28 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
“The probable explanation was that the ruminants, by 
thoroughly mixing the food with saliva and slowly digesting it, 
were enabled to neutralise the action of the poison and escape 
injury. The seeds probably contained the deleterious principle 
in a greater degree than any other part of the plant.” 
IXCURSION TO WOOLLAHRA POINT, POINT PIPER, 
SEPTEMBER, 1921. 
Miss A. A. Brewster (President) acted as leader, and there 
were 27 present. <A good start was made by a lecturette by the 
leader on what might be observed. 
The Beach Zone was noted as a desert area as regards plant 
life, and also supported a limited amount of animal life owing 
to the absence of protective dominent growths such as oyster 
and tube-worm banks. , 
The general structure rock ravines harbouring different 
fauna and flora, was noted. 
The uppermost zone harboured periwinkles (Melaraphe), 
the middle zone-sea anemones and univalves, chitons, starfish 
and sea lettuce (Ulva), the deeper zone brown seaweeds, Hor- 
mosira, Sargassum, &e. 
The specimens collected were:—Sea anemones (Paractis and 
Oulactis), Sea tube-worm (Galeolaria), Mollusca Neritina, Mono- 
donta, Melcioniscus, Drupa, Policinis, Acmea, Janthina (the lat- 
ter showing egg-floats). The Acorn barnacle (a degenerate 
crustacean) was also noted. 
The work was interrupted by rain, and the party took 
shelter with Mrs. MeMurtie (sister of the President), who kindly 
provided afternoon tea. Mr. Campbell, of Victoria, was a wel- 
come visitor at the excursion, and Miss Hinder brought half-a- 
dozen students. Mr. Parry thanked Mrs. MeMurtie for the 
kind. hospitality, and the President for the trouble taken in the 
arrangements for collecting. 
The President brought for reference the following papers 
on beach fauna:— 
Presidential Address and Check list of Marine Fauna of 
New South Wales, both by C. Hedley, from the Proc. Royal 
Socy. N.S. Wales. ¢ 
EXCURSION TO KILLARA--NOVEMBER, 1921. 
~The leaders at this excursion were the President (Miss A. A. 
Brewster, F.T.C., and Miss Saunders, B.A., while Mr. Parry 
acted as guide. About 27 members were present. 
