January, 1938 The Queensland Naturalist 
79 
increasing until it had formed immense masses in the 
upper reaches of the Bremer River, a tributary of the 
Brisbane, and completely blocked navigation. It is said 
to be an ill wind that does nobody any good, for the local 
farmers who were now very badly off for fodder for their 
stock, commenced to recover this river pest and carted it 
away to feed their cows. 
The Harbours and Rivers Department now took a 
hand, endeavouring to clear the way for navigation, and 
at the same time assist the farmers. The hyacinth was 
removed to the bank by machinery, whence it was quickly 
carted away. 
The ‘ ‘ Mourilyan ’ ’ was towed as far as possible, and 
then warped further, until she was completely stopped, 
and operated from her then position. 
In February, 1937, another report tells us that owing 
to the drought, the salt water penetrated further up the 
river, with the result that in such places the hyancinth 
died, and at the same time crabs and salt-water fish had 
appeared in the upper reaches of the Brisbane and Bremer 
in the now brackish waters. 
Our Museum ichthyologist, Mr. T. Marshall, says 
that sea-fish sometimes penetrate to the fresh water to 
rid themselves of parasites such as sea lice. 
Later on, in mid-March, are accounts of heavy rains 
causing river freshes, which carried large quantities of 
the hyacinth down the river. 
Photographs of the flood water and hyacinth ap- 
peared in the local Press, also of the first boat to reach 
Ipswich for twelve months. 
So at last the conditions became more normal ; rivers 
and lakes were filled, and the remaining wild life was 
enabled to recuperate, which it does in most remarkable 
fashion if not too severely damaged. 
