. . The . . 



South Australian Naturalist. 



GENERAL NOTES. 



Popular Plant Names. — Much lias been done in Australia 

 towards the popularising of the study of birds, insects, plants, 

 etc., by the ado})tion of popidar names. Particularly so is thi.r} 

 true for birds and ])lants in A'ictoria. The good Avork of the 

 bird men is well advanced in this State, but it is curious to note 

 that no steps have yet been taken to systematically set out ;i 

 table of suitable popular names for plants. It was noticeable 

 at the Wild Flower Show that where a popular name was 

 attached to a plant, either fi'om the other States or from our 

 own, it Avas a centre of greater interest. In his address at the 

 opening of the Wild FIovnCI' SIioav, Professor Wood-Jones 

 pointed out that one of the difficidties that the young Australian 

 nature-lover encountered Avas the absence of good popular plant 

 names.. The fcAv popular names of floAvers in Australia Avere 

 largely imiK)rtations, and did not properly belong to the species. 

 They Avanted to make the study of biology acceptable by a 

 recognised nomenclature of tloAvers, birds, and beasts. So 

 far as birds Avere concerned, that Avas practically established, 

 but there Avere extraordinarily fcAv floAvers a child gathered to 

 AA^iich he could give a fitting and popular name. He Avould Avel- 

 come the elf(^rts of the Field Naturalists' Society for the stand- 

 ardisation of popular nomenclatitre for the floAvers and beasts, 

 Avith Avhich children could become familiar in their everyday 

 life. It is to be hoi)ed that steps Avill be taken at an early date 

 for the formation of a strong Popular Plant Names Committee 

 by the Field Naturalists" Section. 



Annual Meeting. — The annual meeting of the Field 

 Naturalists Avas held in the Royal Society's Rooms, North Ter- 

 race, on Tuesday, September 21, AA^hen the Chairman, Dr. C. 

 Fenner, presided over a good attendance. The office-bearers 

 for the ncAv year Avere elected as detailed elscAvhere. The balance- 

 sheet shoAved the finances to be in a satisfactory condition. The 

 Chairman gave an interesting address on " Australites." These 

 curious, small, glassy, button-like forms are found all over 

 southern Australia, and are popularly knoAA^n in some localities 



