acacia discolor, on the hills around Walhalla. A report of the visit to the Zoological Gardens on Saturday, I2th February, was given by Mr. F. Pitcher, who said tliat the Director, Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., had met the meml)crs, but, after inspecting portion of the Gardens, owing to the great heat, had invited the members to adjourn to his office, where a pleasant hour or so was spent in viewing and remarking on his varied collection of natural history specimens, &c. Mr. Le Souef had kindly provided afternoon tea, and he desired to move a vote of thanks to him for his hospitality. This was seconded by Mr. A. Keep, and carried unanimously. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. On a ballot being taken, Mr. Wm. Howat, 45S William-street, Melbourne, and Dr. G. ^FCallum, 454 St. Kilda-road, IMel- bourne, were duly elected as ordinary members of the Club. GENERAL BUSINESS. The chairman said that, in view of the heavy increase in the cost of publishing the Naturalist, the committee had pro- posed that an exhibition of natural history specimens and microscopical objects, open to the public by payment, be held early in June next, with the view of establishing a publisliing fund, to which it was also hoped memliers able to do so would contribute. Several members spoke in support of the suggestion, and it was resolved, on the motion of Messrs. H. B. WiUiamson and P. C. Morrison, that the proposal receive the full support of the members. The acting hon. secretary said that a communication had been received from the ]\Iount Buffalo Park Committee stating that grazing licences for the Buffalo plateau would not be renewed for 1021. REMARKS ON EXHIBITS. Remarks on their exhibits were given by Messrs. Chapman, Cudmtjre, Morrison, and Tadgell. NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. Dr. Sutton said that he had recently witnessed an attack liy a wasp on the larva of a cut-worm moth, which, though many times larger and heavier than the wasp, had been carried off by the wasp to its underground nest near the base of an elm tree. Messrs. F. Spry and C, F'rench added further details of the life-history of the wasp. Mr. J. Searlc gave an interesting account of a small black spider which had spun a web over the nest of an ant, Plicidolc, ^l^l'A Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 125 sp. An ant coming in contact with the web was at first caught, and held, but on the spider trying to secure tlic ant it was itself caught and carried off. Mr. E. Cox referred to his recent experience while fishing in the Goulburn River, near Nagambie, when he had taken several Cat-fish, Copidiglanis tandanns, Mitch., in the river, whereas he had hitherto taken them only in the lagoons. Mr. W. Ingram gave an account of his observations on the flight of a pair of Flying Phalangers at Marysville. EXHIBITS. By Mr. F. Chapman, A. L.S.— Flexible sandstone, from Delhi, India ; de-vitrified bottle glass and window glass, from great fire at Chicago, 1871 ; perlitic structure in Canada Balsam. By Mr. E. Cox. — Nodules of iron pyrites and gypsum from Torquay, Victoria. By Mr. F. Cudmore. — ^Limestone, with shells and corals of Janjukian age, from Ooldea and Watson, on the East-West railway, South Australia ; several unusually large specimens of Ancilla, sp., from the Turritella bed at Table Cape, Tas- mania ; Janjukian fossils from the lower bed at Table Cape— viz., Thamnastraa sera, Duncan, a large fossil coral character- istic of the Janjukian formation ; palate teeth of the extinct shark, Asteracanthus eoccenicus, Tate, sp. ; teeth of extinct shark, Carcharodon auriculatus, Agg, sp. ; rostral tooth of Pristis Cudmorei, Chapman, first record for Tasmania — all collected in January last ; rostrum of a recent saw-fish, Pristis, sp., and of Pristis Cudmorei, Chap., from the Kalimnan of Beau- maris, Victoria, collected 1913 — first record south of equator. By Miss C. C. Currie. — -Photograph of a bunch of the Spotted Orchid, Dipodinin piinclatum, gathered at Lardner ; also photo- graph of nest of Striated Tit-Warbler, Acanthiza lincata, situated in a flower-garden near a house — a most unusual position. By Mr. P. C. Morrison. — Photographs of Grass-trees, Xanthorrhrca Tateana, taken at Kangaroo Island, South Aus- tralia ; specimens of grass-tree resin, commonly known as " yacca gum " or " gum acaroidcs," from Kangaroo Island ; Lamp Shell, Magellania ftnvescens, and seven species of Cliiton, from Kangaroo Island. By Mr. A. L. Scott. — -Molybdenite, from Everton, Victoria ; micro-slide and hand specimen of basalt, from Darebin ("reek. By Mr. F. P. Spry. — -Specimen and nest of Potter Wasp, Eumenes hicincta, Sauss., from Broadmeadows. By Mr. A. J. 'Tadgell. — Specimen of Stick-case Caterpillar, Giketicus {Metura) clon^atus, which was found to have " walked " thirty-five feet from the rose-bush from which it cut the sticks 126 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [^ Vict. Nat. ol. XXXVII. that form its case — assuming the " steps" of the catcipillar to measure an eighth of an inch, and comparing them with the paces of an ordinary walker, this distance would be fully equal to one and a half miles ; three species of plants mentioned in Mr. Williamson's notes on Victorian plants {V'id. Nat., May, 1919) as plants of which there is no record of their having been collected in Victoria, and of which there are no Victorian specimens in the National Herbarium — viz., Oreomyrrhis piil- vinifica, F. v.^M., Cushion Carraway, and Azorella Muelleri, Benth., Pennywort Azorella, both collected on Mount Hotham, and Lycopodium Selago, Linn., Fir Club-moss, collected near Mount St. Bernard, Australian Alps (specimens of all of these have been presented to the National Herbarium) ; Gratiola Peruviana-pmnila, from Healesville ; Verbena officinalis, L., Common Vervain, and the introduced Vervain, V. bonari- ensis, a native of South America, from T'erntree Gully-Gembrook railway ; two forms of plants changed by distortion of sap — viz., Plantago lanceolata, Rib Grass, and Sovchus oleoraccns, Sow Thistle. By Mr. L. Thorn. — Case of butterflies, containing twenty Victorian species, ten from New Guinea, and six from Ceylon. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. The late Hon. Sir Frank Madden, K.B.