BK&y a&bii sggewHhjhm DLTlffiffljT .H' '. .# /■ 'h I; I 1 ■ 4\ PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY ISSUED 20th MAY, 1936. PRICE : FIFTEEM SKILLIPfGS. Printed lor the Society by DAVID V/HYTE, Government Printer, Brisbane. NOTICE TO AUTHORS 1. Each paper should be accompanied by the author’s name, degrees and official address. 2. Papers must be complete and in a form suitable for publication when com- municated to the Society and should be as concise as possible. 3. Papers must be accompanied by an abstract of not more than one hundred words. 4. Papers should be in double-spaced typescript on one side of the paper with ample margins. 5. The use of italics in the text should be restricted to generic and specific names, foreign words and titles of periodicals. 6. The cost of author’s corrections to proof above what the Council considers a reasonable amount, must be borne by the author. 7. Unless otherwise specified each author will be supplied with fifty separate copies of his paper. Any number exceeding this may be obtained at approximately cost price. • 8. All references should be listed at the end of each paper and arranged alphabetically under authors’ names, e.g,y Keilin, D. (1929) Proc. Eoy. Soc. B, vol. 104, p. 207. Lesage, P. (1895) Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot., vol. 1, p. 309. The corresponding references in the text should be: ‘‘Keilin (1929)”, “Lesage (1895)”. • 9. The size of the printed plate will not exceed 8 in. x 4^ in., and drawings may be to this size, or preferably to ai convenient small multiple thereof. The effect of the necessary reduction on lettering and fine detail should be borne in mind. Text figures should be drawn for reduction to a width not exceeding 4 in. 10. Drawing in line should be executed in intensely black ink, such as good India ink, on a smooth surface, preferably Bristol board. Excessively fine, scratchy or faint lines are to be avoided. Tints or washes cannot be reproduced in line drawings, in which the maximum degree of contrast is necessary. 11. Drawings or photographs for reproduction in half-tone should, where possible, be grouped for reproduction on one plate. They should be done or mounted on a smooth surface, such as Bristol board, as the grain of most drawing papers becomes visible on reproduction. Single photographs should be sent flat and unmounted. AH prints should be on glos8y bromide or gas-light paper. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND FOR 1935. VOL. XLVII. ISSUED 20lh MAY, 1936. PRICE ; FIFTEEN SHILLINGS. Printed for the Society by DAVID WHYTE, Government Printer, Brisbane. The Royal Society of Qyeensland. Patron : HIS EXCELLENCY, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL THE EIGHT HONOUEABIiE SIE LESLIE OEAIE WILSON, G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., P.C., C.M.G., D.S.O. OFFICERS, 1935^1936. President : EOBEET VEITCH, B.Se., F.E.S. Vice-Presidents : J. S. JUST, M.I.M.E. Professor J. K. MUEEAY, B.A., B.Sc. Agr, IS on. Treasurer: E. W. BICK. Son. Secretary: F. A. PEEKINS, B.Sc. Agr. Hon. Librarian: E. A. O’CONNOE, M.Sc. Hon. Editors: W. H. BEYAN, M.C., D.Sc. D. A. HEEBEET, D.Sc. Menfihers of Council: L. S. BAGSTEE, D.Se., H. A. LONGMAN, F.L.S., E. O. MAEKS, B.A., B.E., M.D., J. E VICKEEY, M.Sc., Ph.D., C. T. WHITE, F.L.S. TruMees: F. BENNETT, B.Sc., J. B. HENDEESON, F.I.C., A. JEFFEEIS TUENEE, M.H. Hon. Auditor: A. J. M. STONEY, B.E.E. BanTcers : COMMONWEALTH BANK OP AUSTEALIA. CONTENTS. Volume XL VII. Pages, No. 1. — Presidential Address: By J. S. Jmt, MJ,E. Amt. . 1-10 No. 2. — The Significance of pH Putrefactive Grade Test in Bacterio- logical Water Analysis: By W. T. Eodertson .. .. 11-17 No. 3. — A Suggested Co-Enzyme Hypothesis for the Eipening of Fruits, BY Ethylene Gas Treatment: By L. J. Lyneh, B.So. Agric. 18-24 No. 4. — Nev7 Australian Lepidoptera: By A. Jefferis Turner, M.D., E.F.E.S. . . . . . . . . 25-50 No. 5. — Contributions to the Queensland Flora, No. 5: By C. T. White 51-84 No. 6. — Essential Oils from the Queensland Flora — Part VI. — Eremocitrus glauca: By L. F. HitcUeoch, M.So., and T. G. H. Jones, D.Sc., A.A.C.1 85-88 No. 7, — Notes on Some Pasture Problems of Western Queensland: By S. T. Blaike, M.Sc 89-91 No. 8, — Essential Oils from the Queensland Flora, Part VIII. The Identity of Melaleucol with Nerolidol: By T. G. E. Jones, D.Sc., A.A.C.I., and J. M. Harvey, B.Sc. .. .. 92-93 Eeport of the Council . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . v.-vii. Abstract of Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . viii.-xix. List of Library Exchanges . . . . . . . . . . . . xx.-xxii. List of Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxiii.— xxvii. / r VoL. XLVII., No. 1. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland. Presidential Address. BY J. S. Just, M.I.E.E., M.I.E., Aust. {Delivered before the Royal Sooiety of Queensland, 2^th March, 1935.) The Councirs report, presented this evening, whilst indicating satisfactory progress, also discloses the smallness of our numbers. There are Queenslanders who should be sufficiently interested in the work of this Royal Society to make association with it both instructive and of interest, and we would like to welcome them as members. Your CounciEs report also refers to the loss by death of two of its members. Professor B. D. Steele, F.R.S., who in 1910 was appointed first holder of the Chair of Chemistry, University of Queensland, and the first president of the Board of Faculties. Professor Steele made some notable contributions to science, and during the war served his King and country. In the passing of Sir Edgeworth David, K.B.E., C.M.G., D.S.O., D.Sc., LL.D., a corresponding member of this Society, the world mourned the loss of a great scientist and explorer, the army the loss of a great and gallant soldier, whilst those who were privileged to know him, study under him, or serve under him, the loss of a very dear and understanding friend. Professor David’s researches in the Hunter River district contri- buted greatly to the material wealth of the Commonwealth, and through tile inspiration of his teaching and the nobility of his character he stimulated the thought and won the affection of all. Australia has lost two esteemed scientists and worthy citizens. One obligation attached to the high honour of being your President during the year just closed is that I shall to-night present to you what time-honoured custom has been pleased to call a ^ ‘ presidential address. ’ ’ The Royal Society of Queensland is, first and foremost, a scientific society, and the interchange and advancement of scientific knowledge may rightly describe the ambit of our activities. Many past presidents, in presenting their addresses, have placed before you valuable research work of great scientific interest — work with which they personally have been very closely associated. Since my association is rather with the commercial application of scientific findings, as applied to engineering problems than with purely scientific research work, I am prevented from following such excellent examples. KlOV 5 1936 2 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. My term as your President commenced with the completion of the first fifty years of this Royal Society of Queensland, and I feel that it would