64 



FIELD NATURALISTS' EXCURSION, 



FIELD NATURALISTS' EXCURSION. 



By J. H. SIMMONDS, Joint Sec. 



November 24th, 1888. 



The fortnightly excursion was made on this date to a small scrub 

 near the Powder Magazine at Eagle Farm. There were 7 present 

 including visitors. The drought still continues to render our col- 

 lections far more meagre than they would otherwise be. Our 

 leader, F. M. Bailey, Esq., has kindly supplied the following list of 

 the plants noticed in flower or fruit. 



Ranunculus lappaceus, 8m., common buttercup ; in flower. 

 Capparis nobilis, F. v. M. This tree was showing a profusion of 



buds, but no expanded flowers were met with. The fruit is 



edible. 



Capparis sarmentosa A . Cunn ; in young fruit. When fully ripe a 

 palatable fruit. 



Vitis nitens, F. v. M., in young fruit. This vine bears a fair 



sized, juicy, acid berry. 

 Vitis acris, F. v. M. ; in flower. 



Lonchocarpus Blackii, Benth ; in flower. The blood- red sap from 



the bark furnishes a dye. 

 Derris scandens, Benth. ; in flower. 

 Melothna Cunninghamii, F. v. M. ; in flower. 

 Opuntia vulgaris, Mill ; in flower and fruit. The richly coloure^ 



fruit was eaten by some of the party and pronounced good. 

 Pavetta indica, Linn. ; in flower. The root of this small tree in 



India has some reputation as a bitter aperient, but is not an 



article of commerce. 

 Morinda jasminoides, A. in flower. Cunn ; 

 Ocelospermum paniculatum, F. v. M. ; in flower. 

 Plumbago zeylanica, Linn. ; in flower. 



jasminum simplicifolium, Font ; in flower. The flowers are very 

 fragrant, and were it not indigenous we might find it in our 

 gardens. 