— On the 17th February there passed away, in his 75th year, Sir iMank Madden, who was elected an ordinary member of the Club in December, 1902. Though his interests were always in sympathy with the objects of the Club, owing to official duties, and latterly to ill health, he had not taken an active part in its meetings. He was a close observer of nature, as indicated in a paper, " Notes on the Ibis" [Vict. Nat., xix., p. 72, September, i()()2), which he forwarded to the Club through Mr. (i. A. Keartland before his election. In this he called attention to the invalu- able benefit to farmers and graziers of the Ibis family as insect destroyers. He was an authority on the cultivation of grasses, and as chairman of the Studley Park Trust was zealous in his endeavour to preserve the natural beauty of the Park. Among his colleagues on the Trust arc two other members of the Ineld Naturalists' Club — viz., Mr. J. Cronin, Director of the Botanic Gardens, and Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, as a representative of the Kew Town Council. Australian Forest League. — At a recent mec ting of the Council of the Australian Forest - League it was decided that " the protection of the native; llora and faima generally " be added to the official aims and objects of the League, ^!g2i''] Chapman, Geological History Australian Plants. 127 A SKETCH OF THE GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF AUS- TRALIAN PLANTS : THE CAINOZOIC FLORA. By Frederick Chapman, A.L.S., &c.. Palaeontologist to the National Museum, Melbourne. (With three plates.) (^Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, iT,th Dec, 1920.) {Continued from page 119.) New South Wales Flora of Tertiary Age. — ^This has been chiefly described by Ettingshausen.* In most cases the determinations arc based on a comparison with living Austrahan types of leaves, but others are referred to types of the European flora, and these have been generally questioned by Henry Deane.f An older Tertiary flora, probably Miocene in age, occurs in the leaf- beds in ferruginous sandstone and clay at Dalton, near Gunning, New South Wales. Ferns are represented by Pteris Humei, and there are also generic forms referable to Fagus, Cinnamomum, Apocynophyllum, Pittpsporum, and Fucalyphis. Besides these, Ettingshausen described other genera of extra-Austrahan types, but, as Deane has already pointed out, there is a strong element of doubt concerning their true affinities, and some revisional work upon them appears to be required. It may here, however, be pointed out that the flora, as a whole, one of the richest Tertiary assemblages, bears a singular hkeness to that of the " brush " type of vegetation seen at Berwick and Maddingley, in Victoria. The Deep Leads of Vegetable Creek and Elsmore, New South Wales, contain a flora in part as old as the Berwick facies, such forms as Eucalyptus Houtmanni, E. Mitchelli, and Fagus Mueller i apparently being common to both.} At the Warrambungle Mountains there is a diatomaceous deposit interbedded with trachytic tuff containing leaves of Cinnamomum Leichhardti, Ett., determined by W. S. Dun, whilst Deane has described quite a number of leaves of the Older Tertiary type, § referred to the genera Cryplocarya, Endiandra, Anopierus, Eyonsiccphyllum, Coprosmccphyllum, and Grevillea, together with a fern, Pteris abbrcviata. Queensland Plant-Beds of Early or Middle Tertiary Age. — * " ("ontrilmtions to the Tertiary Flora of Australia," Mem. Gcol. Surv. N.S.W. : Pahcont., No. 2, 1888 (translated from Denkschr. Math.- Naturw. k. Akad. Wi.ss. Wien, 1886, vol. liii.) t Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales, 1900, pp. 463-475 ; il)id., 1901, pp. 581-590. \ See Kttingshauscn's Memoir above quoted, part 2. § Records Geol. Surv. N.S. Wales, vol. vii., part 3, 1903, p. 231 ; and vol. viii., part 3, 1907, p. 187. 128 Chapman. Geological History Australian Playiis. [voT.'xx^^vii. These are situated between Darra and Oxley, near Brisbane. They consist of fine whitish to yellow argihaceous sands, passing down into sandstone and grits ; they rest on an eroded surface of the Ipswich beds.* Skertchley regarded them as " very old Eocene (Laramie beds)." From their general facies, however, one concludes that they are the equivalent of the typical leaf- beds of the older series of Tertiaries in other States. Shirley has described from these beds leaves which he refers to Sapindiis oxleycnsis, Ficns suhsycamoriis, and Myrica siib- salicina.-f The most extensive piece of work upon this plant- bed has, however, been published by PLttingshausen in a work entitled " Beitrage zur Kenntniss der Kreidefiora Austrahens,"J in which he describes 64 species of fossil plants. Such genera as Banksia, Cinnamomitm, Dicmenia, and Eucalyptus can be reasonably accepted, but others, as Querctis, may be open to question. Ettingshausen places the horizon in the Cretaceous series, but the presence of well-advanced types of eucalypts and many of the genera and species found in Mid-Tertiary beds elsewhere in Austraha, exclude it from so old a formation as the Cretaceous. In this memoir Ettingshausen refers to Darra as Warragh, a misnomer which also enters into his specific references. The species oi Apocynophyllum here recorded recall those of the Victorian Tertiary flora. Travertine Lake Deposits near Hobart, Tasmania. — The com- pact travertine limestone of Risdon, Geilston, Sandy Bay, and other localities near the mouth of the River Derwent contains beautifully-preserved impressions of fossil leaves and fruits. § From these beds we may cite Araucarites, sp., Notofagus Risdoniana, Cinnamomum Woodwardi, Lomatia prcelongi folia, Coprosma pracuspidifolia, and Apocynophyllum, sp. The Inilk of the flora has been dealt with by Ettingshausen, || but, as with the New South Wales fossils, the list apparently requires some revision. Tertiary Plants of South Australia. — The dicotyledonous floras of the Lakes Eyre and Tcjrrens districts also bear close resemblance to the Maddingley, Berwick, and Vegetable Creek plant-remains, and they arc, without doubt, fairly well dev(;loped as a Tertiary flora.^ The list of plant-remains, with localities given by Tate and Watt, are as under: — ♦ See Skertchley, Queensland Naturalist, vol. i., No. 2, June, 1908, p. 51 ; also id., ibid., vol. i., No. i, March, 1908, p. 28 ct sec/, (map). t Geol. Surv. Queensland, Bull. No. 7: Additions to the Fossil Mora of Queensland. + Denkschr. Math.