be appropriate to review, in the limited way which time will permit, the prog^ress during those fifty years of scientific research and its commercial application, especially in the field of engineering, and to touch lightly upon the economic and social obligations arising there- from, including problems arising from the apparent effect of scientific progress in relation to our social welfare. These are questions occupy- ing the present attention of all thinking people. Scientific advancement has crowded into a short space of fifty years a greater amount of applied science of economic importance than can be credited to a similar previous period. These scientific attainments have brought with them a greater amount of social change than can be credited to many times fifty years in all preceding history. It is because these social changes are so closely allied with our commercial and economic existence that I am taking the liberty, towards the close of my address, of going beyond science and of touching lightly on social and economic changes. Believing the laws of nature have ordered that progress or change is not made by leaps or revolutions, but rather, like the growth of a snowball, by a multitude of minute additions to our knowledge, perhaps some useful purpose might be served by looking backwards and briefly touching on those material achievements or additions to our knowledge which have come into the everyday lives of the people, and selecting from the very wide variety available a few typical examples. In its attempt to create more comfort and leisure for mankind, the combined scientific and economic advance is a striking, concrete, convincing, and tangible evidence of the value of scientific knowledge, as suchj when applied to everyday affairs. I think it may safely be stated that all electrical progress, excepting the great initial discoveries of Faraday, Kelvin, and their contemporaries, is the direct result of man’s activity during the past five decades - in fact, electricity was scarcely more than a thing in embryo when this Society held its first meeting during 1884. In other fields of applied science we find that fifty years ago there were no internal combustion engines of commercial note or worthy to be called tools of marked utility, no automobile or aircraft industry, no steam turbines; and that steam, although an enormous source of mechanical power, was inefficiently employed in relatively small units very akin to the things evolved by Watt. Chemistry, perhaps the oldest of the sciences as adapted to human interest, was still an industry dealing in simple processes with a rela- tively limited list of materials largely inorganic in nature. Photography as we know it to-day did not exist, whilst such indus- tries as the manufacturing of paper and pottery, ancient though they may be, had not advanced very far from the progenitors of ancient times. Agriculture was still practised by primitive methods handed down from generation to generation. There Avas little real understanding of the chemical control of the soil or soil mechanics, or of the possibilities of producing new species almost at will, whilst disease or insect control and the vast markets of the world, now made possible by refrigeration and fast transport by land and sea, and even through the air itself, were beyond the horizon of the imagination. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 3 Such gigantic progress did not happen by pure chance ; likewise, substantially nothing of great value happened merely through the opera- tion of the so-called inventive faculty — that unnatural burst into the unknown. Nor can it be suggested that these vast and important changes liave come about by a general awakening of the masses. Their very magnitude and the diversity of results obtained in fields so widely separated and unrelated bespeaks some source common to them all. A careful investigation indicates that the common source — the impelling force — behind the rapid progress in all these varied interests, is scientific method and scientific technique, applied through organised and co-ordinated research. These findings are modified to suit the peculiar conditions of the particular industries. In research laboratories each problem that seems w^orthy of considera- tion, whether arising from past experience or promise of future possi- bilities, is carefully analysed and its component parts attacked by specialists. It is the supervised, directed, and the combined efforts of the scientific investigators which give us the proven new ideas and enable the engineer, the chemist, the physicist, the biologist, the geologist, find others to build the new structure. Royal societies, by bringing together those interested in the different branches of science, do much to further such organised effort. Perhaps no better illustration of the power of organised research can be given than by referring to the progress made in the solution of engineering problems, especially those to be found in the field of electrical engineering. In this field the engineer, the chemist, the physicist, the mathematician, the geologist, and other scientfic workers have played leading parts. If we could subtract from our present knowledge that which we have gained during the past thirty years, our usages of electricity would be considerably diminished, and the whole structure of industry changed. Employment would be diminished, and our social and economic outlook altered in a marked manner. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits to mankind is the improvement in lighting. How we would have managed to keep pace with the rush and stress of business life, as conducted to-day, if compelled to depend on the tallow ^^dip,” or even the open gas jet, need not be enlarged upon. Here scientific investigation has come to our aid. In electric light- ing we first had the open arc lamp, followed by the carbon filament vacuum lamp. Then followed such improvements as enclosed arc lamps and other passing types. About twenty-eight years ago the metal filament lamp, with voltages below 100, came into commercial use. This lamp was rapidly improved to suit normal public supply pressure. The most marked departure in recent years has been the substitution of gas-'filled globes for vacuum globes, and a change in method of filament design and manufacture. Then came the tube lighting, known to the public as ‘‘Neon,” a survival of the old vacuum tube filled with various conducting gases. This brought further advance, and to-day we have the gas-filled lube through which energy is passed, giving high light intensity and a reasonable absence of glare. These lamps, although not suitable for indoor lighting purposes, have an important claim for use on public highways, where anti-glare, combined with maximum illumination, is highly desirable. 