Dec. 



1913 



J*;''] Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. 131 



been endeavouring to arrange for an excursion to Mallacoota 

 during the Christmas hohdays, reports that it is impossible 

 to get a steamer at that time, and asked for suggestions as to 

 any other locality. 



Mr. J. Shepherd suggested another visit to Wilson's Promon- 

 tory, and said he thought it advisable to bring the locality 

 before the public as often as possible. 



Mr. G. Coghill said that if a leader could be obtained an 

 excursion to the National Park could be easily arranged. 



Mr. Barnard suggested the Marysville district. It was an 

 interesting locality, and had been opened up greatly during 

 the past few months. 



Mr. W. Rosenhain said that if it were possible to hold the 

 excursion to Mallacoota it should be done. He understood 

 that the locality was soon to be thrown open to timber-cutters, 

 when much of its charm would be destroyed. 



The chairman said that the committee would consider the 

 suggestions. 



PAPER READ. 



By Mr. R. A. Bastow, entitled " Austrahan Lichens." 



The author remarked on the various forms and shapes 

 assumed by the plants known as lichens, which by some 

 botanists are regarded as a union of fungus and alga, though 

 he preferred to treat them as a distinct group. By means of 

 blackboard drawings he pointed out the method of reproduction 

 and growth, and gave some hints on their collection and 

 classification. He handed in for publication a complete illus- 

 trated synopsis of the genera of Australian lichens. 



The chairman said that the author's remarks were very 

 interesting, and the paper should draw attention to a group 

 of plants in which there were at present very few workers. 



Mr. G. Coghill remarked that the author had drawn a con- 

 siderable number of artistic illustrations on the blackboard, 

 but had not referred to all of them. He suggested that, as 

 the paper had created considerable interest, Mr. Bastow should 

 explain the whole of the drawings. With this the author 

 readily complied. 



Mr. F. G. A. Barnard said the thanks of the Club were due 

 to Mr. Bastow for his valuable paper on the lichens, and trusted 

 that he would be able to find the time to prepare a similar paper 

 on the mosses, on which he was an acknowledged authority. 



Mr. A. D. Hardy, F.L.S., said that Mr. Bastow had a few 

 years ago prepared a " Key to the Marine Algae," which was of 

 great assistance to workers in that group. 



Mr. Bastow, in reply, said he was always glad to assist those 

 desirous of studying lichens, mosses, or seaweeds. 



