1 lo Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [voT."^xxxvi 



interest displayed in the method of preparation. On leaving 

 the nursery, Mr. W. Scott, a member of the Club, now residing 

 at Emerald, invited the party to afternoon tea at his home- 

 stead, after which he led the way to the tourist track along 

 Menzies Creek, which was followed up-stream to Paradise 

 station, from whence the return journey to town was com- 

 menced. 



Mr. Pescott moved that a letter of thanks be forwarded to 

 Mr. Nobelius for his kindness in allowing the part}/ to ramble 

 over the nursery and to inspect the operations of the flax mill. 

 This was seconded by Mr. Barnard and carried unanimously. 



In repl}/ to the chairman, Mr. Pescott said that he saw only 

 one Cyathea in the fern gull3^ It is a very fine specimen, 

 with fronds at least fifteen feet long and about four feet wide. 

 Mr. Hardy said that a number of these rare ferns had been 

 planted in the gully some years ago, but they had been carried 

 off by plant thieves. 



GENERAL BUSINESS. 



The chairman stated that an announcement had recently been 

 made of the death, near Sydney, of Mrs. Lucas, wife of Mr. 

 A. H. S. Lucas, M.A., an hon. member of the Club, and who 

 had lately shown his continued interest in the Club by con- 

 tributing papers to its proceedings. He moved that a letter 

 conveying the sympathy of the members be forwarded to Mr. 

 Lucas. This was carried in silence. 



The hon. treasurer, Mr. F. Pitcher, reported that all the 

 tickets issued in connection with the recent exhibition of wild- 

 flowers were not yet accounted for. The credit balance at 

 present stood at £165 los. 5d. He hoped to add a few pounds 

 to that amount when all the returns are to hand. 



Mr. E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., made further suggestions as to 

 future exhibitions. He said that systematic classification 

 should not be sacrificed to anything whatsoever ; that trade 

 exhibits should be encouraged, as the nurserymen can do much 

 to inculcate a love for Australian flowers, and, if encouraged, 

 it will be to their advantage to do so ; that pot plants and seeds 

 should be on sale ; and that the doors should be open con- 

 tinuously from 12 noon till closing time, so that persons 

 engaged in business could have an opportunity of viewing the 

 exhibition during luncheon or tea hours. 



Mr. Coghill thought it might be advisable to hold the 

 exhibition later in the week, so as to give more time for the 

 receipt of inter-State parcels. He also urged the securing of 

 the hall as far ahead as possible, so as to prevent disappoint- 

 ment. As it was possible there would be no Railways excursion 

 to the Grampians next year, some way of obtaining flowers 

 from there would have to be thought out. 



Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., referred to the approaching 



