128 Wiu.c*. Nar CtiM of «W#ift Lichens 



v» lit 



On the <ypc sheer of B mueifen in Melbourne Herbarium some- 

 one had pencilled "Dujourca madre^oriformisf', and this collection 

 had been j>lace<l in the Dajourca folder. D Tnndreponfvnnis 

 (Wiilf.) Ach. occurs on the alps of Europe and North America, 

 and is really referable to Dxclytitur madrepoyiformis Tuck. (Jl#66). 

 ^ift'ormg ftooi BibOya in ics much thinner branches and unicellular 

 ellipsoid Sp0f&3 (7-10 x 3-4 mic). The new genus is almasc pfer* 

 tainly Of Antarctic origin and «ts occurrence might he anticipated 

 in Tasmania, New Zealand and Fuegia. 



NATIONAL PARKS ACT 



By ). K. Garmst 



Ow OttobeT 25, 395C\ the National Park*. Bill was tossed by the Victoria*! 

 Parliament With its passage has etiderl a phase of the long campaign, com 

 iwmced many years ago by the Field Naturalist*' Club of Victoria ami con- 

 tUiMCd unremittingly by the Club and associated mx&uizaiious — a campaign 

 Stir a better deal 1or our national parks, for the conservation of nature and 

 natural resources. 



We use the term "ptuifc^ 1 advisedly because an Act oE Parliament, o-t itself, 

 can only provide the machinery for establishing WIT nature conservation areas 

 ou a satisfactory oasis. The real jab remains yet 3ts a task (or die future, ami 

 naturalists 'throughout the Sute -will assuredly be called upon to help make 

 the new Act a workable instrument. By reason of their acquaintance with 

 the natural history of the Slate, its geology and physiography, the ecological 

 associations of its flora and fauna, its scenic places and ttyttti of peculiar 

 scientific interest, naturalists can contribute a fund of knowledge which 

 should be of inestimable value to thr^e who are to be appointed lo carry out 

 the provisions of the Act. 



The debates in Parliament on the Bill tended to confirm an opinion already 

 belli by some naturalists, that the F.N.CA* hits been far too modest about th? 

 remarkable contribution it has made to the cause of nature conservation. 

 Perhaps many of the present-Hay members of the Club, as well a* parliamen- 

 tarians, are unaware that Victoria owes lo the F.N.CV. the very existence 

 0$ the majority of our national parks, The long struggle lo have Wilson's 

 Promontory reserved ts recorded in early volume* of the Victcnan Naht'iUist. 

 hut the journal has given little prominence to the representation? by natural- 

 ists and ihe subsequent negcrttaitons which led to the proclamation Of W>v et ** 

 feld r Lakes, Lind. Alfred. Wtin^aa Inlet and Mallacoota Inlet as. well as 

 numerous other important nature reserves. 



Despite the growth f population and the steady development of eeononu 

 rally utilhtable natural resources, there .still remain areas which should b< 

 brought within the .imbii of the National Parks Act All naturalists should he 

 alert to see that such areas are not overlooked when the Authority corn 

 -meiices a task which it surety will undertake at an early date — a survey of 

 the State to determine where new national parks should be established. 



The Act is recognized as an experimental measure, and it remains to be 

 seen how effective its administration will be Much will depoul on the amount 

 of. money the Government wilt be prepared to set aside for the- work (there 

 is no statutory appropriation?) and on the calibre of the individuals chosen 

 to serve on the National Parks Authority. The Act contain* only fifteen 

 clauses but the provisions are suck that its administration should prove- to be 

 reasonably flexible. Sonic of the clauses warrant comment «o that members 

 of thc'Cluh will be able to appreciate 1he rroblems which will confront the 

 new Authority. 



