513 



and other races, and referred to the pigmentation of the 

 human skin, its causes, and its wide variations in the different 

 world races. The newly-born aboriginal had an almost flesh- 

 like hue, which did not attain the maximum of pigmentation 

 until the eighth or tenth year of age. In the Tomkinson 

 Ranges he had seen full-blooded native children with flaxen 

 oi; golden hair, a phenomenon which had not been satisfac- 

 torily explained. 



On August 21, 1914, the fourth lecture of the Winter 

 series was delivered by Prof. R. W. Chapman, M.A., in place 

 of one by Captain White, who was still absent in Central 

 Australia, on the "Physical Properties of South Australian 

 Timbeis." Prof. Chapman, whose instructive remarks were 

 demonstrated by a number of exhibits, said that "nearly 500 

 timber tests had been made at the Adelaide University, with 

 the object of enabling the authorities to establish a definite 

 comparison between the timbers growing in our State. Some 

 very severe tests, such as 'breaking tests,' compression tests 

 along the grain and against it, and other tests were made in 

 order to find the true value and strength of the timbers for 

 engineering purposes, and for which they had proved them- 

 selves particularly applicable. Some of these tests were extra- 

 ordinary, on account of the strains taken, and various weights 

 from 60,000 to over 100,000 lb. had been taken by small blocks 

 without crushing them. Moisture content was, of course, 

 most important, and all timbers contained over 20 per cent. 

 of water and some as much as 50 per cent., but when timber 

 became seasoned the moisture content receded to 10 per cent, 

 or 12 per cent. This was the moisture standard for seasoned 

 timber, and it rarely varied. Prof. Chapman also said that 

 our Australian timbers for engineering purposes were the 

 finest in the world, and many when dressed and polished were 

 exceedingly handsome. 



Excursions. 



During the past year fourteen field and two marine 

 excursions were held, affording members a wide range for field 

 and marine work. The attendances were satisfactory, and 

 considerable knowledge in natural history subjects was 

 gathered. 



On September 27, 1913, the first excursion of the year 

 took place at Yatala Vale, under the leadership of Dr. R. S. 

 Rogers. The Section had not previously visited the locality, 

 and a deal of interesting flora, including several species of 

 orchids, was collected, and afterwards Dr. Rogers spoke to 

 members about the relationships and the peculiarities of the 

 flowers found. 