-Naturwiss. k. Ak. Wien, vol. Ixii., 1894. § Johnston, Proc. Koy. Soc. Tas. for 1873, pp. 34-48 ; id., ibid., for 1879, pp. 81-90. II " Contr. Tert. Flora Australia," 1888. ^ See Ettingshausen's memoir above cjuoted, part 2. fg^i'l Chapman, Geological History Australian Plants. 129 Magnolia Brownii, Ett. Cinnamomum, sp. Apocynophylhim Mackinlayi, Ett. Bombax Sttirtii, Ett. Eucalyptus Diemcnii, Ett. . . Mitchelli, Ett. .. Banksia pragrandis, n. sp. . . Quercus Greyi, Ett. . . Lake Frome. William Creek. Arcoona. Elizabeth River. Arcoona. Elizal)eth River. Bottle Hill. Elizabeth River, Ar- coona, and Wyeculuna. „ Wilkinsoni, Ett. . . . . Wyeculuna. Alnus Muelleri, Ett. . . . . Wyeculuna. Flora of the Deep Leads. —The old alluvial beds of the Vic- torian, Tasmanian, and New South Wales river-systems probably date from the Miocene ; they are notably those of Vegetable Creek, New South Wales, and Hoddle's Creek and Pitfield Plains, in Victoria From the latter locahty a fairly old flora has been previously referred to (see antea, p. 48). The alluvials of the Dargo High Plains may be regarded as part of the Miocene Deep Lead system. The above deposits are probably contemporaneous with the " Older Gold Drift " of Victoria.* Others, however, as Haddon, Nintingbool, Tanjil River, Smythe's Creek, Eldorado, Beaufort, and Creswick, are of later age, probably Lower Pliocene. Many of these leads lie at a depth of 100 to 150 feet below the present ground-level. From the presence of gravels and great quantities of wash- dirt, it is safe to conclude that the area was once elevated to many hundreds of feet above sea-level, and also that the climate was then much moister than at present. In all probability the age of the generality of the Deep Leads was Lower Phocene, although, as previously noticed, the river systems commenced to grave their courses on the peneplain much earher (Miocene), and continued to exist into early Pleistocene times. The chief fossil remains in the Deep Leads are fruits of shrubs and trees resembling those now living, as Capparis and Pittosporum, with coniferous fruits as Callitris and occasional wood-fragments or trunks of trees having affinities to the latter genus. Leaves of Eucalyptus pluti, M'Coy, also occurred at Daylesford in the Deep Leads, a species allied to the living E. globulus (Blue Gum). The following fruits were determined from the Deep Leads by Baron von Mueller.f who considered the flora to indicate a more equable, warmer, and moister chmate. They arc : — * For a discussion on the age of tliese " drifts " see the valuable paper lately jjublished by R. H. Walcott — " Evidence of the Age of Some Australian Gold Drifts," &c. — Rec. Geol. Survey N.S.W., vol. ix., pt. 2, 1920, pp. 66-97. t Geol. Surv. Vict., 'Observations on New Vegetable Fossils of the Auriferous Drifts, 1874" ; also second decade, 1883. 130 Chapman, Geological History Australian Plants, [vol'xxxvu. Celyphina Maccoyi. Conchotheca roiundata. ,, turgid a. Die line phtriovidata. Odontocaryon Macgrcgorii. Penteune Clarkei. ,, brachyclinis. ,, trachyclinis. Phymatocaryon angular e. ,, Mackayi. Platycoila Snllivani. Pleioclinis Couchmani. ,, Shepherdi. Plesiocapparis prisca. Rhytidotheca Lynchei. Spondylostrobiis Sniythi. Thamnalocaryon Maclcllani. Xylocaryon Locki. At Spring Hill Central Leads, Victoria,* a bone of a crocodile, probably Pallimnarchiis pollens, identified by C. W. De Vis, was discovered at a depth of 295 feet. This deposit also yielded to Mr. Bale the following diatoms : — Campylodisciis bicostaliis, Surirella kergnelenensis, Epithemia zebra, E. gibba, Synedra nlna, vars., Diatomella Balfouriana, Hantschia amphioxys, Cocconeis placentula, Gomphonema gracile, Pinniilaria dislin- giienda, P. divergens, Navictda lanta, N. cuspidata (craticular form), N. radiosa, var. tenella, Diploneis elliptica, D. major, and (?) ChcBtoceros. The genus Campylodisciis suggests estuarine influence. This diatomaceous deposit links up with the Pleistocene Diatomite found at Talbot, in Victoria, and at Cooma, Barraba, and the Richmond River in New South Wales. Prof. Ewart has determined a fragment of fossil wood, found in a mine at Deep Creek, near Daylcsford, at a depth of .500 feet, as agreeing very closely with Acacia mclanoxylon (Blackwood). f Redruth Ironstone. — An ironstone, pro])ably of the same age as the Deep Leads, was found at Rixlruth, near Casterton ; it contained an impression of a bird's feather, J along with which are good imprints of Eucalyptus leaves of the E. amygdalina (Narrow-leaved Peppermint) type, and also Banksia leaves, indistinguishable from the living B. viarginala, Cavanilles. Fossil Wood in the Bairnsdale Gravels. — A great deal of the old fossil flora of the Miocene and Pliocene forests of Victoria, ♦See Hunter, S., " Tlic Deep Leads of \ictoria," Mt-in. (itol. Siirv. Vict.. No. 7, 1909, pp. (>, 7. t Vict. Nnl., vol. xxxiii., 1916, p. 70. J Chapman, Proc. Kov. ^nr. Vict, (n.s.), vol. xxiii., jtart 1, ic;I(j, pp. 21-26. pis. iv. and v. ^l^.l['] Chapman, Geological History Australian Plants. 131 notably in East Gippsland, has been preserved in the form of sihcified tree-trunks. These occur in a more or less water- worn condition, mingled with the gravels of the Bairnsdale to Orbost area. Two of these ancient forms of trees have been identified by the writer * as Eucalyptus cf. melliodora, Cunning- ham (Yellow Box), from Bruthen, and E. aff. piperita, Smith (Peppermint Gum), from Mallacoota Inlet. Their microscopic structure is wonderfully preserved, although occasionally broken down by chalcedonic crystallization, probably where the tissue was already partially decayed when petrifaction took place. Newer Volcanic Tuffs with Leaves and Fruits. — At Warrnam- bool volcanic tuff occurs, containing impressions of Eucalyptus leaves. There is a fine block of this exhibited in the galleries of the National Museum. In the scoria ceous tuff of Mount Gambler, South Austraha, some exceptionally well preserved fern-fronds of Pteridium aquilinmn (Bracken) and leaves of Banksia marginata (Silver Banksia) were found, the occurrence of P. aquilinum in these prehistoric beds proving its claim as an indigenous and not an imported plant. An indul^itable impression of the end of a Casuarina cone (near ('. stricta) in lava from Yandoit Hill has recently been described in the pages of this journal. f This is another remarkable instance showing how slowly the heat from the lava escapes