Cbc Uictorian naturalist. 



Vol. XXIX.— No. 8. DECEMBER 5, 1912. No. 348. 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the 

 Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, nth November, 

 1912. 



Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., one of the vice-presidents, 

 occui)ied the chair, and about 40 mem^^rs and visitors were 

 present. 



REPORTS. 



A report of the e.xcursion to Laverton on Saturday, 19th 

 October, was given by the leader, Mr. C. French, jun., who 

 stated that an interesting afternoon had been spent in 

 traversing the district l)etween Laverton and North Williams- 

 town. At Altona Bay several old aboriginal camping-grounds 

 were visited, and some stone relics obtained. 



A report of the excursion to Alphington for pond-life on 

 Saturday, 26th October, was given by the leader, Mr. J. Searle, 

 who reported a very profitable afternoon, a large variety of 

 specimens of microscopic life having been obtained. 



A report of the excursion to the You Yangs on Tuesday, 5th 

 November (Cup Day), was given by the leader, Mr. F. G. A. 

 Barnard, who said that the party had experienced a most un- 

 jilcasant day, a strong wind prevailing all day, and rendering 

 rambling among the rocks dangerous at times, consequently 

 the natural history results were practically nothing. The 

 parts visited were almost the same as on the previous excursion 

 in November, 1908, which was fully reported in the Naturalist 

 of the following month. The party was rather small, but it 

 included two ladies, who expressed themselves pleased with 

 the ten-mile walk, notwithstanding the un]:)lcasantness of the 

 weather. The typical shrul) of the foothills, Prostanthera 

 nivea, is a charming sight when in flower, but, probably on 

 account of the dry si)ring, was just jiassed its best. On the 

 hills the Blue Gum, Eucalyptus globulus, was ])etter in flower 

 than on many previous visits, while many of the Black Wattles, 

 Acacia mollissima, were in fine bloom, and scenting the air for 

 many yards round. 



A re])ort of the excursion to Coode Island on Saturday, 9th 

 November, was given by the leader, Mr. J. R. Tovey, who said 

 that a fairly large party of members, including several ladies, 

 had availed themselves of the oj^portunity of a motor-boat 

 trip to the island in order to see liow the numerous accidiMitaily- 

 introduccd [)l;ints hchaNcd in llicir new surroundings. It was 



