ee 
5 
‘ 
The Australian Naturalist 
Vol. IV. OCTOBER 1,’ eee" —séPart 12. 
NOTE.—Members having any matter of interest suitable for public- 
ation m these pages are requested to communicate with the Editor. 
ORDINARY MEETINGS. 
June Ist, 1920. The President, Miss Le Plastrier, in the chair 
and 47 members present. 
A communication from the Field Naturalists Section of the 
Royal Society of South Australia containing a request for New 
South Wales Native plants for a Wild Flower Show, to be 
held in October, was read. . 
Miss Drummond exhibited specimens of Marchantia from 
Hornsby, growing on decompused volcanic breccia, whieh dis- 
played a more luxuriant growth than plants from the poorer 
soils near Sydney. The exhibitor gave a brief geological des- 
cription of this interesting volcanic formation and its com- 
position. 
Miss Le Plastrier furnished some interesting information 
relative to a series of specimens from Leeton and Griffith, 
forwarded by Bishop Dwyer. 
The President read a paper by Mr. T. Steel -F.L.S., on the 
Mound Ant, Iridomyrmex detectus, Mr. Steel’s observations 
show that these insects collect a large quantity of material from 
various sources to place on their nests. Small gravel of different 
kinds, fragments of cinders and other objects, from the mounds 
were exhibited in illustration. The Secretary read notes for- 
by Mr. Kieth C. McKeown, from the Murrumbidgee Irrigation 
gation Area on the occurrence «f the Aurora Australia as seen at 
Leeton, and entomological observations on the Bag Moth and 
the Mound Ant. 
The meeting resolved that a letter be sent to Professor J. 
T. Wilson, M.B., Ch.M., a member of our society, congratulating 
him upon his appointment to a.distinguished position at Cam- 
bridge University. 
Mr. A. G. Hamilton gave an interesting address on the 
relations of plants and birds. The lecturer showed that birds 
are indebted to plants for food and facilities for resting and 
nesting. In return they afford a measure of protection to the 
