877 



sea-life were secured. They included Crustacea, brightly- 

 ooloured sponges and seaweed, hydromedusa, starfish, sea 

 urchins, and marine worms. 



On April 24, 1915, a botanical excursion was held at 

 Aldgate, under the leadership of Mr. W. H. Selway. The 

 gardens of Mr. W. H, Bagot were visited, and a study made 

 of the large collection of European trees growing there. A 

 visit was also made to Mrs. Caley Smith's Nursery, where a 

 very great variety of dahlias, mostly in full bloom, was 

 inspected. Mr. Selway, with the aid of specimens collected, 

 addressed the members on the subject of "Leaves and their 

 Life History," with special reference to "autumn tints." He 

 first dealt with the development of the young bud and then 

 the history of the young leaf, the various positions it assumes, 

 and its process of sugar manufacture. The function of the' 

 stomata, the action of the protoplasm, and the colouring pro- 

 perties of the chlorophyll were also pointed out. The varying 

 venation of the leaves, their shape, variety, and colour, as 

 ^ell as the causes for their autumnal colouring, were 

 explained. 



On May 10, 1915, under the leadership of Mr. A. R. 

 Riddle, an excursion was made to the valley of the Sturt 

 River, primarily to study the Cambrian glacial beds. Just 

 above these, in the Cambrian series, the Tapley Hill ribbon- 

 slates are well seen in a quarry which was visited. Further up 

 the valley the almost unique glacial beds come into view. 

 Mr. Riddle said the beds were of exceptional interest, and 

 that for most of the knowledge which we to-day possess 

 respecting them tribute must be paid to the pioneering indus- 

 try of Mr. Howchin. In addition to the many glacial 

 phenomena, the general physiographic features were made the 

 subject of short lecturettes from Mr. Riddle. At a waterfall 

 some interesting pot-holes were observed in the rock, and in 

 the bottom of the holes were noticed the small stones which, 

 "under the movement caused by the water swirling around, 

 were slowly making the holes larger. 



On June 7, 1915, a M^hole day's excursion was held at 

 Forest Range, but owing to the inclemency of the weather 

 little field work was done. The leader, Mr. E. H. Lock, 

 F.R.H.S., contributed a paper upon 'The Commercial Value 

 of our Stringybarks," and much valuable information was 

 gathered from it. 



On June 28, 1915, a geological excursion was made under 

 the leadership of Mr. P. H. E. Runge (Hon. Secretary) to 

 Williamstov/n. The journey was taken to Gawler by train 

 and then by motor through Williamstown to the site of the 



