Cbc Uictonan naturalist 



Vol. XXIX.— No. 7. NOVEMBER 7, 1912. No. 347. 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Chib was held in the 

 Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 14th October, 1012. 

 The president, Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, occupied the chair, 

 and about 65 members and visitors were present. 



REPORTS. 



A report of the excursion to Ringwood on Saturday, 14th 

 September, was given by the leader, Mr. J. A. Leach, M.Sc, 

 who said that the afternoon turned oiit wet, and the party was 

 unable to ramble far from the railway station. However, a 

 preliminary inspection of the locality was made in the morning, 

 when about 25 species of birds were seen. Towards the close 

 of the afternoon refreshments were provided by Mr. D. and 

 Miss Davis. 



In the absence of Dr. C. S. Sutton, leader of the excursion 

 from Clayton to Oakleigh, on Saturday, 28th September, Mr. 

 P. R. H. St. John stated that the party noted over 100 species 

 of plants in flower and nearly a dozen birds. 



Mr. J. G. O'Donoghue, leader of the excursion announced for 

 Brisbane Ranges on Saturday, 12th October, reported that the 

 excursion lapsed, as only one member besides himself attended. 

 They, however, spent a pleasant day by making the shorter 

 trip to Werribee Gorge. 



The junior excursion to Sandringham on Saturday, 5th 

 October, was, in the absence of the leader. Dr. C. S. Sutton, 

 briefly reported by Mr. C. Stout, who said that about 27 juniors 

 and friends attended. Wild-flowers were numerous, and some 

 very interesting collections were made. 



ELECTION OF MEMBERS. 



On a ballot being taken, Mr. George Baird, " Purleigh," 

 Garvoc, was duly elected a country member of the Club. 



PAPERS READ. 



I. By Mr. Reginald Kelly, entitled " Concerning Acacia 

 Phyllodes." 



The author, in an interesting paper, called attention to the 

 difference in the so-called phyllodes of the acacias, and 

 questioned whether phyllode was really the correct term to be 

 used with regard to several species. He advanced the opinion 

 that all plants respond to stimuli, hence their schemes and 

 devices for self-preservation and multiplication. 