when in contact with hgneous material like plant-stems and woody fruits. Diatomaceous Deposits of Pleistocene Age. — These occur, as a rule, filling up depressions in the basalt flows of late Tertiary age, or else interbedded between intermittent flows ; in other cases they are found, generally in an impure state, in back- waters of creeks covered by river silt. The best-known locali- ties are, in Victoria, at Talbot, Craigieburn, Sebastopol, Port- land, Lancefield, and South Yarra ; in New South Wales, at Cooma, Barraba, and the Richmond River ; in Queensland, at Pine Creek. The genera, except in the case of South Yarra, are of the well-known fresh-water types, Mclosira, Navicula, Cymhella, Synedra, Tabellaria, Stauroneis, and Gomphoncma being best represented, and there are usually present spicules of the fresh-water sponge, Spongilla. The localitiis have been excellently summarized for Victoria by Mr. D. J. Mahony.J Till! writer has lately found the remains of a fresh-water alga, apparently referable to Cladophora, in the Richmond River deposit, and Von Mueller has already described seeds, * Id., ibid., vol. xx.xi., part i, IQ18, pp. 172-175. t Vict. Naturnlisl. vol. xxxi., iQi-t, ]). 89. I Bull. Geol. Surv. Vict., No. 2(>, lyu. 132 Chapman, Geological History Australian Planfs. [voi.'xxxvii which he named Liversidgea oxyspora, and remains of Ptcris from the same beds.* Thus closes my very cursory glance over one of the niost fruitful and useful fields of research for Australian workers. t It will be seen that our pahTobotany has not been entirely neglected, but as yet the ground has only been ploughed in certain promising areas, a preparation of fallowing which w'ill surely produce good palaeobotanical crops to be harvested by the comJng generations of students of ancient plant-life. Explanation to the Plates in Illustration of This and THE Two Foregoing Papers of the Series. Plate 6. — Pal.eozoic Plants. Fig. I. — Girvanclla conjcrta, Chapman. Silurian (Veringian). Tj'crs River, Gippsland. x 35. Fig. 2. — Bythotrephis divaricata, Kidston. Silurian. Walhalla, Gipps- land. Half nat. size. Fig. 3. — Haliscriics Dcchenianiis, Goppert. Silurian. Thomson River, Gippsland. Nat. size. Fig. 4. — Sph(Brocodium ^ippslandicum, Chapm. Middle Devonian. Mitta Mitta River, Gippsland. x 7. Fig. 5. — Lepidodendron australe, McCoy (Leaf-cushions). Carboniferous. Queensland. x 3/2. Fig. 6. Archaopteris Wilkinsoni, Feistmantel. Carboniferous. Stroud, New South Wales. Nat. size. Fig. 7. — Cordaites australis, McCoy. Upper Devonian. Iguana Creek, Victoria. Half nat. size. Fig. 8. — Rhacoptcris intermedia, Feistmantel. Carboniferous. Port Stephen, New South Wales. Nat. size. Fig. 9. Gan^amoptcris cyclopieroides, Feistm. Carbo-lVrinian. Bacchus Marsh, Vict. Half nat. size. Fig. 10. — Glossoptcris Browniana. Brongn. Carbo-Permian. New South Wales. Half nat. size. Fig. II. — Phyllntheca Eiheridgei, Arbev. Carbo-Pcrmian. New South Wales. Two-thirds nat. size. Fig. 12. — Rcinachia australis, Bertrand. Carbo-Permian. New South Wales. X 5Q2. Plate 7.— Mesozoic Plants. Fig. I .—Phyllothcca Hookcri, McCoy. Rhaetic. New South Wales. Nat. size. Fig. 2. Thinnfeldia ndniilnpternidcs, Morris, sp. Trias. New South Wales. Nat. size. Fig. 3. TcBniopteris Daintrcei, McCoy. Jura.ssic. Gippsland. Nat. size. Fig. ^.—Sphcnopteris ampla. McCoy. Jurassic. Gii)i>sland. Nat. size. Fig! s^.—Cladophlcbis australis. Morris, sp. Jurassic. Gippsland. Nat. size. Fig. 6. Slcnoptcris elongata, Carruthcrs, sp. Ipswich series, Queensland. Nat. size. • Journ. and Proc. Roy. Soc. N.S. Wales, vol. x. (1876), 1877, p. 239. + For Parts I. and H. (Paljcozoic and Mesozoic), sec this journal, vol. xxxiv.. January, 1918, p. 140, and vol. xxxv., lejjruary. 1919, p. 148. THE VICTORIAS XATl'RALIST. \'ol. XXWIT March, 1921. Plate 6. 1'. CH.M-JIA.V, del. AUoTRALlAN PAL/EOZOIC PLANTS. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, Vol. XXXVII. March, 1921. Plate 7. !•'. t'HAl'MAX, del. AUSTRALIAN MESOZOIC PLANTS. THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. Vol. XXXVII. March, 1921. Plate 8. K. CHAI-MAN, '/' AUSTRALIAN CAINOZOIG PLANTS. Mar., 1 Cuwsixyi, Geological History Australian Plants. 133 Fig. 7. — Phceiiicopsis elongatiis, Morris, sp. Jurassic. Tasmania. Nat. size. Fig. 8. — Ginkgo digitata, Brongn., sp. Ipswich series, Queensland. Circ. two-thirds nat. size. Fig. 9. — Stachyopitys, sp. (? male flower of Ginkgoales). Trias. Queens- land. Nat. size. Fig. 10. — Ptilnphyllmn pecten, Phillips, sp. Trias. Queensland. Nat. size. Fig. II. — Taxites planus, Feistm. Jurassic (Walloon ser.) Queensland. Nat. size. Fig. 12. — Brachyphyllum gippslandicum, McCoy. Jurassic. Gippsland. X 3- Fig. 13. — ? Celastrophylliim, sp. Neocomian. Styx Bore, Queensland. Nat. size. Plate 8. — Cainozoic Plants. Fig. I. — Liversidgea oxyspora, Mueller (seed). Pleistocene or Late Tertiary. Richmond River, N.S. Wales. x 5. Fig. 2. — Ptcris abbreviata, Deane. Tertiary. Elsmore, New England, N.S. Wales. Nat. size. Fig. 3. — Fagtis (Notofagiis) Maideni, Deane. Tertiary. Berwick. Nat. size. Fig. 4. — Ncphelites Ulrichi, Deane. Tertiary. Pitfield Plains, Vict. Nat. size. Fig. 5. — Casuarina, sp. Tertiary. Sentinel Rock, Cape Otw-ay, Vict. Nat. size. Fig. 6. — Cinnamotnum polymorphoides, McCoy. W. of Maddingley, Vict. Nat. size. Fig. 7. — Tristanites angustifolia, Deane. Tertiary. Berwick. Nat. size. Fig. 8. — Eucalyptus Mitchelli, Ettingsh. Tertiary. Berwick. Nat. size. Fig. 9. — Eucalyptus Kitsoni, Deane. Tertiary. Berwick. Nat. size. Fig. 10. — Coprosmeephylhim angustifolium , Deane. Tertiary. Sentinel Rock, C. Otway, Vict. Nat. size. Fig, II. — Banksia myriccefolia, Ettingshausen. Tertiary. Vegetable Creek, N.S. Wales. Nat. size. Fig. 12. — Spondylostrobus Smythi, Mueller. Tertiary Deep Leads. Haddon, Vict. Nat. size. The late Capt. Thomas Broun. — The Transactions of the New Zealand Institute for 1920 record the death, at Auckland, N.Z., in August, 1919, at the age of 81, of Capt. T. Broun, who was elected an hon. member of the Club in July, 1883. He was of Scottish origin, and, after being engaged in the Indian Mutiny, arrived in New Zealand in 1863, and saw some service in the Maori War. Devoting his attention to entomology as a hobby, he became the recognized authority on New Zealand beetles, and his " Manual of the Coleoptera of New Zealand," issued in 1880, and continued by supplementary