THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. lil 
botanists; Dr. P. Marshall and Mr. E. Browne, geologists. 
These sub-antarctic islands are, naturally, out of the ordinary 
course of trading ships, and are seldom visited, consequently 
little has been known of their fauna, flora, and geology. 
Unfortunately, the time spent upon the islands was all too 
short —only six days; nevertheless, all worked hard, each in 
his own special line, and this under trying climatic conditions— 
gales, rain and sleet. The zoologists found the fauna of 
Auckland Islands much richer t an their colleagues had found 
that of Campbell Islands. Mr. Hudson obtained a considerable 
collection of insects, and as the entomology of the Auckland 
Islands is practically unknown, they are sure to be of much 
interest to science, and many of them will probably prove to be 
new. The geologists made the interesting discovery of marked 
signs of ancient glaciation, and, further, that the island showed 
distinct evidence of having at one time belonged to a larger 
land area. ‘The botanists climbed to the top of Adams’ Island, 
the more southern of the two larger islands, and although not 
many new plants were discovered, a number of important and 
interesting plant formations were noted. The magnetic obser- 
vations made were, happily, very thorough and complete. The 
sensational experience of the trip was the discovery of cast- 
aways from the wreck of the ill-fated ship Dundonald, the 
account of which has appeared in the columns of the daily press. 
Sus-Anrarcric Tree Ferns —On a previous trip of the New 
Zealand Government ss. Hinemoa to the Auckland Islands, a — 
fragment of the frond of a tree fern—Hemitelia smithii —was 
obtained, but no botanists had ever seen the plant growing. 
Naturally, when the Scientific Expedition referred to above, 
visited the Auckland Islands, the members were anxious to see 
these, the most southernmost tree ferns in the world. 
Accordingly « party went ashore at Norman’s Inlet, 
Auckland Island, where they found, on entering the forest, the 
‘tree ferns growing in abundance ,If there had been any doubt 
before as to the existence of this plant in these southern 
latitudes, this remarkable habitat now 
received ample 
confirmation. 
Tue Anrarcric Expspition.—This expedition, which is 
about to sail from New Zealand, under that gallant and ex- 
perienced South Polar Explorer, Lieut. Shackelton, R.N., is 
one that will doubtless prove of vastimportance to Australia — 
how important it is not possible at present to determine. For 
this reason, and also for the fact that some well-known 
Australian scientists are accompanying it, its welfare, success 
and adventures will be keenly watched. When leaving Sydney 
the other day. en route to Dunedin, where they will join the 
Nimrod, Professor David and his party were given a great 
send-off. Whatever may be the scientific results of the 
expedition, and they should be considerable, members of the 
Naturalists’ Club of N.S.W., will, we are sure, unite in wishing 
