82 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. XXVI. 



October, under the leadership of Prof. Ewart, D.Sc, was given 

 by Mr. J. R. Tovey, who reported a good attendance of 

 members. Along the roadside many introduced plants were 

 noted, such as Bartsia latifolia, which is usually parasitic on 

 grass-roots ; Sparaxis grandiflora, and others. Passing over the 

 heath-ground at least 60 species were found in flower, of which 

 Thdymitra anfennifera, T. aristata, Glossodia major, and Dinris 

 pedunculata were the principal representatives of the orchids. 

 Many white specimens of the beautiful blue squill, ChamcesrAlla 

 corymhosa were noted. The white blossoms of Ricinocarpus 

 pinifolius and Leptospermum myrsinoides were very abundant. 

 Attention was drawn to the floral mechanism of the introduced 

 Cape Weed, Criiptostemma calendulaceum, and it was remarked 

 how much this plant had deteriorated in the poor sandy soil till 

 its leaves were barely two inches long, and the inflorescence in 

 some cases possessing only six ray florets. 



A report of the junior excursion to Blackrock on Saturday, 2nd 

 October, was furnished by the leader, Mr. E. B. Nicholls, who 

 reported an excellent attendance of some 50 juniors, together 

 with several adult members. The excursion was devoted to 

 ornithology, and many interesting; birds were noted. The first 

 nest observed was that of the Yellow Robin, one of the charac- 

 teristic birds of the belts of tea-tree along the coast. A rare 

 find was a Tawny Frogmouth, which remained on its nest suffi- 

 ciently long: for a photograph to be taken. Several nests of the 

 Mountain Thrush with young birds were seen, the parent bird in 

 each remaining quietly and allowing a good view at close range. 

 In the scrub towards the beach nests of the Brown Tit and Scrub- 

 Wren vvere found. At the beach several species of sea-birds, such 

 as the Gannet, the Pacific Gull, and the Tippet Grebe, were 

 pointed out, and their peculiarities discussed. Attention was 

 also directed to some of the forms of animal life washed up on 

 the shore, and a passing reference was made to the botanical 

 specimens met with during the afternoon. At the close of the 

 outing the party was entertained at tea at " Woongara," after 

 which an interesting series of bird-skins was shown, and the 

 differences in the species met with during the day pointed out. 



On the motion of Mr. Barnard and Dr. Sutton, a vote of thanks 

 was unanimously accorded to Mr. Nicholls for the trouble he had 

 taken to entertain the juniors and make the excursion so in- 

 structive. 



[Some excellent views showing the proceedings at this excursion 

 appeared in the Australasian of Saturday, 9th October. — Ed. 

 Vict. Nat.} 



ELECTION OF ISIEMBERS. 



On a ballot being taken, Mr. Henry Anjou, Neerim-road, 

 Murrumbeena, Mr. S. Simpson, State school, Glenroy, and Mr. 



