NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 18230, 21 March 1923, Page 8

NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB

01*0X11 AT BCTHCXFS Ol’I.K. The first outing of the season of the Dunedin Naturalists’ Field Club on March 17 was very well attended, and a pleasant afternoon was spent at Bethune's Gully. Owing to the recent wet weather there wero not many insects about, hut. the usual number of grubs, beetles, etc., wl leli occur in such localities were met with. The grubs of the tiger beetle, watching for prey, were very interesting. This crub lives ‘in holes in sunny cl aybanks.' It has a disc-shaped head which is usually smeared with clay. On warm clavs it waits with its head at the mouth of its hole for any unsuspecting insect which may settle 'within reach of its powerful jaws. The mature beetle is a very active customer, [uirj, also preys upon flies and other insects, sometimes much superior to itself in size. The clear stream which flows through the bush and l among uusEt-eovered rocks is very picturesque, and quite a number of beautiful ferns wore noted. Some very good specimens of tree-fern? grow here, and a rare filmy fern, Trichomanes C'olensoi (also reported from Fraser's Creek), grows in this locality, Bellbirds were singing, and other small birds—tomtits, fan tails, waxeyes, etc.—were plentiful. Three species of orchids—Farina (which grows on. tree trunks!, Corvsanthes, ami Ptcrostylis—were collected. INDOORS MEETING. At the indoors meeting lick! on Monday evening the Hon. G. M. Thomson presided over a large gathering of members, and; also addressed the meeting, Liking as his subject ‘Field Naturalists.’ The lion, gentleman outlined tho biography of four men who had justly earned tor themselves this distinguishing title. Those selected were Gilbert White, born at Hampshire in 1720; Izaak Walton, born in Stafford in 1595; Robert Dick, horn in Tullibody in 1811 ; Thomas Edwards, born in Banff. Aberdeenshire, in 1814. Gilbert Whites great work, ’The Natural History of Selhonip,' is well known, and recognised as a classic. It is a collection of letters written liv him to Pennant, the naturalist, and to tho Hon. Haines Harrington. Later ho write ‘The Antiquities of Belbnnie.’ J/.aak Walton’s name will ever be famous for his work, which ranks as a classic, 'The Compleat Angler, or the Contemplative Man's Recreation,’ The speaker dwelt briefly upon the individual lives and works of tiie four men already named, and 1 stories of their childhood days and extract? from their books held the interest of all present. In those early days there were no laws to prevent, children of tender years from being put to work and employed long hours, Tkliication, as wo now know it, was unknown then ; but from early childhood the love of Nature, was so imbued in these men that no hardships could quel! their appreciation of the wonderful things with which the Creator had surrounded them. The lecturer sought to impress upon his hearers that now, as then, nothing in (ho world of Nature is 100 insignificant to he noted. ’’ Nature is an open book, which ho who runs may read." The utilitarian aspect, _ cither of education or of anything else, is noMhe one that makes most for happiness. The man who looks at life from a mercenary point of view lias shut his mind awav from the best and most, enduring joys of life. At tho close of his address tho Hon. Mr Thomson was accorded a very hearty vole of thanks. Amongst correspondence dealt with was a letler from Captain Sanderson, of Wellington, soliciting the. interest of all Nature-lovers in a dominion-wide movement for the, protection of our native birds from wanton destruction. Air Williams had some very interesting exhibits, all from Auckland—a. huge spider, two stick insects {male and female, the hitter being four inches long), and two mantis or “ praying insects.” The last-named were, alive ; thev nro bright green in color, and prey on flies am! other insects. They derive tho name of ” praying insects ” from the reverent posture in which they place their [rout kgs. A camp'for Easter is being arranged,-to he held at Kvaosdalo, and those remaining in town purpose meeting at Manse street at 9 a.m. on Kan ter Saturday, mid proceeding to Swampy Hill. The next general outing will be held at Goat Island on April 14.