123 



desert for the naturalist. A few plants of some interest were- 

 found in flower, viz., Mimulus repens, Heliotropiura Curassavi- 

 cum, L. (the latter previously unknown in the Adelaide dis- 

 trict), and Polygonum minus. Of introduced weeds, Solanum 

 nigrum and the Bathurst burr (Xanthium spinosum), were- 

 specially noticed. 



On arrival at Henley Beach the special tramcar ordered did 

 not make its appearance, owing, as subsequently ascertained, to 

 the carelessness of the manager of the Tram Company ; and 

 the party had to crowd into an ordinary car, reaching town 

 about a quarter-past seven. 



Special Excurstox — Saturday, May 17, 1884. 

 About 50 ladies and gentlemen proceeded by special tramcar 

 to Unley at 2.30 p.m. in order to visit the apiary of Mr. 

 Eobertsou, at his residence, U'nley Wurlie. On arrival, the 

 company were met by Mr. Eobertson, who most courteously 

 conducted them to his collection of hives, showing them both 

 the common dark bee and also the Ligurian, and explained the 

 structure of the hives as well as the interesting economical 

 points connected with the bees and their keeping. When the 

 examination was completed, a vote of thanks was tendered tO' 

 Mr. Eobertson for his kindness. 



jS'ilS'TH EXCTRSIOX SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 1884. 



Between 50 and 60 ladies and gentlemen assembled at the 

 Holdfast Bay platform about 2 p.m., and proceeded to Grlenelg 

 in a special carriage. On arrival at the beach a business meet- 

 ing was held, presided over by Mr. AY. Howchin, E.G-.S., when 

 two new members were elected. The Chairman stated that in 

 the absence of Prof. Tate they were favoured with the presence 

 of Mr. W. T. Bednall, who had kindly consented to give the 

 party the benefit of his extensive knowledge respecting Aus- 

 tralian conch ology. 



After some time the members were again called together,, 

 when iNFr. Bednall named the specimens obtained, mentioning 

 interesting facts connected with their life history. The follow- 

 ing were the more noticeable : — Murex triformis, Trigonia 

 margaritacea, a shell never taken alive in South Australian 

 waters as far as known, though not imcommon in Tasmania, 

 Mactra polita, Soletelliua biradiata, Phasianella australis (the 

 Pheasant Shell), and species of Pecten, Chama, Trochus, 

 Haliotis, Fusus, Nassa, Purpura, Natica, Conns, Cyprrea, Bit- 

 tium, Turritella Siliquaria, Anatina, Yenus, Lucina, Mytilus, 

 and Spondylus. Along the Patawalonga empty shells only of 

 Marcia IcTvigata and Tellina decussata were found. 



