Che Queensland naturalist. 
THE ORGAN OF THE FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB 
AND ITS BRANCHES. 
VoL. IL January, 1921, 
Xo. 5 . 
PROCEEDINGS. 
OCTOBER TO DECEMBER, ]920. 
October 18.— Lecture by Dr. J. Shirley: ‘‘Our Native 
Blacks/' illustrated by lantern slides. The lecture dealt 
generally with the habits and customs of the aborigines. 
November 15.— Largest attendance for the year. It 
was reported that, as a result of the Club's initiative, a 
conference of delegates from many societies had called a 
public meeting in connection with (Queensland’s National 
Parks. Illustrated lectures had been delivered by Dr. 
Shirley and ^Ir. A. II. Chisholm, and speeches by public 
men, after which resolution.s were carried for presentation 
to the ilini.ster for Lands. (A deputation which waited 
upon the ^Minister, shortly afterwards, was very favour- 
ably received. ^Ir. Coyne showed particular sympathy 
with the need for protecting native birds.) 
Lecture for the evening; “Scrub Trees,” by Mr. C. T. 
White, Government Botanist. Lantei^ slides were shown 
and a plea entered for more attention to native tiora in 
the planting of street trees. 
December 11. — Visit to Botanic Gardens. Members 
were met by Mr. E. W". Bick (director) and Mr. C. T. 
White (Government Botanist), and shown all the tiora of 
chief interest. A remarkable clump of prickly-pear 
Opuntia) is growing near the director’s residence, and 
Mr. Bick drew attention to the diseased condition of two 
of the plants, with which experiments are being made in 
the hope of discovering an active enemy of this plant-pest. 
A fine display of caladiums was admired, and much interest 
