78 Field Naturalists' Cltih— Proceedings. [vo\'"xxxVv 



F. Spry, one of the earliest members of the Chib, on his appoint- 

 ment as entomologist to the National Museum. 



Mr. P. R. H. St. John read an extract showinj,^ the strict 

 measures taken by the South African autliorities for the 

 preservation of the indigenous flora. 



Miss G. Nethercote, convener of the ladies' committee in 

 connection with the exhibition of wild-flowers, appealed to the 

 lady members for all the assistance that could possibly be 

 giv^en, in order to make the exhibition a success. 



LECTURETTE. 



By Mr. G. F. Hill, F.E.S., entitled " A Naturalist in the 

 Northern Territory." 



The lecturer, with the aid of a fine series of lantern slides, 

 gave a description of his experiences with the Barclay Ex- 

 ploring Expedition in Central Australia and the Northern 

 Territory, a visit to Melville Island, and also on a trip from 

 Darwin to the Gulf of Carpentaria. The aboriginal hfe, the 

 scener}% and the natural history features of the parts traversed 

 were dealt with in an interesting and instructive manner. 



Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., said that Mr. Hill had made a 

 large and valuable collection of entomological and zoological 

 specimens during his journeys, which he had presented to the 

 National Museum, Melbourne. 



NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 



Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., read a newspaper cutting stating 

 that the Broadmeadows Shire Council had decided that the 

 Onion Weed, Romulca cruciata, Ker-Gawl., is useful as a fodder 

 plant, and should be removed from the list of noxious weeds. 



Mr. J. P. M'Lennan said that most of the peach trees at the 

 Burnley Gardens were bursting into bloom, some even a 

 fortnight previously. This early flowering he considered to be 

 due to the fact that the trees are affected with a species of 

 aphis, which has caused an excitation of the sap, this move- 

 ment resulting in the buds swelling and developing flowers. 



EXHIBITS. 



By Mr. E. S. Anthony. — Ethnological specimens from 

 Northern Territory. 



By Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S. — Specimen of wood and sub- 

 aerial roots of Hakea lanrina. This dwarf tree, about ten 

 years old, was recently blown down in the exhibitor's garden at 

 Balwyn, where it had attained the height of 12 feet, and a stem 

 diameter of 5 inches. It had been growing in a dry situation, 

 and in endeavouring to obtain moisture had from its main 

 divergent roots thrown up curious tangles of sub-aerial roots, 

 by which it obtained moisture from the surface during slight 

 showers. 