4 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. The transformer and the induction motor make it no longer neces- sary to confine industry to areas where coal and water power are available. To-day we are able to use the scientific knowledge of electricity obtained during the past few decades to transmit electrical energy over long distances, and to control it almost at will. So great is the power and so delicate the control of commercially distributed electrical energy that heavy industries and rapid transport systems derive their energy from a common generating and distributing system, which, in addition, lights our homes and reproduces sound through our wireless equipments. So satisfied are we with the control of this power that, whilst using hundreds of horse-power of energy in industry we, with confidence, allow our dentist to utilise the same source of energy to drill a tiny hole in our tooth — this without the least thought of the contrast between the high-powered physical unit transforming stored energy into elec- tricity and the small dental motor rotating a drill within a cavity of our tooth. Our knowledge of the mysterious X-ray has been enlarged. It is well known that these rays, which have no electromagnetic properties, blacken photographic plates, and when they impinge upon certain chemicals and minerals, these substances glow with a visible light. These rays are used in the practice of medicine, and also play an important part in industry for the purpose of determining the sound- ness of structures. Much expensive machining can be voided by detect- ing faulty castings whilst they are in their crude state. In addition, these rays are our best and surest method of examining welds in materials. They are useful in examining rolled or drawn metal parts for the presence of slag or for overdrawing by cold work. Many materials, such as coal, rubber, wood, bakelite, etc., can be examined for defects or for the presence of foreign materials. The field for useful employ- ment of these rays in industry is being daily enlarged. As previously pointed out to this Society by Professor Bagster, the use of X-rays is now well established in the examination of oil paintings and objects of art. The electrical engineer has contributed to matters associated with X-rays : Diathermy, high-frequency currents, ultra-violet radiation, and other miscellaneous electrical treatments of the human body — all valu- able aids to the skilled surgeon and physician. The radiology developments include the means of preventing the emergence of the unwanted X-radiations, the wide application of shock- proofing X-ray tubes, generators, cables, etc., and the production of high-power tubes and rectifying valves. In the practice of medicine the all-important protection of the patient and of the operator is now given by shrouding the tube itself, thereby preventing the emergence of the ray except through a properly controlled window. During the past four years important developments have occurred in the X-tubes themselves, and most modern tubes are now vacuum type — not gas-filled, as was previously the case. High-voltage tubes are common, the rectified current reaching 100,000 volts (peak value). PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 5 Diathermy is being applied over an increasingly wide range of diseases, including internal secretions, rheumatic disorders, deafness, skin trouble, and nervous complaints. This increased use has given an impetus to improve the efficiency and compactness of the necessary apparatus. The introduction of the continuous-wave valve and oscillator has added a new surgical instrument of high power ; yet in competent hands it is flexible and easy to control. The use of very high frequencies has permitted the production of artiflcial fever without the necessity of placing the patient in contact with electrodes. Violet and ultra-violet rays are still being produced by electrostatic jnachines, although the mercury- vapour-quartz lamp is the most powerful and efficient source of ultra-violet radiation at present available. Infra-red rays from banks of carbon lamps and radiating .from bowl fires are being utilised increasingly for the relief of rheumatic and similar ailments. Yet another advance relates chiefly to the theory of electrical trans- mission by telegraph and telephone. The problem of electric and magnetic flux, which crowds into the most important chapter in the history of electrical science, is based on the foundations laid by Faraday and Maxwell, although these fathers of electrical science failed to realise that the electro-magnetic flux repre- sented electromagnetic energy of an electromagnetic field. It was not until Hertz, in 1888 (four years after our Society was formed), propounded his clasiscal experiments that the value of, and possibilities arising from, Faraday’s and Maxwell’s theories dawned upon the engineer. With the appreciation of the new factor ‘Meactance, ” and later a second new factor inductance”) commenced the commercial appli- cation of electricity. From the appreciation of these new factors followed the under-ocean telegraph cable, the dynamo for the supply of light and power, and the commercial use of the telephone. The radio development of to-day elegantly describes what electro- magnetic theories, enlarged upon by later knowledge, have done for the transmission of music, speech, and pictures across oceans and continents. To-day the youngest schoolboy realises that messages are carried on the wings of the electrical waves, and most of them use the terms ‘ ^ reactance ’ ’ and ‘ ‘ inductance ’ ’ in connection with the wireless receiving sets without realising their significance or even giving a thought to the works of the various scientists v/hose combined efforts have made wire- less broadcasting possible. In 1886 the British Navy carried out its earliest commercial experi- ment with wireless telegraphy, and during the next thirty years all naval ships were fitted with wireless signalling ec^uipment, it being the only long-range means of communication available to them. By 1900 about forty-three ships in the British Navy were equipped with wireless telegraph apparatus, but it was not until five to six years later that the wireless branch of the Navy was formed. 6 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. Perhaps one of the most useful applications of electrical sound- recording is that used to ascertain the depth of the sea. There are at present several types of marine sounding devices in regular use, but there has recently been developed what is known as the magnetostriction echo depth recorder. This device produces a continuous record of the sea’s depth whilst the ship is travelling at full speed, and is claimed to be commercially accurate w^hen used in water from 2 ft. to 200 ft. in depth. The sea depths can be transmitted to the bridge, where they are recorded as a well-defined line on a scale chart of chemically prepared paper. This apparatus is installed within the steel hull, and is not inter- fered with by the nature of the cargo carried. The system is at present being thoroughly tested by the British Navy, The use of this or similar information-recordiing devices on merchant ships when in foreign waters, during darkness or fog, and in the location of sunken objects will be apparent to all, and should considerably reduce the loss of life and property now occasioned by shipwreck. The thermonic valve was rapidly developed during the great war, and at its close was adapted for modern wireless broadcasting purposes. This valve has improved our broadcasting programmes, and such fine limits of control have been obtained that, quite recently and from this city, our Royal visitor, the Duke of Gloucester, although a distance