126 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



on the top additional plants such as P^dtencea mollis, Eutaxia 

 impetri/olia, and Grevillea alpina were added to our list. Alter 

 struggling through a thick growth of dwarf gums, &c., we at 

 length reached our vehicle, and were soon back at " Dunbar," 

 where Mrs. Brittlebank had prepared a meal suited to the wants 

 of hungry naturalists. After tea there was little time to chat 

 before the conveyance which was to take us back to Bacchus 

 Marsh (eight miles) arrived, and we were soon en route for the 

 station, and in due course reached Melbourne again about 10.30 

 p.m., well pleased with our trip, though at one time rather 

 inconvenienced by the heat. Insects were very scarce all day. 

 Altogether between 40 and 50 species of plants were noticed in 

 bloom, and the resemblance of the flora to that recorded in the 

 report of the Gisborne excursion {Vict. Nat., xvi., page 146) was 

 very noticeable ; but it must be borne in mind that the same 

 barren Silurian formation extends right across almost to that 

 place, a distance of some 12 or 14 miles. — F. G. A. Barnard. 



SOME NOTES ON NIGERIA. 



By a. D. Hardy. 



{Read hefore the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, llth Nov., 1902.) 



{Concluded from page 118,) 



The Crab's-eye Bean, Abrus precatorius, growing here, is also to 

 be found in Queensland, the beautifully-coloured red and black 

 seeds being used as ornamental pin-heads. 



Thevetia neriifulia is a fine shrub, about 10 feet in height, 

 having bunches of long lace-like leaves, and large yellow, 

 trumpet shaped flowers. It is interesting, when a Thevetia in 

 bloom has attracted a species of Humming-bird, to watch these 

 tiny creatures buzzing rather than flying, and, whilst on the wing, 

 thiusting their long, curved bills through the corolla tubes to 

 suck the hidden sweets. 



Rubber, one of the chief products of the country, is obtained 

 from species of Ficus, Landolpliia, and Kicksia. Allied species 

 of Ficus grow in Queensland, and are well known. The Lan- 

 dolphia is a strong twining plant, and the Kicksia somewhat 

 resenibles an Orange tree, and grows to 20 feet in height. The 

 presence of rubber trees in this locality was discovered through 

 the natives using the semi-coagulated sap as bird-lime. 



In gathering rubber the natives slit the bark, and — in case of 

 Landol[jhia, the sap of which rapidly coagulates — smear their 

 bodies with the milk as it exudes. The plaster is then peeled off 

 and rolled into balls for the traders, who export it for special 

 treatment. 



The Kola-nut tree. Cola acuminata, grows plentifully in North 



