NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 24933, 3 August 1943, Page 6

NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB

THE FUTURE OF MAN At the indoor meeting of this club an address was given by Dr Turner, his subject being 'The Future of the Earth as an Abode for Man.' Geologists can trace the existence of life for some Jiundred million years, the speaker 6aid. The struggle for existence caused many animals to die before completing their life cycle. Mammals have a short- average life cycle, and homo sapiens (man) is almost at the beginning of his racial life cycle. Because of his highlydeveloped brain man has been able to use his powers of invention and condition things to suit his environment. He has used scientific methods in the struggle against bacteria and has succeeded. In the fight against disease the medical profession has examined questions scientifically,' but the fact that man seems incapable of treating political things scientifically bodes ill for the progress of the human race. In social transactions —man against himself—he does not seem capable of rising to the top; he seems to have reached the height of his achievement. It is difficult to see the future, but man may profit by history, and the solution may come from some corner of the earth. Dr Turner was thanked by Mr Tily on behalf of the club for his interesting and able address. SATURDAY'S OUTING. A portion of the Town Bait near The Clear was visited by members on Saturday. Very much interest was taken in two mistletoes (tupcia ■ antartica) which was parasitic on the carpodetus trees, and korthalsella salicorniodes, on the manuka. An inspection was made of the bird table at 30 Stonelaw Terrace, and the methods used for feeding the birds explained. Special attention was given to the cage used in the trapping and ringing of silvereyes. The manner of keeping bird records was demonstrated by Mrs Tily, the club's bird recorder. Duplicate records of the work being done for the Ornithological Society of New Zealand have been mado for the Naturalists' Field Club.