485 



hunting is zealously pursued, but it cannot be said that Slape 

 Gully offers a profitable hunting-ground for these flowers, 

 which were found to be sparsely scattered. Twelve species were 

 recorded. On the hillsides were many alien plants growing in 

 profusion, interspersed with colonies of native flora, many 

 species of which were collected for identification later. Several 

 fresh-water shells were found in the creek bed, and these formed 

 the nucleus of an interesting chat by Mr, W. J. Kimber, on 

 "Land Molluscs,'' which included the common snail. Helix 

 aspersay introduced here from Europe, and which is very de- 

 structive in our gardens. The keen smell of these molluscs, their 

 rapaciousness, the fact that they can live years without food 

 (instanced by the famous Sahara specimens that after being 

 glued for five years to cards in the British Museum were found 

 after immersion in lukewarm water to be alive) was commented 

 upon. Mr. Kimber also spoke of the many beautiful tropical 

 land shells that lived in trees and other singular places, and 

 said that owing to the dry climate of South Australia the 

 number of species found was not large. 



On November 27, 1912, the annual outing, which is re- 

 garded as somewhat of a social event, took place at Scott 

 Creek, Mount Lofty. A very enjoyable afternoon was spent 

 through the kind hospitality of the Chairman of the Section, 

 Mr. E. H. Lock, who entertained members at tea. 



On February 15, 1913, a dredging excursion was con- 

 ducted in Culf St. Vincent, opposite the Semaphore, under the 

 leadership of Dr. Pulleine and Messrs. Kimber and Baker. 

 One of the essential features for successful marine work is good 

 weather conditions, which fortunately ruled for the day. Mr. 

 A. G-. Edquist gave a running explanation of all objects 

 brought to the surface by the dredge. An interesting collection 

 was obtained, among which were brightly-coloured sponges and 

 sea-weeds, delicate sea-spiders, hydromedusae, starfish, marine 

 worms of many colours, and sea-urchins of various shapes and 

 sizes. Interesting examples of parasitism were observed, the 

 parasites consisting of minute forms of Crustacea, resembling 

 shrimps. A fine specimen of sea-squirt was captured, an 

 animal having an outer skin of cellulose, a substance common 

 to the plant world, and that, in the later stages of its life, 

 developed a process akin to the backbone of the higher forms 

 of animals, and in all probability represents an ancient form 

 from which the vertebrates were evolved. A small, strange 

 fish, resembling a Blinnie, was caught and forwarded to the 

 South Australian Museum for identification. 



On April 26, 1913, an expedition was conducted by Mr. 

 A. G. Edquist from Upper Sturt, via Waverley Ridge, to 

 Mount Lofty. The autumn tints, which are usually brilliant 



