The South Australian Naturalist. 21 



had collected 50 or 60 different kinds, most of them of extinct 

 species. He hoped that the members would at some future 

 time trace with him these beds to Aldinga Bay, where fossils 

 were more numerous and in better preservation. Beneath 

 them would be seen an older series, which were referred at 

 that time to the Eocene epoch. 



It was too late in tlie season for many flowers, but in the 

 early spring a considerable number are to be met with here. 

 Tavo species of Goodenia (G. amplexaus and G. albiflora), 

 Mj^oporum parvifolium, and the poisonous Eujihorbia eremo- 

 phila were seen on this occasion. The party concluded their 

 memorable day (after tea) by being taken, under tlie professor's 

 guidance, up the gorge of Field's River, where he pointed out 

 the rocky walls of massive limestone, which (more esi)ecially 

 where slaty bands were interstratified) were seen to be 

 crumpled in a most intricate manner. 



Hallett's Cove has been visited by the Section many times 

 since the occasion here referred to, but never, perhaps, with 

 so large, so enthusiastic, nor so distinguished a company. 



A PLEA FOR SHELL-COLLECTING. 



By W. J. Kimber. 



For mau}^ years the study of Conchology has given me a 

 great deal of pleasure. I have collected shells on many beaches 

 in South Australia, and have found in them much of absorbing- 

 interest. If our members would but take a deeper interest in 

 shells and the wonderful creatures which make them, a visit 

 to the seaside would be much more profitable and enjoyable 

 than it often is. 



Making a collection of shells has advantages which the 

 student of many other branches of natural history must admit. 

 They are not attacked by "moth and rust" ; the form and colour 

 are permanent, and require very little attention. Think of the 

 worries of the botanist : how soon his beautiful plants and 

 flowers wither and die. The worried look of the entomologist 

 shov\'s that he is in constant dread that his most precious speci- 

 mens will be attacked and destroyed by other insects, and great 

 care has to be taken and expensive cabinets provided. 



AYhat a difference there is between the living bird and the 

 stuffed one, however skilfully mounted ! The work of getting 

 the bird and preserving its skin is great, and subsecpient insect 

 pests are troublesome. A collection of minerals entails much 

 labour, and is a weighty affair in more ways than one. The 

 couchologist has few worries after he has collected his shells. 