parts, is a standard work. For several years he filled the position of Government Entomologist of New Zealand. He was a genial companion, with a fund of anecdote, and a worker up to the last. / 1 7 A Note'; r ^''-''- ^'"■ ^34 i\uieb. LVol. XXXVIl. The late Mr. E. D. Atkinson. — By the death of Mr. E. D. Atkinson, who passed away at Hobart on 25th October, 1920, Tasmania has lost a notable geologist and one of its most industrious collectors of fossils, while the Field Naturalists' Club has lost an honorary member of long standing. He was a Yorkshireman by birth, and was connected with the Tas- manian Railways both at Waratah and Sulphur Creek. Together with his son, R. N. Atkinson (who was accidentally killed whilst cleaning a militar\' rifle about seven years ago), Mr. Atkinson spent his leisure time in searching the rich fossil beds of Table Cape. The results are to be found in the many choice and new specimens described and included in the col- lections of the National Museum, Melbourne, and in the museums of other States. He and his son had keen eyes for not only the larger fossils, as Cetaceans and Volutes, but also for the minutest ; for as long ago as 1912 the writer commenced to investigate the relationsliips of a microscopic fossil received from them, of which the publication has unfortunately been delayed till now, and which has been named Shcrbornina Atkinsoni, gen. et sp. nov. In an appreciation of Mr. E. D. Atkinson in the Lannceston Examiner we read : — " So, working, plodding, and collecting, and fighting all the common affairs of life, successfully filling an official position, and yet finding time to learn more of the history of Tasmania in Miocene time than perhaps any man in Australia, friend Atkinson completed his allotted span of life, and is now left to us as a memory of a good neighbour, a just and hard-working officer in various offices, a staunch friend, and withal^ the holder of the proudest title that man can covet — a gentleman. "^ — F. C. " A Manual of the Birds of Australia." — ^Messrs. H. F. and G. Witherby will publish immediately tlie first volume of the above work, edited by (iregory I\I. Mathews (author of "The Birds of Australia") and Tom In-dale. It will be very fully illustrated with coloured and monochrome plates. The Morialta Falls Reserve, S.A. — ^The last annual report of the Director of National Pleasure Resorts f)f Soutli Australia contains an account of the work done at the Morialta lalls Re- serve, situated in the Mount Lofty Ranges, al)out seven miles north-east of Adelaide. The reserve contains a very fine gorge with cliffs rivalling those of the famous Werribee Gorge. Two miles of pathways have been cut, with rustic bridges here and there. Large numbers of native trees and shrubs have been planted to reclothc the slopes denuded before the reserve was acquired by the (jovernment, and garden lieds, gay with flowering pkints, have been introduced in certain positions. Be'ng so near Adelaide, it is largely visited on Sundays and holidays. Cbe Uictorian naturalist. Vol. XXXVII.— No. 12. APRIL 7, 1921. No. 448. FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. The ordinary monthly meeting was held at the Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 14th March, 192 1. . The president, Mr. J. Gabriel, occupied the chair, and about fifty members and friends were present. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr. R. \V. Armitage, M.Sc, resigning his position as hon. secretary owing to pressure of other work. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. G. Coghill, that the resigna- tion be accepted with regret. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard consented to act as hon. secretary until tlie annual meeting in June. REMARKS ON EXHIBITS. Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., referred to his exhibit of wind- polished polyzoal limestone, from Torquay, and explained how tlie condition was produced. Mr. F. G. A. Barnard called attention to his exhibit of a plant of the fern Botrychium ternatum, Swtz., Moonwort. The fern is a deciduous one, and usually sends up its new frond or fronds (two) in the second week in February. Some seasons only a sterile frond is sent up ; in others both fertile and sterile fronds are produced. This year a frond appeared at the usual time, but was unfortunately eaten off — most probably by wood-lice, which have been very active this season, and are very fond of young fern-fronds. The plant has now produced a second growth, which appears as if it would develop into a pair of fronds. This plant was collected on a Club excursion in the Oakleigh district some thirty years ago, and has been exhibited in various stages on several previous occasions. Mr. H. B. Williamson referred to his exhibit of two new species of Pulteniea, which he had determined in working through the specimens of the genus at the National Herbarimu. PAPER READ. By Mr. J. W. Audas, F.L.S., entitled " Through the Balangum Ranges and at Rose's Gap (Grampians)." The author gave an interesting account of a visit paid to these localities in October last, when he was successful in securing new records for many plants, including several orchids. The paper was illustrated by a large series of dried specimens. Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., in remarking on tlu> plants noted b\' the uuthor, regretted that ^Fr. Audas had introduced X36 Field Naturalists' Club— Proceedings. [voi! xxxvii. vernacular names not adopted by the Plant Names Snb- comniittee ; the latter, he considered, shoidd be used in every case. EXHIBITS. By Mr. J. W. Audas, F.L.S. — Fifty-three species of dried plants from the Grampians in illustration of paper, including twenty-two species of orchids, four being new for Victoria — viz., Prcnophvlliim gracilc, Rogers, CalocJiihts paludosus, R. Br., Caladenia reticulata, Fitzg., and Thelymitra megcalyptra, Fitzg., and three new for south-west Victoria — viz., Prasophylliun odoratitm, Rogers, P. album, Rogers, and Microtis parvi flora. R. Br. ; also Pulteiicva costata, Williamson, and Tryvtaliuin ramosissimum, Audas, both new to science. By Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S. — Wind-polished poly/oal lime- stone, from Torqua\-. By Mr. F. Cudmore. — Two fossil fish from Upper Cretaceous of ^iount Lebanon, Syria ; specimens of an uncommon Cainozoic regular echinoid, Cn'lopleurus paucituhcrctilatus, Gregory, from Janjukian of Morgan, S.A. By Miss Cruickshank. — Spider orchid from Western .'