ZU Uictorian naturalist 



Vol. XXIII. —No. 8. DECEMBER 6, 1906. No. 276. 



FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal 

 Society's Hall on Tuesday evening, 13th November, 1906. 



The president, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, occupied the chair, and 

 nearly 60 members and visitors were present. 



REPORTS. 



A report of the botanical excursion to Olinda Vale on Saturday, 

 13th October, was given by the leader, Mr. G. Coghill, who said 

 that, owing to showery weather, the party was not able to get 

 about as well as they would have liked. A large number of 

 plants of ordinary species were obtained in bloom, and on the 

 whole an enjoyable outing resulted. 



A report of the excursion from Bayswater to Ringwood on 

 Saturday, 27th October, was forwarded by the leader, Mr. C. 

 French, jun., who was unavoidably absent. He stated that the 

 excursion was well attended, and a large variety of plants in 

 bloom were collected. A patch of about thirty specimens of the 

 .beautiful blue orchid, Thelymitra aristata, attracted much atten- 

 tion, one spike having no less than thirty-two flowers. Other 

 orchids noted were Caladenia menziesii, Thelymitra ixioides (this 

 also was very fine, and a specimen bearing a double flower was 

 collected for the National Herbarium), T. carnea, T. Jlexuosa, 

 Microtis atrata, and the rare Prasophyllum frenchii. Among 

 other flowers noted were Bossicea prostrata, Dillwynia Jlorihunda, 

 Fultencea gunnii, Utricularia dichotoma, and Viola hederacea 

 with double flowers. Insects were scarce, only a few Carab and 

 Buprestid beetles being seen, doubtless owing to the lateness of 

 the season. 



A report of the junior excursion to Blackburn on Saturday, 3rd 

 November, was forwarded by Mr. C. French, jun., who acted as 

 leader in the unavoidable absence of Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S. 

 The attendance was moderate, but great interest was shown by 

 the juniors in the various objects pointed out to them. The 

 afternoon was devoted to entomology, and the presence of larvae 

 and perfect beetles in the branches of Black Wattles was 

 demonstrated. Attention was given to the destruction caused by 

 gall insects, and opportunity was taken to point out the way to 

 pin and set insects. Among the beetles- taken were the longicorns 

 Uracanthus triangularis, Fhoracantha recurva, Hehecerus, sp., 

 Tryphocaria mastersi, and Epithora dorsalis, together with the 

 Apple Root-borer, Leptops hopei (Curculionidse). A few flowers 

 were collected, and some questions about the land crab, "Yabbie," 

 explained by Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A. 