of 12,000 miles away, used this type of valve to launch a mighty ocean liner from its cradle into the waters of the Clyde. We now have a world-wide commercial telephone service. We are able to use our local telephone instruments to communicate with other countries, and also are able to carry on two-way conversations with those on board liners a thousand or more miles from land. To-day the picturegram is being sent the length and breadth of the globe per medium of this thermonic valve. Television, now in the experimental stage,' may rapidly rise to the commercial stage, and make still more striking the wonderful progress of electricity. Turning now to other fields of scientific research, we have the automobile industry made possible by the development of the internal combustion engine. The scientific research work on this engine has practically all been done during the life of this Society, although a few principles, as in the case of electricity, go back to before 1884. Collateral with and closely allied to the automobile engine is the research work that has been involved in the development of various liquid fuels — the life-blood of this type of machine. Were it not for the joint result of these two scientific research activities, the internal combustion engine could not have advanced, and we could not have had the aviation industry, which to-day is making such rapid progress and has bridged the gap between England and Australia. To-day we have the air mail between the mother country and ourselves, and even the time now taken will seem extraordinarily slow when compared with the aeroplane of the future, which will probably reach undreamt-of speed when traversing the stratosphere. The dream of the heavier-than-air machine could not have been realised had not the engineer and allied scientists combined in producing large reliable power units of small weight. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 7 The great advance in the chemical industry has come during our fifty years of existence, and, again, is the direct result of organised scientific research applied to materials and to the various processes by which new materials are evolved. Not only have materials and processes of inorganic chemistry been amplified enormously, but the whole field of organic chemistry has also been substantially created. When we consider the large number of so-called elements and the incredible number of their possible permutations and combinations, it seems to indicate that in the years ahead continuation and amplification by scientific methods of the activities in the field of chemistry are likely to dwarf into insignificance its surprising progress during the last half- century. Agriculture, although more ancient than engineering or chemistry, and with an origin lost in the mists of antiquity, is practically a repeti- tion of scientific advancement of engineering and chemistry during the last fifty years. Apart from the application of mechanical power for the purpose of labour-saving appliances, there is no other economic section of our civilisation where the result of the application of scientific research has been more marked than in the field of agriculture, and where, perhaps, the effect on human welfare is more far reaching. During the life of the Royal Society of Queensland more has been learnt of soil chemistry and soil mechanics than ever before ; yet our knowledge is still far from complete. Through intensive organised research in the field of botanical and biological science we have learnt to combat plant disease and plant pests which, in past years, destroyed many forms of agriculture and laid waste fertile land. Perhaps the prickly-pear destruction in Queensland may be quoted as an important example. We have learnt to control the mosquito (we do not apply our knowledge locally^ but some day we will be forced to do so) and thereby to remove one of the discomforts and dangers to health. We have yet to learn, biologically or otherwise, the economic control of various forms of fly pests so damaging to human health as well as to animal and plant life. The control of ticks and other insect pests is in hand; yet many more branches remain to be investigated and conquered. Rapid transport has considerably altered some of the world’s marketing problems. Science has opened a market for our produce and the produce of other countries, and has made apparent the advan- tages and disadvantages of international interchange of trade. We have learnt to hold Queensland chilled beef over the necessary period to enable its transport to overseas markets, and we are proud to record that much of the scientific research work in connection with ('hilled beef transportation has been carried out in Queensland and under the personal direction of one of our members. The outcome of scientific research has brought into the economic life of the nations problems which we, as a scientific Society, should not altogether leave to others to solve. It has been repeatedly stated that the present world-wide economic difficulties are largely due to the vast scientific advancements of recent times. 8 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. As scientists, we are told that we have so mechanised industry that to-day we are the direct cause of unemployment and a contributing cause to the social unrest which is so prominent in Europe, and, in fact, all parts of the civilised world. Surely such a charge, so frequently repeated, is of sufficient import- ance to make us inquire whether such is or is not the case ! If we are the direct cause, then it is reasonable to expect us to provide the remedy or else close down our scientific progress. If we are not wholly, or even partly responsible, the social condition is such that we surely cannot pass by without making some effort towards its improvement nor allow the stigma to remain because of our unwillingness to assist in combating it ! Cannot we, by scientific and organised research, help to dispel the unhealthy infiuence which we have directly or indirectly created, and which has assumed larger proportions than, perhaps, would otherwise have been the case had we earlier thrown our training and thought into its solution? Perhaps this is a field where, apart from our purely scientific work, Ave can work together with the other leaders of thought, the statesmen, the banker, and the economist in the common cause of uplifting mankind and teaching him how to use the greater comforts which we have helped to create, and employ usefully the greater leisure we have made available to him. Our scientific training teaches us that by combination the elements grow in size and strength, and that by separation we can reverse that process. As surely as division means destruction, so surely will scientific amalgamation of facts and forces create that which will grow in size, strength, and beauty. From the dawn of history, and until a few generations ago, the Avorld’s work was done by manual labour. From dawn till dusk man toiled with his hands simply to obtain sufficient food, clothing, and shelter to keep body and soul together. To-day science has so improved conditions that the material comforts of the masses greatly exceed even those of the privileged feAV in olden days. Has the advancement been for the country ’s good ? Has the growth of ten ears of corn where previously only one grew been to our advantage? Have the modern methods of preparing food and clothes, the rapid and distant transport of our grown or manufactured products, the wider knowledge of the peoples of the globe, and freer intercourse caused unemployment and unrest? These are the questions which we, as scientists, should face and answer satisfactorily. As previously stated, it has been repeatedly claimed that the scientist, and through him the engineer, is the principal cause of unemployment because he has so mechanised industry and increased productivity as to create over-production and unemployment by utilis- ing machinery instead of manual labour. - Let us examine such a statement. To-day the requirements of the individual are far greater than previously ; different and more compli- cated food and more clothing than ever before are now required. These increases demand an advance in science and in labour. It is beyond question that industry has been mechanised, and also, unfortunately, PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 9 that we have been compelled to push aside from certain classes of work those individuals who have not fitted themselves for the greater work made available in other industries. Looking along some of these mechanised industries and starting with transport, we do not find it far to glance back upon, poorly con- structed roads and horse-drawn vehicles on land, or wind-driven ships at sea. Yet have these transport changes caused universal or even partial unemployment? Instead of unemployment, they have given employment by creating a wider field of use and a greater demand for comfort and leisure; together with a desire to travel. It does not require a reference to statistics to prove that the employment given to-day by railways and steamships, automobile factories and filling stations, aerodromes, and the supplying of fuel to the various forms of mechanical transport far exceeds that given by the stage coach, the livery stable, and sailing ships of fifty years ago. The mining and manufacture of metals for the construction of, and obtaining fuel for use in, transport units give far greater employment than growing food for horses. The same can be said of our food and clothing. To-day our food- stuffs are so highly refined that much labour is required for their preparation. I could go through clothing, housing, and other necessary commodities in a similar liianner — all of which show increased employ- ment to supply present-day individual wants. Apart from pecessary commodities, we have an important industry which, whilst perhaps a partial luxury, is fast becoming an everyday necessity. I refer to artificial air-conditioning. We have our air- conditioned factories, stores, offices, homes, and public halls, and we also use air-conditioned rooms for the storage of foodstuffs, thereby materially assisting in the preservation of our food for daily consump- tion and the regular marketing of our perishable products. We also use air-conditioned rooms to control the ripening of our fruit. Ventilation with conditioned air is a great aid to personal comfort,, since adequate ventilation maintains conditions which ensure the health and comfort of occupants in any given space. The essential comfort factors of efficient ventilation are the control of the temperature, humidity, and the motion of the air. An ordinary thermometer is of only relative value for indicating personal comfort. The sense of warmth experienced by the human body is not due alone to the temperature registered by the dry-bulb thermometer; neither does it depend solely upon that recorded by the wet-bulb thermometer. Human comfort depends largely on body temperature, which is in turn affected by — (a) Loss of heat by convection and radiation; (h) Loss of heat by evaporation; (c) The motion of the air aiding both these factors. Scientific research as applied by industry in controlling air tem- peratures and humidity has made the artificial preservation of our food and of our personal comfort an every day activity of maximum importance. We also have our purely luxury or non-essential require- ments, embracing rapid transport systems, radio, cable and telephone service, the distribution of news service, picture theatres, organised 10 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. amusements, and a host of other similar things. These are all additions which, during the last fifty years, have definitely created new avenues of employment. Even in this enlightened age we hear some proclaim that it would be better if machinery disappeared. This is equivalent to asking that homespun garments be used and that everyone should grow his own spinach and potatoes, because, by so doing, all would be employed. How many of these complainants would appreciate going back to the rush light, to slow instead of rapid transport, to stairs instead of elevators, to the drawing of water and hewing of firewood, and the absence of places of amusement? I venture to say that few, if any, who hold these retrograde views are old enough to understand or appre- ciate what they are suggesting or can even in part visualise the disadvantages and discomforts involved. The luxury and convenience of the telephone at our elbow, when, with as little effort as is taken to light the occasional cigarette, we may talk to friends far apart, and, by even less personal exertion, we are entertained by music through the radio loud speaker ! These enjoyments were not available fifty or even thirty years ago. Luxuries previously non-existent create new avenues of employment. The scientist is not a destructor of civilisation, but a creator of comfort, leisure, and, indeed, luxury. By comfort and leisure I do not mean a life of idleness, but rather a process of education so that we may have more opportunities to do those things which we want to do for pleasure or interest, and not because the doing of them is required to enable us to earn our food, clothing, and housing. In addition to scientific production and distribution, are we not now required to teach people how best they may employ that comfort and leisure which the scientist has made available? Our politicians, merchants, and others have failed to market the products available. They have failed to distribute or fully utilise the wealth at their disposal. Scientific advance has added to their work by giving greater production coupled with distribution problems. The prosperity of the nations depends on increasing production until a point is reached when there is sufficient to supply the needs and desires of everyone. Statistics show that our present production is inadequate and unbalanced. There are too few of some goods and too many of others. If we interest ourselves in production only, we leave the most important work undone. We must also distribute. I do not mean that we shall by scientific methods evolve means of transportation, but I use distribu- tion in the much wider sense which includes everything necessary to place the products of industry within the reach of every worker. Distribution should not be excluded from scientific thought and methods of investigation, and it is here, in conjunction with the states- man, the economist, the banker, and others, that the scientist can attempt to influence the methods of investigation and research. As a section of the community trained to test and investigate in a thoroughly scientific manner the many problems of nature and science, the Royal Society of Queensland, if not as a collective body, then through and by its individual members, has an important part to play in maintaining national prosperity. VoL. XL VII., No. 2. 