\us- tralia, with sepals G inches in length. By Mr. C. French, jun. Introduced T(A7inX%, Opcrcularia ovata. Broad Stinkweed, and Linum gallicum, Yellow Max, collected at Lower Ferntree Gully. By Mr. T. Green. — Stereoscopic jilKjtographs of variotis flowers. By Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S. — Living and herbarium speci- mens of a rare Amaryllid, Calostcmma purpureum, R. Br., "Garland Lily," from Hattah, N.W. Victoria (collector, J. E. Dixon), the living flowers from cultivated plants. Examples of plant teratology — [a] Stylidiuvi graminifolium , Swartz, with a terminal cluster of flowering spikes ; [b) Syringa vulgaris, L., foliage showing two and three leaflets ; (c) Brunonia aus- tralis, Smith, with twin flowi-r-heads and very large floral bracts ; [d) Trijoliimi rcpctis, L., with four, five, and six leaflets instead of normally three ; (<') orchid, Acianlhus caudatus, R. Br., with two leaves, one centrally placed on stem. By Mr. A. J. Tadgell. Specimens of Tufted Knawel, Scleranthus diander, Twin-flowered Knawel, S'. bi/lorus, and Mossy Knawel, S. mniaroides (rare), all collected at Moiml Feathertop, at 5,800 feet, by exhibitor. By Mr. H. B. Williamson. — Specimens (if the n< \v Pultenfcas — P. costata, from Grampians, coll. C. Walter and C. hrench, jun., and P. rccurvifolia, from Portland, coll. Mr. Allitt - described by him in Proceedings Royal Society of Victoria, March, iq2i. After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. 102'!'] GouDiE, Three Anglers at the Murray. 137 THREE ANGLERS AT THE MURRAY. By J. C. GouDiE. {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, i2,th Sept., 1920.) Five hundred leagues the limpid waters flow Of mighty Murray, fed by Alpine snow. About the middle of December of last year our party of three left home on a 60-mile drive to the Murray, our intention being to camp for a few days amongst the fine Redi Gums which adorn the banks of our noblest river. The buggy was well loaded with camping outfit, including, of course, plenty of fishing tackle, as we intended to live by the rod during our stay. Passing Green Lake and Sea Lake (from which, especially the first-named, we have taken many a full creel of EngUsh Perch), our road lay north-easterly, crossing the southern arm of Lake Tyrrell, which was then a glittering white salt-pan, devoid of water, stretching away to the north as far as one could sec. The day was very hot, and a quivering mirage hung over the " lake," distorting the stunted clumps of Mallee and Paper- bark trees, so that they assumed weird, fantastic, and apparently moving shapes ; and it required little effort to imagine the shades of departed blackfellows holding corroboree on the shores of this desert lake.- Some years ago, during the wet seasons, Lake Tyrrell was a magnificent sheet of water, some fifty miles in circumference. Wild-flowers bloomed in profusion along the sandy banks, whilst on the flats acres of Mesembry- anthemum ("Pig-face") displayed a delightful colour-scheme of green and pink. Across Tyrrell Downs and the adjoining country, once marked on the map as " dense scrubs of Eticalyplns dnmosa," but now a vast undulating plain, relieved by clumps of Murray Pine, settlers' lumies, and strips of mallee along the roads, forming interminable avenues, whicli run north and south, east and west. This is typical " settled " Mallee country, extending almost to the banks of the Murray. Camping for the night at a shire dam, which was almost overgrown with tall Cumbungie reeds, we heard with surprise and delight the brisk, cheerful notes of the Reed Warbler. Resuming our way next morning, we kept a sharp look-out for further novelties, a link with the past appearing in a Mallee Fowl, which ran swiftly across the track into a patch of scrub. Other birds noted were Hk)ck-l)acked Magpies, foraging bands of Babl:)lcrs and Tliornbills, tlie White-face, Black-and- White Fantail, (ialali. Red-hacked, INfallee, and ("rimson-btllied Parrakcets. No matter how dry the season, these birds seem able to sustain themselves, and stick to their old haunts. In a clump of Myalls a ])air of Pied Honey-eaters was seen, these birds being quite new to us. Passing a big " goanna " basking 138 GouDlE, Three Anglers at the Murray. [voT.'xxxvil. on the road, wc shortly struck the Piaugil railway line, and, following this, were soon driving through the orange groves and vineyards of Nyah. Descending into the river valley, the track led through the Red Gums until, coming to a sheltered glade, we pitched the tent on the bank of the broad and placid Murray. Tlie river was low for the time of year, but the water was clear and soft, and made excellent tea. Lunch disposed of, the fishing taclcle was brought out — strong greenheart rods of 10 feet, reels holding 50 yards of Unen schnapper line, and a varied assort- ment of hooks and sinkers. Baiting with worm (which we had brought with us, as none are obtainable near the river), we cast well out, the bait swinging along the bottom with the current. There was no long waiting for bites, but vicious tugs, a quick movement of the butt, a few minutes' play with a taut line, and the fish would be gently drawn out on the sloping bank. In a couple of hours we had Cod and Perch sufficient for several meals. It is surprising how one's appetite improves on these camping-out trips. The high cost of Uving, the state of the crops, the latest strike are all forgotten, and a 5-lb. Murray Cod, fresh from the river, makes a dish fit for kings. A sound sleep on a couch of gum-leaves, and we were up at the first call of the Kookaburra for an early morning dip. We decided this day to try for Bream — a very handsome fish (jf fine quahty. Tlie Bream frequent comparatively shallow water near the sand-spits, while the Cod are mostly cauglit in tlie deep holes amongst the snags. Fresh-water shrimi)s arc a good bait for all Murray fish, and are easily procured. A kerosene tin is obtained, holes punched in the sides and bottom, and a skinned rabbit or mutton-bone placed therein and secured. A piece of rope is tied to the liandle, and the tin is sunk in the water near some log, &c., left tliere half an hour, then quickly drawn up, and you liave slirimps in plenty. On our way to the next bend in the river, where there was a good