THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 189 
broken open. This is quite a common occurrence with this 
family of insects. At first I used to think it was because the 
supply of silk left in their body was not sufficient to make 
another cocoon of the original type; but since I have considered 
the amount of silk in some of these hammocks, I have altered 
my opinion somewhat. I now think it is more, that the insect 
has arrived at a stage of development, that it is not capable 
of the movements necessary to enable it to construct the ori- 
ginal type of cocoon, and it has to be contented with a one- 
sided structure. However, they appear to be comparatively 
happy in it, and often complete their development. In some 
cases the extra draw on their body, for this extra supply of 
silk proves too’ much for them, and causes them to dry up  be- 
fore they can complete their development. Although the old 
cocoons are left in the jar, and one would think it would be 
easier and better for them to crawl back and try and repair, 
or put up with the old one, they do not choose to do so. I 
have put them back myself and they would come out again. 
EXCURSION, SUTHERLAND TO COMO. 
The monthly excursion on 5th July, attended by 21 en- 
thusiasts, took the form of a walk from Sutherland to Como, 
under the leadership of Miss R. Winter and Mr. BE. H. Zeck. 
Keeping to the ridge on the west side of the railway the. 
typical poor sandstone country is fairly rich in those hardier 
types of Australian flora which seem to exist on nothing, but 
which have, through ages of hardship, adapted themselves to 
survive under such unfavourable conditions. | Conspicuous 
among these were Epacris microphylla in full bloom. Other 
early flowerers were Lysinema pungens, Acacia juniperina, A. 
suaveolens and A. rubida. The needlebush, Hakea acicularis, 
was flowering profusely for another crop, while still carrying 
the unopened seed cases of past years—a characteristic com- 
mon to a number of our bush plants and trees. Of the Dill- 
wynias, ericifolia was the only one showing bloom. After 
crossing the railway and descending from the ridge into re- 
gions less exposed, the changed appearance of the bush was 
quickly noticed. While the billy boiled a small creek nearby 
was explored, and from its vicinity were taken some early 
specimens of Boronia ledifolia, Eriostemon scaber, Chloranthus 
sp., Bauera rubioides, Conospermum longifolium and Isopogon 
anemonefolia, all eager to display their gratitude for the im- 
proved conditions prevailing here. 
