i - } Nnfe<; T Vict - Nat - 



l 5 2 *\oies. L Vol. XXXII. 



me that the disease was fowl cholera, due largely to the hot 

 weather then prevailing, with the consequent partial drying-up 

 of the swamp, thus leaving stagnant pools of water, which 

 became partly heated by the sun. resulting in a severe outbreak 

 of cholera. I am of opinion similar conditions prevail now, 

 and it is very probable the disease has again broken out. Not 

 only are water-fowl being affected, but it is attacking domes- 

 ticated hens. The germ of fowl cholera finds great scope for 

 activity in sun-warmed, stagnant water, and the authorities 

 would be well advised to take some steps to clear the swamp 

 nf dead carcasses, and use a few tons of lime around the pools. 

 which possibly may be termed the breeding-ground of this 

 trouble. It would be a thousand pities for the wild duck to 

 be exterminated at Winton, which has been for years past a 

 popular resort. I understand a similar outbreak has occurred 

 at Lake Lalbert, but, as I am not personally acquainted with 

 that lake, I cannot offer an opinion. It is the muddy, half- 

 dried-up pools surrounding these swamps that cause the trouble. 

 and that is where the liming would be the cheapest and possibly 

 the most effective remedy." 



The Australian Flora in Applied Art. — It is evidently 

 the intention of the Technical Education Branch of the New 

 South Wales Department of Public Instruction to publish a 

 series of volumes under this heading, as a very handsome and 

 useful work is to hand, designated -Part I. : The Waratah. 

 Its author is .Mr. R. T. Baker. F.L.S., Curator of the Techno- 

 logical Museum, Sydney, and the whole get-up oi the work 

 reflects great credit both on him and the Government Printer. 

 Numerous illustrations, both in colour and black and white. 

 testify as to the adaptability oi the Waratah. both flowers and 

 foliage, tor use as ornamenl in architecture, bookbinding, 

 ceramics, ironwork, lace, wall-papers, &c, while in the Literature 

 oi the subject the author nevei loses sight oi his contention 

 thai the Waratah, taking into consideration its many qualifica- 

 tions, should be the national flower oi Australia. Coloured 

 illustration- are given oi the Victorian and Tasmanian species, 

 as well as the more generally known New South Wale- spei 

 and, while the latter is undoubtedly the most showy objeci 

 from a floral point oi view, it is pleasing to note thai the Vic- 

 torian species provides a very handsome wood foi the cabinet- 

 maker. Seeing 'li.it the Victorian tree i- quite unknown to 

 the majority oi Victorian residents owing to the inaccessibility 

 oi it- habitat, we trusi thai its timber will nol be allowed to be 

 exploited without control, and the species exterminated. 