stretch of sandy beach, a likely spot for Bream, several Tiger Snakes were disturbed ; but, unless they actually disputed the right-of-way (whicli they seldom did), we found it the best policy to leave them ah me. There were so many of tliese reptilt;s that it seemed merely a waste of time to stop and kill them, for all tlie difference it would make in their number. After th(^ first day or two one gets used to tliem. Getting to work with the l-5ream tackle (which is mm li liner, with smaller hooks, than that used for Cod), we soon had vigorous bites, and the sport was fine indeed. Like the gallant Black Bream of the southern estuaries, the Murray Bream is a famous fighter, sometimes leaping clear of tlu; water, and Apnl.j (jovDiE, Three Anglers at the Murray. I39 careful handling is necessary to land them. While one of the party was playing a fine three-pounder, a Tiger Snake scuttled down the bank, passed between his feet, and slid into the river ; but the angler kept his line tight, and the fish was safely landed. Returning to camp with bulging fishing-bags, we noticed a flock of about fifty Pelicans feeding on the Barney Miller Creek. Taking alarm, they rose in a body, making a great splashing as their broad wings struck the water. Half a dozen stately' White Egrets wading in the shallows formed a delightful picture, and amongst the branches of a lofty Red Gum were seen several of the beautiful Yellow Parrakeet, or Swamp Lory. Noisy Miners and Magpie-Larks were plentiful, the brilliant plumage of the Bee-eater and Sacred Kingfisher enli\'ened the scene, the Friar-bird amused us with his curious vocal efforts, and the notes of the Bronze-winged Pigeon and Peaceful Dove were constantly heard. On the New South Wales side of the river a chain of small lakes extends inland ; these are filled from the river during flood-time. These lakes — Poomah, Poon-boon, Genoe, &c.— are proclaimed sanctuaries for native birds, and on a previous \dsit by the writer, in the month of April, the l)ird-life on and about them was worth going a long way to see. Black Swans, Pelicans, Maned Geese, ducks of many species. Cormorants, Grebes, and Coots almost covered the surface of one small lake, which supported a prohfic growth of " weed " and water-lily, while round tlu'. shores or on the flats Herons, Spoonbills, Ibises, Egrets, Stilts, Avocets, Plovers, Snipe, and Dottrel abounded. A number of Whistling Eagles circled about, and a thousand feet over- head soared the monarch of all — the Wedge-tailed Eagle. Of interest to the naturalist, but heartily and frequently anathematized by anglers, are the small tortoise of the Murray. About noon on a liot day, as you walk along the bank, you hear a succession of splashes, as, alarmed at your approach, the tortoise dive into the river from the logs where they have been basking in the sun. They take the bait from your hook with fiendish persistence, but you cannot catch them. The big spiny Murray lobsters are aiso very troublesome at times in this way, especiall}' if you are using fish or bird for bait, and the only tiling to do is to wind up and try to dodge them. When enough fish for the needs of the day had been caught the rods would be laid aside, and tlie entomologist spent some time turning logs and bark-stripping in a searcli for beetles. Amongst those noti-d were Psalidiira flavosctosa, Sclcrorhinus vestitus, S. siiblinealiis, Carcniiui aiithrciciniim, ('. iniitaior, C. elegans, Clivina qitadraiifrons, Pheropsophiis vcriicalis, Catadromus lacordnirci, and many others. Under a log was found a specimen of the fine Tenebrionid, Prupliancs mdallesccns, t46 GouDiE. Three Anglers at the Murray. [voT.'xxxv'ii. in the act of changing from the pupa to the adult state. The days passed happily and all too quickly. Anghng, of course, was the main diversion, and no difficulty was experienced in obtaining an ample supply of fish. Cod, Silver Percli, Yellow Perch, and Bream were the fish caught. llic introduced Brown Trout is said to be captured here occasionally, but none came to our hooks. At a farm-house we were shown the head of a Cod which weighed 58 lbs. It was caught on a night-line, the bait on which had been swall<3wed by a small fish, which had, in turn, been gorged by the big fellow. These veterans of the river are only to be caught at night, and, having this in mind, the enthusiast of the party (not the writer) decided to try night-fishing, and bagged a nice lo-lb. Cod. The next night he ventured again, and this time hooked a fish that tried his tackle well. The tough green-heart bent and swayed and the 5-inch reel hummed as the big Cod strove frantically to reach the snags ; but time and skill prevailed, and he was lifted out by the gihs — 15 lbs. to the ounce. At once extracting the hook, a piece of stout line two yards in length was passed round the gills and tied, the other end fastened to a stake driven in the bank, and the fish returned to the river, httle the worse for the encounter. Fish thus tethered may be kept a couple of days and takt-n home fresh (as this one was) to con- vince the sceptics that the biggest fish does not always escape. The Satin Bower-Bird. — In the Sydney Mail of jolli March, Mr. Jas. Potter, R.A.O.U., gives an account of the finding of a bower of a Satin Bower-bird, Plilonor/iynchits violaceiis, Vieill., in the National Park, at Port Hacking, near Sydney. He and a fellow-naturalist had spent many week-ends in the haunts of these birds on the look-out for a bovver, and at last detected one not far from the main drive through the l^irk. The bower, or " playhouse," consisted of a great numl)er of twigs stuck in the ground in such a manner as to form an arch. This was built on the ground in the middle wf a platform of pine needles trampled flat, measuring about three feet in diameter, tlie bower itself being about twelve inches long, just large enough to accommodate the female bird. The structure is used only for courting ])urposes, the male bird taking great pleasure in decorating it daily with coloured articles of various descrip- tions. In the case under notice i)lue flowers were brought regularly for the purpose. Some blue beads thrown on the ground som(; twenty feet from the bower were quickly delected and added to the decorations. Mr. Potter \isited the bower nearly every week-end for some time, and made notes of his Apf'i.l Nntes. 