483 



the forest areas in Australia and otiier parts of the world, and 

 indicated the immense value of the timber industry. The 

 world's production did not nearly equal the rate of consump- 

 tion, and if the same ratio continued a timber famine must 

 occur. The utility of forest areas in South Australia on a 

 reasonable scale had been proved beyond doubt, and this was 

 Australia's opportunity, because Australia lends itself to tim- 

 ber cultivation. 



April 15, 1913. — The winter course of monthly meetings 

 was resumed on this date, when Mr. E. R. Stanley, Papuan 

 Government Geologist, delivered an address on 'Gleanings 

 from Papua." The lecturer, by means of a large number of 

 lantern slides, was able to illustrate the industrial progress of 

 Papua, the importance of the industries, and the manners and 

 customs of the people. The native fauna was varied, and in- 

 cluded many species not common to Australia. Over 2,000 

 species of native plants were known, and included most of the 

 most valuable of tropical cereals and other plants, which grew 

 in abundance. The mineral resources of Papua were also dealt 

 with, and were shown to be very valuable. A large number 

 of native objects were exhibited by Mr. Stanley. 



May 20, 1913. — Mr. W. J. Kimber gave an address on 

 ''Bivalve Mollusca," which he illustrated with a collection of 

 beautiful shells. The lecturer described the mollusc, which 

 lives in the shell, and the method by which it obtained food 

 from sea water, as well as the means by which the valves were 

 opened and closed. Several exhibits were tabled by the mem- 

 bers, including several found by Mrs. J. F. Mellor on Capri- 

 corn Island; two from the Fijian coast, by Mr. P. H. E. 

 Runge ; and several by Mr. S. Angel. Mr. A. M. Lea ex- 

 hibited a box of beautiful ants, bees, and wasps which were 

 forwarded from Queensland by Mr. F. P. Dodd. 



June 17, 1913.— Mr. H. Basedow, M.D., Ph.D., delivered 

 an address on "Scientific Research in Central and Northern 

 Australia," conducted during his journey to the Northern 

 Territory. The lecturer illustrated the different stages of his 

 trip, the customs of the natives, the geological nature of the 

 country, and many curious and rare na/tive stone carvings and 

 drawings stated to be new to science. On Bathurst Island Dr. 

 Basedow discovered a native burial-ground of four carved 

 pillars, showing the surrounding ground cleared to keep away 

 evil spirits. The geological conditions of the North Coast 

 and some most important scientific discoveries, stated to include 

 those of extinct reptiles, were referred to by Dr. Basedow. 



July 15, 1913. — An interesting address on "Types of Eng- 

 lish Vegetation" was delivered by Mrs. T. G. B. Osborn, M.Sc. 

 Reference was made to the different types of vegetation which, 



