THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST: “ 183 
formed me that the weed is more abundant this year than 
‘they have ever known it, owing, probably, to the bountiful 
late winter rains. In flower it presents a remarkable appear- 
ance, resembling a vast field of snow. The manager of Nyn- 
.gan Government Farm states that stock will not eat it unless 
forced by hunger, but that they rapidly fatten on it. The 
-statement is made that a grazier travelling with starving 
sstock, leased a paddock of this weed, and that in six weeks 
‘these became prime cattle. —Nov. 5, 1912. 
EXCURSIONS. 
Como, Sept. 7th.—The excursion was very well attended 
‘and produced some very good results. Before the main party 
arrived, Master Oliver Edwardy was fortunate in finding a 
web of Delias harpalyce Don. on Loranthus growing on 
‘Casuarina, The web had fixed to it 32 freshly turned pupae, 
and one was subsequently found on a twig beneath the tree. 
‘The pupae emerged during the first week of October and 
produced 15 males and 17 females. A pupa of Delias ni- 
grina Fabr. was also found and the butterfly emerged on 30th 
September. Search was made for larva of Ogyris in ants’ 
nests; unfortunately only one was found, attended by Cam- 
ponotus intrewidus. Further details of larvae in ants’ nests 
will be found elsewhere in this issue.—G.A.W. 
* 
RECENT PUBLICATIONS. | 
Frouit-Fiiss, anp Native Fruits.—There has recently been 
issued as Farmer’s Bulletin, No. 55, by the Department of 
Agriculture of New South Wales, a highly interesting and 
important paper by Mr. W. B. Gurney, on the above sub- 
ject. The question of the native fruits which act as hosts for 
fruit pests of various kinds is here carefully worked out, and 
the result is a valuable contribution to a matter of vital im- 
portance to orchardists. We strongly urge all interested 
parties to procure a copy of Mr. Gurney’s paper, which may 
he had free on application to the Department. 
NOTES AND COMMENTS. 
’ SeEps or Zanonia Macrocarrpa —At the October meeting 
“Mr. W. M. Carne exhibited specimens of this and the follow- 
‘ing interesting seeds. A beautiful winged seed, upwards: of 
four inches across the wings. When dropped from a height 
the. seed travels a considerable distance, with a fine gliding 