141 1921 J ~ observations. The record of one day's proceedings may be taken as an example. With his friend he arrived at the bower before sunrise. Their intentions were to photograph the bird at the bower — a rather diliticult operation, owing to the situation of the bower and the light conditions ; make a com- plete record of what was actually done, and find out how early the performance commenced. Owing to the nature of the vegetation neither the bower nor the bird could be seen until the observers were right on them. They had not waited long when the male bird arrived with a spray of blue flowers. It was now 4.45 a.m., and only just sufficiently light to see the bower properly. After dropping the flowers at the side of the bower the bird began re-arranging the different objects, now and then pondering over the work, just like an old man. For ten minutes it kept this up, apparently making ready for the day's courting, then ran away some distance before flying off to gather more .flowers. Five times during the next hour spraj'S of flowers were brought and added to the decorations, making the bower really look beautiful. At six o'clock the female came down from the tree where she had been feeding and went straight into the playhouse, from which to watch her lover display his plumage. The male bird now began most peculiar antics. With tail up, wings down, and neck out- stretched, displaying his beautiful satin feathers, he would strut about in front of the bower, first on one side then on the other, until one would think the bird was run by clockwork. For twenty minutes it thus performed, whistling like a starling all the while. They then made a slight noise, at which the female instantly retired, but the male bird continued his antics for at least thirty seconds before he noticed that she had gone. It was now sufficiently light to try for a picture, which turned out well. As soon as the sun struck the bower he left, and did not return until 4 p.m., when the same routine was gone through again. Unfortunately, a few weeks later the bower was destroyed l)y a l)ush-rire. Two other bowers were after- wards found, but neither was so perfect as the first. Lykk-Birds.- In a recent nature note in the Argus Mr. Donald Macdonald remarks on the high perching of the Lyre- birds at Shcrbrooke I""alls, Dandenong Ranges. These ])irds, which, before the arrival of man and the introduction of foxes, usually perched and built their nests within tvu feet or so of the ground, have now learned to ascend further from danger. Mr. Macdonald recently saw an assemblage of twelve to fifteen birds roosting in a clump of high trees just below thc^ falls, at least 100 feet above the ground. They leap or tly from bough to bough till they have reached tlie desired height. P)efore ..^ \Tnfp<: r Vict. Naf. '42 l\0ies. [y„, XXXVII. settling down for the night the}' began to imitate the notes of the Laughing Jackass until there was quite a Kookaburra chorus about the camping-place. " A Critical Revision' of the Genus Eucalyptus." — The forty-third part of this monograph b\' Mr. J. H. ]\Taiden, I.S.O., F.R.S., F.L.S., Government Botanist of New Soutli Wales and Director of the Botanic Gardens, Sydney, is a particularly interesting number, containing as it docs descriptions and notes of three eucalypts which are well known to all lovers of that group of trees. Everyone is familiar with /:. ficifolia, F. V. M., the Scarlet Gum of Western Australia, wliich has been so freelv used as a park tree throughout \'ictoria. Being so familiar wjth it here, one naturally supposes it to be of frequent occurrence in the West, but that is not so ; its habitat appears to be limited, being scattered over an area of about thirty-five miles by five in the vicinity of Brooke's Inlet, near Cape Leeuwin, the south-western extremity of Australia. The largest patch in one locality is about 2,000 acres. Here its character is very different to its growth in our parks. It occurs as a stunted tree, in some places forming flat-topped, impenetrable thickets 8 to 10 feet high, so intertwined that to walk over their tops would appear easier than to fight one's way through them. The species seems to be particularly subject to variation, especially in the colour of the flowers, and also to hybridization, and requires further investigation from thCse points of view. The next species dealt with, E. calophylla, R. Br., also well known in Victoria as a park tree, is generally called in the West " Red Gum," from the amount of gum— reallv kino — which it yields. It flowers freely, and is a good " bee tree." It has an extensive range in Western Australia, and forms a handsome tree. It normally has white flowers, but a variety, " rosea'' has been established by nurserymen. The third species is E. cilriodora, or, rather, /:. maciilata, Hook., var. cilriodora, F. v M., the Lemon-scented Gum of Queensland, originally recorded from Balmy {sic) Creek, about 30 miles west of Springsure, where it was collected by Major Mitchell and named by Sir W. Hooker, in the absence of flowers or fruits, on account of its fragrant smell. The tree has since been found to have an extensive range in Queensland and New South Wales, the intensity of its fragrance varying with different localities. Mr. Maiden considers it a true variety of E. maciilala. the Spotted (ium of New South Wales and Queensland. In Victoria there seems to be considerable difference in the growth of the two trees as cultivated speci- mens. b.ui,,.i<,.iiiiiiiiii;iEi;iiliiiiiiiriSijiiaiiiniiiieii^^ "'^i Vol. XXXVIL— Nos. 1, 2. ^ AIay^ u.xe, 1920. ^® ?«? I ) li The Yicforian Katuralist: !| • THE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE \ i - OF - Jhe Shield XaturaUsts* eiub of Vietorio. Hon. Editop: p. G. A. BRI^l^AI^D. Hsq. The Author of each article is responsible for the facts and opinions recorded. GOlsTTElsTTS : MAY. PAQB FiKLD Naturalists' Club or Victobia .. .. .. 1 Wild Lifk in Tasmania (co7iUmied). By G. Weindoefek and G. Fkancis 5 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . 8 JUNE. Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria . . . . 'J Wild Life in Tasmania {continued). Bv G. WEiJsDoKiiii: anj) G. Francis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 •i* T^T^ICW, SIXf»ENCE. W ( p Ubtainable from — hon. Treasurer, hon. Secretary, or tlon. t:dU»r. ) V'l (It BT Post id. bxtra.) 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