36 Excursion to Mont Albert and Balwyn. [ 



Vict. Nat. 

 Vol. XXX. 



of Victoria," vol. xxiv. (N.S.), pt. i, 1911, pp. 124-134, pis. 

 xl., xli., the precise locality being north of Belmore-road and 

 east of Whitethorn-road. The Silurian bed-rock surrounding the 

 volcanic plug is distinctly indurated, and the effect of contact 

 met amor phism is seen in the highly ferruginous colouration of 

 some of the rock fragments lying around, as when a piece of 

 yellow sandstone is burnt to a red colour. The excavation is, 

 roughly speaking, about 200 by 150 yards in extent. The mem- 

 bers of the party noted the difference between this rock and the 

 ordinary bluestone, in that the former occurs in closely jointed 

 rectangular and tabular masses and is decidedly heavier. The 

 hope was expressed by more than one that a further excavation 

 should be made, not only to expose fresher surfaces of the rock, 

 but in order to show the exact relationship of the lava to the 

 bed-rock. Some fairly heavy bags of specimens were secured, 

 as well as smaller chippings for the purpose of making thin 

 rock sections ; for, from a petrological standpoint, the lava (a 

 Monchiquite) makes an interesting study. The accompanying 

 illustrations (plate iii.) will give some idea of the present 

 appearance of the excavation, and of the picturesqueness of its 

 sinuation. The return to Surrey Hills station was made by 

 way of Whitethorn-road and across country to Balwyn Hill.^ — 

 F. Chapman. 



The Late Rev. W. Fielder. — Nature students, and micros- 

 copists in particular, have lost an enthusiastic helper in the 

 death of the Rev. Walter Fielder, F.R.M.S., on Wednesday, 

 28th May, at the age of 55. He was elected a member of the 

 Field Naturalists' Club in May, 1890, and in December of the 

 same year was elected to fill a vacancy on the committee. In 

 the following May he took up the secretaryship, in conjunction 

 with Mr. D. Le Souef during the first year, but from May, 1892, 

 to January, 1894, carried out the whole of the duties. On his 

 retirement in January, 1894, on account of his having under- 

 taken University work, he was presented by his fellow-meml)ers 

 with a valuable microscope. He was one of the founders of the 

 Microscopical Society of Victoria, and filled the position of 

 Lecturer and Demonstrator in Physiology and Histology at the 

 University up to the time of his illness. Before making 

 scientific investigations his life work, Mr. Fielder had held 

 several important positions in the Anglican Church, and here 

 also his loss will be greatly felt, as he was ever ready, in the 

 midst of scientific work, to fill a vacant pulpit when called 

 upon. 



