74 The South Australian Naturalist. 



miles) between Wynbring and Ooldea, the second region; and 

 the great Nullarbor Plain (140 miles of which were traversed) 

 formed the third series dealt with. The first was open mulga, 

 saltbush, and bluebush country; the second mallee, with dense 

 vegetation; and the last section limestone land, with a bluebush 

 and saltbush plain, treeless and riverless. The vegetation was 

 of typical desert character, and many interesting species were 

 collected, including one believed to be new to science. 



Excursion, June 27, 1921. — A full-day visit was paid to 

 Port Noarlunga, under the leadership of Messrs. W. J. Kimber 

 and A. G. Edquist. The attention of the party was naturally 

 devoted to a consideration of the three separate series of marine 

 organisms that may be studied there. In the cliffs abundant 

 fossils occur in two series of rocks: the middle tertiary and a 

 later fslightly unconformable) series. Along the shore are 

 abundant representatives of the shore life of the present day. 

 In addition, somethii^g of fresh interest to naturalists was found 

 in the general physiography of this well-known excursion 

 ground. Altogether the outing was a most enjoyable one. 



Excursion, July 9, 1921. — A body of field naturalists 

 visited the Adelaide Museum. They were welcomed by the 

 Director (Mr. E. R. Waite). A collection of postage stamps 

 imprinted with representations of characteristic animals of 

 many ])arts of the world was first inspected. The scientific 

 reports of Sir Douglas Mawson's Australasian antarctic expe- 

 dition were shown. The first four parts were printed in Ade- 

 laide, but the failure of a new Government to honour the 

 promise of its predecessor resulted in the remainder being 

 j>roduced in Sydney, and in consequence the Adelaide Museum 

 lost the majority of Sir Douglas's fine collection. The peculiar 

 forms of life found in antarctic seas afforded considerable 

 interest to the visitors, and the new case, now in preparation, 

 showing seals, gulls, penguins, etc., brought from Antarctica, 

 was inspected and greatly admired. Mr. A. M. Lea showed 

 members some specially fine cases of Australian beetles, moths, 

 and butterflies, and some time was also given to the inspection 

 of portion of the collection recently presented by Mr. W. 

 White, of the Reedbeds. 



Lecture, July 19, 1921. — Professor Wood-Jones delivered 

 a lecture on the question of the origin of the coral islands and 

 reefs. The professor illustrated his remarks with occasional 

 lantern views. He first outlined the wonderful theory that 

 had been put forward by Charles Darwin, and which had held 

 sway in scientific circles practically from then till now. This 



