Cbc Uktorian naturalist 



Vol. XXIX.— No. 12. APRIL 10, 1913. No. 352. 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the 

 Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, loth March, 1913. 

 Prof. Ewart, D.Sc, Ph.D., a past president, occupied the chair, 

 and about 40 members and visitors were present. 



REPORTS. 



A report of the excursion to Mitcham on Saturday', 15th 

 February, was given by the leader, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who 

 said that an interesting ramble had taken place. A couple of 

 flower-spikes of the leafless orchid, Dipodium punctatiim, had 

 been seen. A few common insects had been taken, and some 

 captures of pond-life had been made. The party got as far as 

 the MuUum Mullum or Deep Creek, which suggested itself as a 

 good locality for an outing in the spring. 



A report of the whole-day excursion to Hanging Rock, via 

 Woodend, on Saturday, 22nd February, was given by the acting 

 leader, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, who said that, doubtless owing to 

 the distance from town (over fifty miles), only three members 

 had attended. The day turned out very warm, and the party 

 was disinclined for much exertion. However, the Racecourse 

 Hill at Woodend was first visited, and specimens of the newly- 

 named rock, Woodendite, obtained. Hanging Rock was reached 

 about mid-day, and fully explored. Only well-known insects 

 and plants were seen. The return journey was made along 

 the south bank of the Five-Mile Creek, where more interesting 

 plants w ere met with. 



A report of the excursion to Deepdene on Saturday, 8th 

 March, was given by the leader, Mr. J. Stickland, who said 

 that there was only a small attendance of members. The ponds 

 were in a poor condition, but a little collecting had been done. 

 There had not been time, however, to thoroughly examine the 

 material. 



A report of the junior excursion to the Botanical Gardens on 

 Saturday, ist March, was given by the leader, I\Ir. F. Pitcher, 

 who said that the party spent the afternoon in making an 

 examination of the various palms and ferns in the gardens, 

 including the collection of Victorian ferns in the classification 

 sheds. The Nursery was visited to see the different methods of 

 propagating and raising both ferns and palms. 



