42 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [voI"^xxxvi. 



it was very poor, partly owing to fires during the summer, and 

 partly to the extraordinary autumn just experienced, when both 

 native plants and introduced trees, &c., apparently misjudged 

 the season, and flowered at a time when they should have been 

 resting. He remarked that along part of the route followed, the 

 bank of the Lilydale water-race, numerous seedlings of about a 

 dozen species of ferns were easily obtainable. They were just 

 the size for moving, and their removal was in no way detrimental, 

 for at intervals the race was cleaned out, and most of the young 

 ferns were destroyed. Luncheon was taken at his week-end 

 cottage, where the party arrived just in time to avoid a wetting. 

 During the afternoon a visit was paid to the neighbouring 

 Olinda Reservoir, but the fine view usually obtainable from that 

 elevated spot was marred by rain clouds. The members of the 

 party, however, seemed to enjoy the outing, and returned to 

 Mooroolbark station laden with heath and gum leaves for home 

 decoration. 



Mr. J. L. Robertson said that he had brought the excursion 

 under the notice of the officers of H.M.S. New Zealand, but he 

 supposed their oflicial duties could not be set aside, for no one 

 responded to the invitation. 



ELECTION OF MEMBERS. 



On a ballot being taken, Mr. W. H. Ingram, '' Swainton," 

 Clowes-street, South Yarra, was duly elected an ordinary 

 member ; Mrs. J. Findlay Fraser, Sunnyside, via Drouin, as a 

 country member ; and Miss Oonah Hardy, Studley-avenue, 

 Kew, as an associate member of the Club. 



ANNUAL REPORT. 



The hon. secretary, Mr. E. S. Anthony, read the thirty-ninth 

 annual report for the year 1918-19, which was as follows : — 



*' To THE Members of the Field Naturalists' Club of 



Victoria. 



" Ladies and Gentlemen, — In presenting the thirty-ninth 

 annual report of the Club, j-our committee feel that it is a 

 matter for great thankfulness that the year just closed has seen 

 also the conclusion of the greatest conflict in human history. 

 For over four years the nations of the world have been engaged 

 in the deadhest strife, and it is little wonder that, amid the 

 unprecedented events of this period, a Club such as ours should 

 have been content with quiet, unostentatious work rather 

 than with movements of an aggressive nature. 



" In reviewing the past year, it is pleasing to record the 

 loyal support your committee and officers have received from 

 members despite the distracting factors alluded to. 



