42 THE GEELONG NATURALIST. 
fronds, and are called sporangia or thecae. The sporangia often 
appear in clusters, termed sori. When mature, the spore cases 
burst and liberate the spores. Each spore, when it is placed in 
suitable conditions, germinates, and gives rise to a green leaf- 
like expansion, from which a number of small rootlets arise. 
This expansion is called prothallus, and from its under side 
small bodies called antherozoids (or male cells) move towards 
the female cells and fertilize them, and from this arises the 
young fern, while the prothallus —having served its purpose of 
nourishing and supporting the young fern—dies. 
ON THE NECESSITY OF MORE FREQUENT FIELD 
EXCURSIONS. 
This is a matter which deserves the attention of members of 
this Association. In the first place, if we wish to progress in 
the various branches of Natural History, it is absolutely essen- 
tial that we should prosecute our studies in the field more than 
in our meeting room ; because in the field we will have oppor- 
tunities of ascertaining more accurately the surroundings of 
the specimens we are in search of, and upon which we are 
devoting our attention for purposes of scientific investigation. 
And when in the field, if there should happen to be in the 
company a member possessing only a small amount of en- 
thusiasm, that spark will probably be fanned into a flante that 
is bound to develop his inclinations to the mutual benefit of 
himself and the Association. But further than this, there is 
not one among us but can learn something from Nature upon 
every visit to her domain, even though he be regarded a veteran 
in the school. Then, again, much is to be gained by noting the 
comparison of our district with another, it matters notin what- 
ever branch of our studies. In noticing carefully the features 
of different localities, experience so teaches us that without 
going into close investigation we may know what to expect by 
a merely superficial observation. With regard to season, it is 
necessary for some of the branches of Natural History, to be 
properly studied, that we visit the forest or the sea-shore at all 
times of the year; in fact, whenever opportunity offers. Even 
should we have to wade through swamps, and so on, some 
unexpected discovery will amply recompense any little incon- 
venience we may experience. It is not imperative that we 
travel a great distance, or encroach upon our business hours, as 
we have material in our public parks or along the shores of our 
Bay, and when taking a walk, or in other ways passing along 
these unnoticed highways of study, much information may be 
gleaned. Still wider scope is afforded by a run out by rail 
to some of the more rustic retreats, and we would be em- 
bracing the concession kindly granted by the traffic manager 
for our benefit 