11 The Significance of pH Putrefactive Grade Test J in Bacteriological Water Analysis. By W. T. Robertson, Bacteriologist, Water Supply Department, Brisbane City Council. {Bead before the Boyal Society of Queensland, 2Srd April, 1935.) What is the most reliable evidence on which to judge a potable water? Present authorities are in favour of the results of a bacterio- logical analysis in respect, firstly, to numbers of total micro-organisms per cubic centimetre, and secondly, to the presence or absence of the colon bacillus or its allied forms in quantities of water up to 10 c.c. It is claimed that the presence of the B. coli in such a water may suggest the likelihood of the presence also of B. typhosus. To test for typhosus is a very arduous business in routine work, but to test for B. coli and its allies is a far simpler task; hence it is on this organism’s appearance or non-appearance in water supplies that the standard of purity is based. Many and varied are the methods which have been adopted in order that investigators may have concrete evidence of these coli-forms in the supplies. In ordinary practice a plate of^ lactose-bile salt agar with neutral red added is used for isolation purposes. I have found, however, that eosin-methylene blue agar with lactose added gives better results in water routine and is more in keeping with the results obtained in sugar broth tests. Some investigators — MacConkey, for instance — discovered that typical Bacillus coli preferred ox bile to grow in, whilst at the same time it was observed that the bile inhibited the free growth of other bacteria which are of no consequence. It is well known to bacteriologists that certain bacteria have the ability to split up certain sugars, thus causing fermentation, which produces acid and gas (carbon dioxide and hydrogen mainly), the quantities depending on the type of putrefactive micro-organisms present. My experience has been, however, that the bile salt broth does not exhibit all the positive tests it should for total putrefactives, so it leads one to wonder if the inhibiting power possessed by the ox bile does not also inhibit certain lesser members of the coli-aero genes group. This means, therefore, that this test by itself leaves a lot to be desired, so that for water giving negative results erroneously other tests must be run concurrently, in order to check one test against the other. By a long series of routine experiments I claim to have eliminated much of the possibility of this error. Take an ordinary 2 per cent, peptone broth and adjust its pH to approximately 7-10; add 2 per cent, lactose to the broth; tube in 5-c.c. quantities and sterilise at 15 lb. per sq. in. for ten minutes. When the test is being made add 10 c.c. of water to be tested, and incubate for forty-eight hours at 37 degrees C., but definitely no longer than forty-eight hours, or the significance of the test will be lost. Divide the incubated water and broth into two equal portions ; try one portion for a low pH reading and the other for a pH between 6-2 12 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. and 7-2. When the correct reading for comparative purposes is reached by means of prepared buffer solutions, and an appropriate indicator added to test solution, the result obtained can be at once classified. I grade the water under test, for convenience, into five groups, viz. : — A, B, C, D, and E, according to the following ranges of pH : — A Grade B Grade C Grade D Grade E Grade pH 7.1 or 7.2 — 7.0 6.9 — 5.9 5.8 — 5.1 5.0 — 4.8 4.70 and under if necessary. Now, as a ru^e, it will be found that faecal strains of B. coU ferment lactose freely, and therefore a low pH can be expected (there are a few exceptions to this, such as types with slow fermenting powers leaving the reduction of lactose incomplete at the end of forty-eight hours). The fascal types, therefore, are included mainly in groups D and E, non-fascal types occur in group C and the early part of group B, and B. cerogenes in the later part of group B, pH 6-60 to 6.90. B. cerogenes, as a rule, ferments the lactose, causing an increased acidity for half the incubation period; fermentation then ceases, and the broth gains in alkalinity for the latter half of the period ; hence the range suggested here. If a culture gives at the end of forty-eight hours a reading greater than the initial reading of the adjusted broth, aerogenes still may be the cause. Group A covers quality water of good potability and beyond suspicion. It can be seen from the above grouping that the water can definitely be graded; thus the entire test has been named the ‘‘pH Putrefactive Grade Test,” the putrefactive bacteria, in this case, being the lactose fermenters. One of the most important uses to which this test can be applied is in the checking of the effective chlorine dose; that is to say, the absence of any fermentation in such a broth test would prove chlorination effective. On the other hand, where residual chlorine has decreased owing, for instance, to colour factor or increased demand, putrefactive readings will appear to decline, slowly, perhaps, on the first day, and reach the vicinity of 6-40^ decreasing then to 5-90, and again later to 540, finally reaching the lower colon range (non-fsecal) of 5*20 to 5-00, and so on. When the first decline in pH is noticed, doses of chlorine should be increased at once so as to prevent any further lowering effect. It is understood, of course, that other groups of bacteria, also certain eoccal forms, have this lactose-fermenting power — for example, members of the lactic acid group, which includes M. acidi-lactis, also the sulphite-reducing bacteria which are found in many polluted waters, these waters as a rule containing high concentrations of sulphates and sulphites ; thus hydrogen sulphide is produced on incubation, due entirely to bacterial action in a sugar broth medium. If such bacteria as the above were present in a raw water, it is almost certain the B, coli would also be present in fair numbers. It might be said here that this test is particularly suitable for the grading of raw waters in order to decide if they are potable without treatment. Now, some actual figures will help us to value this test. A certain number of tests on filtered waters were grouped together at THE SIGNIFICANCE OF pH PUTREFACTIVE GRADE TEST, ETC. 13 random, and 18-3 per cent, of these gave positive B. coli results (both faecal and non-faecal types) in this special peptone lactose broth^ whilst for the same tests done in lactose hile salt broth only 4-6 per cent, were positive. This would indicate that the test is four times as effective as that of the ox bile broth for B. coli and its allied forms. Figures appended here concern, firstly, a survey of raw water samples from the Upper Brisbane River collected during the year 1933. Of the total number of tests made, 4 per cent, were negative in regard to