49 
June 80, 1908. The Queensland Naturalist. 
It is peculiar that on Tambourine Mountain only, and 
at a few places on the Johnstone River, species of Chinese 
rice-cloth plants or Rhea fibre have been found. Do these 
mark ancient settlements of some superior race, afterwards 
exterminated by the Australian black 'I On Tambourine 
the Rhea grows along Guanable Creek, formerly it was 
restricted to its lower course through the scrub, now it 
is also found around and above the Falls. 
Orchids are numerous and beautiful. On the ground, 
the most striking species, and one easily grown, is a Calanthe 
with broad parallel-ribbed leaves, and a bunch of large 
white flowers. Other ground orchids are purple and blotched 
with darker spots, flesh-coloured, sulphur coloured or white. 
On trees and rocks are the rock-lily or Dendrobum speciosum 
with its grand sprays of yellow and scented flowers ; and 
many species of the same genus may be seen attached to 
the bark of trees. On rocks near the Cathedral Falls, the 
beautiful violet bells of Bolbophylliim Cecilia are much 
admired ; and common on scrub trees are its ally 
Bolbophyllum exiguum, its pesudo bulbs like beads on the 
thread of its rhizome, each bearing a single leaf and a spray 
of ivory-coloured flowers. 
Stinging trees of two species, and native and imported 
nettles are common. The cunjevoi grows near to provide 
a remedy for their stings. 
Ferns are everywhere, from the tree-fern, whose stem 
may reach a height of twenty feet, to the tiny little Doodia, 
with its rough frond of a few inches. Elk-horn, staghorn, 
and bird-nest are among the most common. There are 
Polypodiums spotted on the back with small browm heaps 
of spore cases ; Aspleniums with spore-cases along the 
principal veins ; Pteris with a thin edge of spore-cases 
covered by a membrane along the edges of the fronds ; 
Blechnum with spore-cases in lines along the mid-rib : and 
Davallia, with beautiful little shiny cups to hold them. 
SCHOOL EXCURSION. 
In continuation of its policy of assisting scholars to 
study Natural History in the field, the Club deputed a leader 
to attend a geological excursion, organized by the Head 
Master of the South Brisbane Boys’ State School (Mr. J. A 
Briggs) on 3rd April. About forty boys, who had pre- 
viously received elementary instruction in the science, 
accompanied by Mr. L. C. Green, M.I.M.E., etc., the Club’s 
representative, visited the Railway Wharves, Soutli Bris- 
bane, where a profitable afternoon was spent in studving 
the geological features presented. 
