5 . 
Orchid. The spring shrub Native Gorse (Dariesin 
ulicenia) was in flower* as was the sweet-scented 
Purple Heath flower (Tetratheca pilosa) and the 
Twining |>ove (Comesperma volubile). The small 
Sundew (Drosera ausiculata) was abundant in moist 
spots, and another orchid not noted above was the 
peculiar Little Spider (Acianthus candatus). One 
example only of the Iris (Diplanhena morcea) was in 
flower, so far; next month there will be a profusion 
of Blue Lily (Dianella tasmanica) and Guitar Plant 
(Lomatia fraseri). The scented Y/attle (Acacia 
suaveolens) was in flower, and the Varnish Wattle 
(A. vernicuflua) blooming everywhere. Birds noted 
were:- Whistling-Dicks or Shilce Thrushes, Pan-tailed 
Cuckoos trilling sweetly from the trees, and Yellow- 
throated Honey-Eaters calling from gum saplings. 
Several brownish birds with white on wings, flew 
swiftly among the trees, not giving any chance cf a 
close view; perhaps Dusky Robins (Petroica Vittata). 
On Saturday, September 4th, a visit was paid to 
the old Aboriginal camping site at Mersey Bluff. 
Several small stone scrapers, in quartzite and 
breccia, were found. After staying a couple 
of hours, a move was made to the top of the Bluff for 
the purpose of examining the aboriginal rock 
''carvings" on the diabase. These "carvings" consist 
of geometrical patterns, ovals, and double circles. 
Members also went to inspect some rock markings at the 
back of the old garden. 
ASTRONOMY , 
By Chas, Elliott. 
When we look at the sky on a clear night we see 
a great many stars. What are they? They are suns 
like out own sun, though many are much larger, our 
sun being a comparatively small one. They are 
molten masses of fire, radiating great heat and 
ligftt, and having a great gravitational pull. Pro¬ 
bably some of them have a Solar or Planetary System» 