B. coH-cerogenes or any of its allied forms. B. coli faecal showed in 38 per cent, of the tests ; B. coli non-faecal showed in 47 per cent. ; and B. cerogenes showed in 11 per cent. These figures demonstrate the effectiveness of this test alone; the positive totalled 96 per cent, of the tests done. Comparing these figures with those obtained after immediate filtration and chlorination for the same period, we have the following: — B. coli faecal types showed in 1*20 per cent, of the tests. B. coli non-faecal types showed in 8-40 per cent, of the tests. B. cerogenes are included in the 8-40 per cent. ; therefore, 90-4 per cent, of these tests were negative. To sum up, the claims put forward here are that this simple test is highly effective in {a) grading waters, (&) checking purification effect, both filtration and chlorination, and (c) checking the potability of raw waters where treatment has not definitely been decided upon. The grading will give the investigator knowledge concerning types of bacteria of a polluting character likely to be present. It must be remembered, however, that quite a number of nitrifying bacteria gathered by river . waters during high flow over ploughed farm land are capable of ferment- ing lactose, and this test may reveal them. However, this still is an indication of possible pollution, which is what was aimed at when I introduced this test into our bacteriological water practice. Appended here will be found an experiment carried out in order to demonstrate the use of the so-called pH putrefactive grade test. Six (6) samples were made up from polluted water drawn from a waterhole, and this water diluted with various quantities of sterile tap water. A total count” was made on the raw sample, also a plate count” taken on eosin-methylene blue lactose agar, for typical B. coli colonies. In order to grade the degree of pollution, chemically as well, nitrogen determined as free and albuminoid ammonia was estimated on all six samples, also the raw sample. The pond-water had a chloride (as Cl) value of 156 parts per million, and a total alkalinity (as CaCOg) of 68 parts per million. In Experiment I., I venture to state, after looking through the results obtained, had there been a dilution sample between 1 in 100 and 1 in 200, a reading may have been obtained in the early part of the coli non-fgecal range, say, between 5-2 and 5*7. Another point this experiment demonstrates very particularly is that comparative relation between total micro-organisms and nitrogen contents means very little unless correlated with the absence or presence of B. coli or its allied forms. This is illustrated amply in samples D and E, E containing no B. coli, but other less fermentative bacteria are evidently present. 14 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYxiL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. Experiment §g22 O cS 1-1 o xi 00 o xi (N + + + + + + + OD tC rt bc.^ ax) 'B § W.S P^oo T}< o3 (H O w p< Q GO GO 4) o CO 4) 05 cb a 2 |aO§ c3 CO .s ij atJ-IS K el 2 S ^.2 a X) O^'O o -t^ ■*£ "a a Ph P y Cu CA 2 o a: 00 CO a o a: ■>:)< (M + + + + + + + + + + ■^1 ® .2^ a x)a3'a >x •S a M CO S a ^ S a o o 1^ W o m o o a o a lO o % s o w -p o -p o r-H Om S o m -p o •p »o a c3 02 "o p o p lO o P" '< Oh a a 02 P o p a o 02 P o p Oh a ce m I— H c3 p O P 2 -H3 CO e> a y b p 2 o oj — -I a s g.a •4^ C/2 »p5 . £apO ^ c5 Oo Mjz o GO CD p P p m 02 02 -P a a a 03 © © c5 r— H C3 p P p a a cS -P o o o 00 lO CO <M Ip ip CO Tt) a 3;^ BS^ Ip TiH »o o CO CO o TjH Tt) o IP <N lO o (M »o <N .2 a a . O e> a . SoSg J.-Sp3 "5^ ai OJ CO pH p a pH o lO o CD o o o (M (M (N (M (N o o o o o o o oft •Js ::5 ^ ft PH a c3 C/5 ■oh a a 02 CS o - © o o o lO o CN lO fH <M lO O o o o O o P p p p P p r-H pH p p p pq Q Samples C, D, and E, are of interest for comparative purposes in respect to the two broth tests, THE SIGNIFICANCE OF pH PUTREFACTIVE GRADE TEST, ETC. 15 Experiment II. — Five dilution bottles taken, and c.e. of broth culture containing B. putridum (a type nearly resembling B. fluorescens) was placed in the first dilution bottle. Sample. Dilution. Number of Organisms in Dilution. Lactose Bile Broth. Acid and Gas Production. La ctose-Peptone Broth. Grade. 24 Hours. 48 Hours. pH in 24 Hours. 48 Hours. 0 1 to 1,000 At least 6,000 + + -f 5-70 C A 1 to 1,200 2,200 + + -f 5-60 C B 1 to 1,500 20 Acid only -f 5*80 C C 1 to 1,900 Nil — — - 7-10 A D 1 to 2,400 Nil — — - 7-10 A A cultural feature was the large quantities of gas generated in the peptone lactose broth in twenty-four hours. This had completely disappeared at the end of forty-eight hours. Two sub-cultures were made, and one after twenty-four hours incubation gave pH of 5-40, the other of 5*8 ; so the results regarding a decreased pH over the final twenty-four hours are rather conflicting. I have appended here sub-cultural data which will more fully bear out my conclusions in connection with the pH putrefactive grade tests. Experiment I. — The cultural medium was an adjusted lactose- peptone broth. A pure culture of B. cero genes cultured originally from a raw water supply. (a) Time cultured (&) Time cultured pH in hours. pH in hours. 7.10 Initial 7.10 Initial 6.80 17 hours 6.90 4 hours 6.80 ‘ 23 hours 6.90 8 hours 7.6 40 hours 6.90 24 hours 6.90 32 hours 7.30 48 hours Another culture originally isolated from Enoggera Reservoir and subsequently was proven to be B. lactis-cerogenes. This culture gave the following additional sub-cultural results : — Voges-Proskauer reaction . . Methyl red Indol production Saccharose broth pH 7.10 6.70 6.60 6.60 7.00 6.90 6.90 + -}- acid and gas only. Time cultured in hours. Initial 16 hours . . 20 hours 24 hours . . . . 40 hours . . 48 hours . . . , 64 hours 16 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. Another culture taken from the same source as the one above gave the following results: — Voges-Proskauer reaction Methyl red Indol production Saccharose broth pH 7.10 . . 6.70 . . 6.80 . . 6.80 . . 7.10 . . 7.10 .. 7.50 . . + -j- acid and gas and fluorescence. Time cultured in hours. Initial 16 hours 20 hours 24 hours 40 hours . . 48 hours 64 hours This culture has proven itself to be B. lactis-cerogenes also. Both these cultures, due to their pH figures, in forty-eight hours would be very difficult to detect. Cultures under the heading of ^ ^ P^secal Types ’ ’ also show interesting, cultural features. A culture originally taken from a plate-culture of water drawn from Brisbane Kiver raw supply : — Voges-Proskauer reaction .. — Methyl red reaction . . . . -\~ Lactose bile salt broth reaction -|- Saccharose broth reaction . . — Indol production . . • • + pH Time cultured in hours. 7.10 6.30 6.20 6.00 5.20 5.0 5.20 Initial 16 hours 20 hours 24 hours 36 hours 48 hours 64 hours This is apparently a B. coli fgecal strain. Another culture with apparently the same cultural characteristics- as the previous one gave the following results : — Voges-Proskauer reaction . Methyl red reaction . . Lactose bile salt broth Saccharose broth Indol production pH 7.10 6.40 6.10 5.20 5.0 4.9 5.0 - (C + 4- acid only + Time cultured in hours. Initial 16 hours 20 hours 24 hours 36 hours . . 