Vol. XXVII. 



IQIO 



J ]\IcAlpine, The Romance of Plant Pathology. 135 



live in all kinds of rotten or semi-liciuicl refuse." Instead of 

 being a Cordyceps, it was simply a natural appendage, and this 

 l^ardonable mistake is only another illustration of the necessity 

 for careful examination before jumping at conclusions. 



These are only a few of what might be called " the tit-bits of 

 vegetable pathology " : but perhaps I had better not trespass 

 further on the time and patience of a staid body of field natur- 

 alists. If I have succeeded in giving you a share of the pleasure 

 ex])erienced by myself in putting together these few notes on 

 the lights and shadows of plant-life, then my obiect has been 

 attained. 



RECORDS OF GRAMPIAN PLANTS. 



To the Editor of tJu Victorian Naturalist. 



Sir, — I heartily agree with the remarks of Prof. A. J. Ewart 

 in Vict. Nat. for October, 1910, p. 106, anent complete accuracy 

 in identification of botanical specimens ; but I take exception 

 to some covert criticism regarding certain records of mine pub- 

 lished in Vict. Nat., June, 1910, p. 33. In that article I claimed 

 to have seen two orchids — Thelymitra fiiscolutea and Caladenia 

 filanientosa — in the Grampians. The former is nothing new, 

 having been recorded for that locality as far back as 1891* ; 

 V)ut the latter, which I will exhibit, I claim as the first record 

 for the Grampians. These specimens have been verified by the 

 National Herbarium. 



I also recorded Banksia integrifolia from the highlands of 

 Mt, William and Mt. Redman on personal observation ; and 

 when Prof. Ewart wrote me concerning it I pointed out that 

 it was recorded previously by the late Baron von Mueller and 

 Mr. G. Weindorfer. I took the first opportunity of sending 

 specimens of this plant to the Herbarium, and I have received 

 acknowledgment from Prof. Ewart (written, apparently, since 

 his remarks were committed to manuscript) that my identifica- 

 tion is correct ! 



On page 106, still referring to my (irampian notes, Prof. 

 Ewart states : — " Three ferns are recorded as new to the dis- 

 trict, but I have seen no specimens of them." I much deplore 

 that some unforeseen circumstance has prevented the worthy 

 professor remembering that, in June last, I sent him what 

 specimens I had of the ferns in question, and, dated 7/7/10, 

 I have his reply, containing these words : — " Aspidium capense, 

 Willd. (verified). — Possibly correct, but not in fruit. Poly- 

 podium. — Probably pustulatum, Forst., but without fruit. 

 Hymenophylhim. — Imperfect." 



I hope this little explanation will open the way for further 

 botanical work in this field. I may say that I am one of those 



* See report of a visit of this Club, Vict. Not., vol. viii. , p. 181. 



