Report of the Motor Rus Excursion to 
Cochatoo Valley on 12th June , 1950 
A large party of members and friends jour- 
neyed to the Cockatoo Valley area via the 
Torrens Gorge and Williamstown, returning 
by way of Sandy Creek and Gawler. 
A few miles above Athelstone the party 
noticed flowering shrubs of the rare tree-violet 
( Hymenanthera angustifolia) . The spiny 
nature of this plant ensures a certain degree 
of self-protection, and is responsible for a 
striking resemblance to a greyish box-thorn 
bush or a straggling olive tree. 
Silky tea-tree ( Leptospermum pubescens) 
and a white bottle-brush ( Callistemon salignus 
var. australis) grew abundantly in the bed of 
the stream. The characteristic shrubs which 
clothe the steep, rocky sides of the gorge also 
claimed our attention. Species which grow 
amongst the quartzite screes and dripping 
ledges are Xanthorrhea quadrangulata , Poma- 
derris obcordata , Lasiopetalum Baveri and 
Dodonaea viscosa. 
Near Cudlee Creek it was obvious that we 
had entered the domain of Eucalyptus elaeo- 
phora , which forms interesting hybrids with 
closely-allied species. 
A few miles past Williamstown we noticed 
several Cassias beside the road. These usually 
indicate the presence of sand, which we found 
plentiful at our stopping-place in an area of 
virgin scrub. We saw the beautiful Erio- 
stcmon brevifolius in full flower, and the in- 
tricate Prostantkcra chlorantha , bearing its 
unusual green flowers. Both of these shrubs 
are rather rare. Cry ptandra tomentosa was 
also in flower beside the road, while on a hill- 
side an Acianthus and a Pterostylis displayed 
their orchidaceous blooms. 
Late in the afternoon the uncommon adder’s 
tongue fern {0 phioglossum coriaceum ) was 
observed near the whispering wall. A really 
enjoyable day was completed by a wonderful 
view of a brilliant scarlet sunset. 
K. W. T. DUNSTONE, 
(Leader) . 
CORRESPONDENCE 
1 have pleasure in advising you of the re- 
ceipt of five volumes of minutes of your Society 
(13th November. 1883 — 23rd October, 1923), 
which have been deposited at the Archives for 
permanent preservation. These records are, 
of course, available for consultation whenever 
required. — Tours faithfully, 
J. McLELLAN, 
(Archivist) . 
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