Che Uictorian naturalist 



Vol. XXXII.— No. 8. DECEMBER 9, 1915. No. 384. 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the 

 Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 8th November, 1915. 

 The president. Dr. C. S. Sutton, occupied the chair, and about 

 thirty-six members and visitors were present. 



REPORTS. 



In the absence of the leader (Mr. H. Witty), Mr. F. G. A. 

 Barnard made a brief report of the excursion to Gembrook on 

 ibth-ijth. October, which, he said, had proved very enjoyable, 

 though slightly marred by showery weather. The party was 

 greatly indebted to Mr. and Mrs. MTnnes, who placed a 

 cottage at their disposal during the stay. Wild-flowers were 

 fairly plentiful, but the striking feature of the trip was the 

 splendid tints displayed by the young growth of the various 

 gum saplings, which in themselves were worth the journey 

 from town. The district is a good one from both the botanist's 

 and ornithologist's point of view, and, he hoped, would be 

 visited by a larger party at no distant date. In conclusion, 

 he moved that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr. and Mrs. 

 MTnnes for their hospitality on the occasion. 



The motion was seconded by Mr. F. Wisewould and carried. 



A report of the excursion to the You Yangs on Saturday, 

 30th October, was made by the leader, Mr. A. D. Hardy, 

 F.L.S., who stated that eight members participated in the 

 outing. The journey from the Little River railway station to 

 the hills, a distance of about four miles, was negotiated against 

 a very strong and variable wind. The wattle plantation to 

 the south-east of the mount was first inspected, and then 

 the ascent made to Flinders Peak, 1,154 ^ eet above sea-level. 

 Here some little time was spent resting and viewing the sur- 

 rounding landscape. On descending, the party bore westerly, 

 and entered the eucalyptus plantation, where they had an 

 opportunity of contrasting the long, straight, robust bole of 

 the Blue Gums planted by the Forest Department with the 

 Low and gnarled trunk of the species as growing endemic on 

 the peak. The flora of the reserve is not extensive, the Snowy 

 Mint-bush, Prostanthera nivea, being the most attractive species. 

 The Sweet Tobacco, Nicotiana suaveolens, was well in bloom, 

 as well as numerous species of everlastings. The party 

 returned from Lara station, the distance travelled being about 

 ten miles, 



