20 
The South Aiistralmn Naturalist. 
\’ISIT TO MR. E. ASHBY^S AT BLACKWOOD. 
SEPTEMBER 12. 
A large number of members visited Mr. Ashby’s residence at 
Blackwood. Though the afternoon proved stormy the visitors 
braved the rain and wind in their anxiety to see the many won- 
derful plants from various parts of the world which Mr. Ashby has 
succeeded in growing in the various beds. A very large number 
of plants native to Australia are in thriving condition, as well 
as desert and Alpine types of plants collected on Mr. Ashby’s 
various journeys to out-of-the-way spots on the earth’s surface. 
EXCURSION TO NATIONAL PARK, SEPTEMBER 26. 
A pleasant afternoon was spent at the National Park. Mr. 
A. M. Lea, of the Museum, conducted the party in the quest for 
the life of the underwood. Spiders of several species were found, 
their colors harmonizing in a wonderful way with their surround- 
ings. The black variety with a bright red stripe along the centre 
of the back is capable of inflicting a very painful bite and their 
brillant colours serve as a warning to unwary observers, whereas 
the sober coloured species is anxious only to escape notice. Ants, 
too, were busy: the ferocious warrior, or bulldog, needs to 
be carefully manipulated with tweezers if one does not wish to 
suffer In the cause of science. Meat ants were also observed. 
The great mounds of the termites, the so-cafled “white ants”, were 
numerous. These mounds in tropical countries attain large dim- 
ensions and assume fantastic shapes, as of cathedrals or towers. 
The city gardener stated that many imported trees were attacked 
by them. Many of the trees in the park are suffering from the 
depredations of the tiny gall insects, the larvae of which pierce 
the leaves, causing the sap to exude, forming characteristic nodules 
and draining the lifeblood of the tree. Beetles of several types 
were found, cockroaches, and weevils also. A twisted bunch of 
the larvae of the sawfly was discovered on a branch. This crea- 
ture defends Itself in much the same way as the skunk or the 
cuttlefish by ejecting an offensive fluid which effectively 
puts an end to further* pursuit. Moths and grass- 
hoppers were observed, but the weather was too cold for 
butterflies. “The Devil’s coachhorse” (Xantholinus, yellow lined) 
was a rare find. Several beautifully-coloured fungi, including the 
“Jew’s ear” fungus was generally admired. Native flowers were 
seen in great variety. Orchids included the dainty C'aladenia, pop- 
ularly known as “spiders,” the modest Pterostylis or greenhood, 
the quaint Druris (double tailed), and the gorgeous Thelymitra 
grandifloraj Tetratheca pilosa, Hibbertia, and Pultenaea were ab- 
undant. Caesia vittata, Scaevola, Btdbine bulbosa were also not- 
ed. 
