May 31, 1911. The Queensland Naturalist. 20B 
to grasp the evidences adduced, so that we may have an 
intelligent hold of the reasons upon which the opinion is 
based.. And thus we can either differ from, or strengthen 
his position. So with regard to Botany. An acquaintance 
with it furnishes continual pleasure, as fresh objects of 
interest rise before us. Under such expert interpreters 
as Mr. Tryon, Mr. Wedd, or our young friend Cyril White, 
what tales have the woods not told ? And how specially 
interesting under the circumstances in which they were 
given ? We have learned that just as human beings carry 
their peculiarities of garb and language to whatever land 
they go, so some of these trees ar;d shrubs tell of- other 
climes from which they came, before the bridge across 
Torres Strait was broken,- ■ and Australia insulated^the 
Queen of the Southern Seas. These denizens ...have not 
forgotten to clothe themselves in garments of the pattern 
worn by their relatives in other lands than these. And 
how pleasant it is to find in some quiet nook sOme plant 
or fiower, identical with some we knew in another land 
and in a cooler clime ! They *wake keen memories of bygone 
days, when the glamour of youth lay over us, and Nature’s 
aspects and voices thrilled us even more 'deeply than they 
do now. And the old pictures are made all the more dis- 
tinctive by the gay shrubs and gorgeous fiowering trees 
of our present almost tropical home. ■' 
And are we not fortunate in having always at our 
service's© experienced and capable an Entomologist .as.'our 
very retiring member, Mr, lllidge, always ready and.evbr 
willing to lead and advise any one upon the beautiful 
moths and butterflies that come to cheer us with their 
company. How often he has pointed out those plants 
which for some mysterious reason are chosen in preference 
to others for nurseries and nourishment for their young. 
The unfolding of the plant tlius is linked with the unfold- 
ing of the insect. Isolation does not exist in nature. The 
bud opens its gorgeous petals, and speaks inqts still strong 
voice of colour-tone to the gay winged insect fioating, upon 
the breeze. Ereely its cup of nectar is held out for the 
detached— the motile — flowers to drink, and be satisfied. 
Each responds to the other. The one gives, its be$t. the 
other gladly receives it,, and joyously goes on its way. 
A lesson fraught with much meaning. 
So let us strive to maintain the many-sided continuity 
of our Club. As alb sciences' are only mapjfestatii^'ns^^f 
Nature's, one. grbat spirit,, so ■m^v^viuLg paths 'let"^ us putsue 
the one, great ^objec^t—th^. lino wljcdgb wCf love, 
all things aroiind. Ihdividuaily^ may''npi^^ ^ 
to, advance .any ; science,' but ; do' not ’let that iiiscqtirage 
us. it we have no fat portfolios of plants, copiplete se<j- 
tipns lmttej;flies^ series .of, r^C^^ niinerals. toj^h^^^^^ 
