NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18624, 4 August 1922, Page 8

NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB

EXCURSION TO SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL,

The Naturalists' Field Club continued its investigation of the Otago Peninsula on Saturday last in tho vicinity of tho I 1 alien Spldiers’ Memorial column. The removal ot tho heavy bush that formerly grow m this area, has increased the exposure of the re " meaning remnants and of isolated shrubs. Adapting their growth forma to climatic and edaphio conditions numbers of these shrubs havo developed a prostrate habit on the hillside facing tho harbour. This was noticeably tile case with several varieties of Coprosma and Kowlrai, which might here, at first glance, pass for its relative of the Canterbury river-beds (Sophcra prostrate). Even a number of herbaceous plants formerly growing on the forest floor retain their position on the open hillside—e.g., Hydroootylo moschata. The large rock on which the monument is built shelters a number or moisture-loving plants, such, as the marchantia and the stream spleenwort (Aaptemum fluviatilo), but how dry are the conditions of the hillside below it is revealed by the presence of Crassnla subenana, Ou'anivm miorophylluii, and Geranium molle. The trailing spleenwort, usually a bush plant, like its more common cousin the hen-and-chickon fern (Asplcnium bulbiiorum), here grows in the chinks of the most exposed rocks. The forest remnant behind the memorial lacks all tho pines and) . larger timber trees of former days, and consists mostly of those shrubs that usually fringe the bush—viz., various ooprosmas, mapau, melacope, pepper tree (Orimya), oto. The milktree was here almost as abundant as the gooseberry. The less common of our two local myrtles (Myrtus pendunculaia) was represented by a. single specimen, while on the roadside near the monument was noted a specially good plant of the trailing fuchsia (Fuchsia oolensoi), which, like the neighbouring plant of the common fuchsia, was bursting into bloom. Within a radius of a few’ hundred yards from the monument there were noted 57 native plants, including 12 ferns.

INDOOR MEETING. THE FLINDERS RANGE, SOUTH? AUSTRALIA, There was a large gathering at the indoor meeting, when Mr S. Angel, late of the Adelaide Field Naturalists' Society, gave: a bright and breezy account of a visit to the Flinders Range, in October, 1915. Recognising the good work of the society, Mr and Mrs Lindo, station-holders in the back country invited a limited number of members to spend a week or a fortnight at their homestead, thus enabling the party to do research work in the surrounding country. Consequently 14 chosen members—each a specialist in his or her special branch of study—accepted the proffered hospitality, the speaker of the evening, being one of the party. With the aid of a map, Mr Angel explained the geographical situation' of the locality visited, and with an excellent series of photographs illustrated the geological features. Flinders Range,_ he said, is the remains of a vast mountainous system extending the whole length of South Australia. Its insect life represents the connecting link between the tropical and temperate zone, and the country bears evidence of being at one time far more verdant and more prolific in animal life. The average rainfall is 7i inches, and the conditions arid; especially so in tho lakes districts, which consist chiefly of salt clay pans, with little or no water. Various species ot pines, acacias, and wattles represent the larger typo of botanical growth. An interesting tree is the " manna ” gum, whicu derives its name from the honey-like secretions placed by insects upon the bark and inner side of the leaves. This manna-like substance is said to be very refreshing. Ferns are poorly represented, and orchids are almost absent. The two principal weeds are cocksfoot and Salvation Jane, a beautiful blue flower, so named because, when turned upside down, it resembles a Salvation Army bonnet, but even these weeds have provided fodder for starving sheep during periods of draught. _ Mr Angel describes tho music of the birds as most enchanting, and the song thrush and spiny cheeked honey bird were among the songsters mentioned. - A most noteworthy bird is the wedgetailed eagle, which hAs U spread of wings of 9ft. Owing to its cruel habits, it is hated by settlors, and shot at whenever possible. The crow, too, possessed as it is with the cruel habit of picking the eyes out of helpless animals, is also hated, but it somewhat compensates for its evils by devouring large quantities of blow-fly lifrvae. Cockatoos, gallah parrots, and magpies were plentiful, while the curlew could be heard at night, hilt many of these birds fall a prey to tho fox which was introduced for sport Emu tracks were noted, but the party did not come in contact with any live birds. Tho animal life, continued Mr Angel,!was also very interesting, wallabies, kangaroos, and dingos being met with. The marsupial mouse, a nest of which was discovered under a slab of slate rock, was described as an uncommonly beautiful little Animal, having a sha-rp nose and protruding eyes as bright aa diamonds. The mother mouse was about the size of a small rat. The pouch is undeveloped, and is not used by the young. Various reptiles wore encountered, among them being the carpet snake, which is non-venomous. Lizards were plenaiful, , and Mr Angel exhibited some beautifully preserved specimens. Another attractive exhibit was a case of beautiful moths and butterflies, representative specimens of those frequenting the locality at the time of the visit in question. Among them was a specimen of a huge moth (the body alone being nearly the size of a mouse). Tho larvas of this insect is eaten by certain tribes of aboriginals, and. may it bo said, they thrive upon it. Cooked in hot ashes, the grub, known os “ wichoty,” resembles custard. The grub feeds in timber, commencing at the root of tho tree and working upward. It takes three years to mature. Another interesting exhibit was a case of land shells, some of them rare specimens; also a cast of a fossil tooth of the huge marsupial Diprotodon unearthed at Quom, South Africa. Upon resuming his seat, Mr Angel waa greeted with applause. It was pleasing to the local members to hear of the ways and works of a kindred society in another country, and the Dunedin Club is fortunate in having in its midst such a one with so much general knowledge of natural history as Mr Angel possesses. A good deal of general business was dealt with, and it was decided that the next outing would be at Morrison’s Creek.