July.-j 

 i9»7 J 



Topp. Wild-floweys of South-Western Australia-. 43 



seven identical species, and only two Victorian ones absent), 

 one Diiiris, several Prasophyllums, ('aladenias, and Glossodias, 

 though the last-named are not of the Victorian species. In 

 fact, the " Census " shows that only two Victorian genera of Aus- 

 tralian orchids are absent from south-west Australia (Dipodium 

 and Orthoceras). and only one Western Australian genus 

 (Epiblema) is not represented in Victoria. The common Vic- 

 torian liliaceous plants, such as Dianella, Wurmbca. Burchardia, 

 Bulbine, Thysanotus, Chamfescilla. Stypandra. Arthropodium, 

 are found in the south-west : but, being early spring flowers, 

 only odd examples were in bloom in October. A large number 

 of the grasses are common to the south-west and south-east 

 of Australia, but these I did not collect. 



Silver Wattles. — Mr. F. Wisewould reports early flowering 

 of the Silver Wattles, Acacia dealhata, at Pakenham Upper, many 

 blossoms being fully out on i8th June. It may be mentioned 

 that Acacia Bailey ana was noticed in bloom in the eastern 

 suburbs on ist June. 



Nature and War. — In the '* Science Notes " in the Austral- 

 asian of 30th June, " Tellurian " gives a few notes which show 

 that Australians abroad have an eye for nature study. Is this the 

 result of their early training in our schools ? He says in a 

 letter recently received from Palestine, written by a soldier 

 during a lull in an engagement, the writer describes the battle- 

 field as •' beautiful green fields, with blood-red poppies. There 

 were larvae of all descriptions crawling in the grass, and swarms 

 of butterflies, just emerged- These did just what other butterflies 

 do on such occasions. No matter where you stooped you saw 

 a pendant chrysalis flipping its tail, or a butterfly just emerged 

 clinging to a stem, its wings not unfurled, or a pt^rfect insect 

 with wings fully expanded, but yet too weak to face the world." 

 . . . "The funnel traps of the ant-lion larv.-e were all over 

 tile place, and one of our wounded pointed out to me a small 

 grasshopper gripped and held in the bottom of the pit by one of 

 the ant-lions, and just as the poor grasshopper was taking things 

 as a matter of course, so were our poor chaps taking the 

 machine -gun fire, shrapnel, high explosives. I don't say for a 

 moment that either enjoyed the situation, but, with the nun, 

 until one is cracked, he always reckons it will be the other 

 fellow who will get it. I can't speak for the grasshoppers, but 

 that's how they feel about their chances with the ant-lions." 

 These notes were written in the neighbourhood of (xaza, that 

 ancient city of Palestine, which has had many masters in its 

 time. 