40 hours 72 hours This culture, in order to be satisfactorily classified, should havo given a positive methyl-red reaction as a faecal type. All other tests bear out this conclusion. THE SIGNIFICANCE OP pil PUTREFACTIVE GRADE TEST, ETC. 17 However, another type was cultured from the same source and gave results more in keeping with classification: — Voges-Proskauer reaction . . Methyl red reaction . . Lactose bile salt broth Saccharose + -4- acid only Indol production Glucose fermentation + (?) pH 7.10 Time cultured in hours. Initial 6.40 16 hours 6.20 20 hours 5.80 24 hours 5.50 40 hours 5.80 48 hours This looks to be a type of ancerogenes. A pH reading was taken of this culture in eighty-eight hours, and a reading of 6-20 was obtained, showing that back-to-alkalinity reaction characteristic of the oerogenes. The above group of tests, however, do not bear out this conclusion, showing as they do a negative Voges-Proskauer test but a positive saccharose broth test ; so a non-faecal colon type will be the classification in this case. B. ancerogenes is a probability here, as very little gas was produced in the fermentation reactions, and this feature is characteristic of the ancerogenes. A culture of interest to the waterworks bacteriologist might be outlined here. A gull ‘ ‘ dropping ’ ’ was taken from the surface of an open filter-bed and placed in an extract broth and cultured, and then a spread-culture made, and the predominating type was again recultured. The following results were obtained : — Methyl red reaction . . Voges-Proskauer reaction Glucose fermentation Lactose bile salt broth Saccharose broth Indol production pH 7.0-7.10 5.90 5.90 . . 5.90 5.50 5.50 5.90 6.90 + + 4" -j- acid, gas, and fluorescence + Time cultured in hours. Initial 16 hours 20 hours 24 hours . . 40 hours 48 hours 72 hours 1 week In our classification at the end of forty-eight hours this culture would appear in our C grade as a coli non-fsecal type ; it is apparently of the ‘‘grain” type. Large numbers of grass seeds were apparent in the excreta on examination. These tests will in some way help to bear out the classification and grading which I have made earlier concerning the pH putrefactive grade tests. The grade does not always, unfortunately, settle the question as to the type or types of polluting organisms present, but gives us a very good idea of the type of water and the degree of pollution with which we are dealing. 18 VoL. XL VII., No. 3. A Suggested Co-Enzyme Hypothesis for the Ripening of Fruits, by Ethylene Gas Treatment. 1 By L. J. Lynch, B.Sc.Agric., Robert Philp Scholar, f University of Queensland. {Read before the Royal Society of Queensland, 24t/i June, 1935.) INTRODUCTORY. The artificial ripening of fruits by ethylene gas treatment has in recent years assumed such proportions that it is now regarded as part and parcel of the marketing process in many branches of the fruit industry. By reason of the commercial importance of the procedure, it is imperative that a complete understanding of the basic scientific principles of ethylene treatment should be made available, since in the absence of such knowledge we cannot hope to obtain a maximum return for energy expended. It is, therefore, with the hope of passing another milestone towards the ultimate goal that this paper is presented. A number of theories of a more or less tentative nature have been advanced to account for the induction of edible maturity in many fruits by the use of ethylene gas. It was early suggested that the sole effect of the treatment amounted to a disorganisation of the chlorophyll of the outer tissues of the fruit, the destruction of the green pigment making visible the previously disguised yellow colour of the carotinoids — e.g., as in the banana. Such a theory does not account for the internal ripening changes which are simultaneously induced in the banana, while, on the other hand, it is tenable in the case of citrus fruits, in which the ripening of the pulp is not accelerated by gas treatment. Precipitation of tannins by ethylene gas is another suggestion advanced to account for the removal of astringency in the fruit — e.g., persimmon — but this explanation ignores the bulk of the changes which take place during the ripening process. The rise in the respiratory rate of treated fruits has led to the theory of permeability change (Regeimbal, Vacha, and Harvey (1927)®), whereby increased membrane permeability allows of the more rapid diffusion of oxygen and in consequence a rise in the rate of tissue oxidations. In view of the work of Denny (1924)^, this explanation does not appeal, for, if ethylene in a concentration of 1 part in 1,000,000 of air is of sufficient potency to increase permeability, as evidenced by the intensified respiration of gas-treated lemons, then a concentration of 1 part of this gas in 1,000 of air would surely induce irreversible change in; the plasma membrane. Other theories as to the mechanism of ethylene ripening include the stimulation of oxidising enzymes both with respect to quantity and activity, and, while it is not proposed to review in extenso the suggestions which have been put forward, it is considered that these latter theories have much to commend them. SOME PHYSICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ETHY- LENE TREATMENT OF FRUITS IN THE PRESENCE OP OXYGEN. From the purely physical aspect, the effect of ethylene gas upon fruits may be twofold. It hastens the production of the normal ripe colour in such fruits as the banana, the tomato, and the pineapple, A SUGGESTED CO-ENZYME HYPOTHESIS FOR THE RIPENING OF FRUITS^ ETC. 19 while internally it brings about changes in texture, flavour, and degree of sweetness or other characteristic property such that we regard the fruit to be in an edibly mature condition. This internal effect, however, is not uniformly produced in all ethylenised fruits, and it is a pecu- liarity of citrus fruits that no internal ripening occurs as a result of commercial gas treatment. The inability of citrus fruits to respond to ethylene is of the greatest importance, and provides evidence which will be discussed in a later section of this paper. From the physiological point of view, commercial gas treatment w’ould appear to accelerate the general metabolism of the fruit, as shown by the rise in the rate of respiration ; or, alternatively, we may regard the acceleration of metabolism to be due to a direct intensifica- tion of respiration, since it is owing to this phenomenon that energy is derived for expenditure in vital processes. An increase in the respiration rate of lemons was reported by Denny (1924)^ as a result of the use of ethylene in air in concentrations ranging from 1 part of gas in 1,000 of air to 1 part in 1,000,000. The percentage increase ranged from 100 per cent, to 250 per cent. Lot No. Weight of Fresh Fruit. Treatment. Rate of Respiration Mg of CO2 per Rg per Hour. 1 (Day). 2 (Days.) 4 (Days). 6 (Days.) 8 (Days). C 698 Ethylene 10-5 21-0 22- 0 41- 1 30-6 D 649 Ethylene 11-3 15-4 29-8 28-8 32-9 E 658 Control 10- 1 7-1 10- 1 10- 1 10- 1 F 693 Control 11*5 9-1 8*7 12-5 9-6 Effect of Ethylene upon the Rate of Respiration of Lemons (Denny, 1924)^. Effect op Ethyi^ene upon the Rate of Respiration of Lemons (Denny, 1924). ^ I have measured, upon a number of separate occasions, the rate of respiration of late Valencia oranges in air and in a gas mixture of 1 part of ethylene in 1,000 parts of air, and the following is a typical result. (Figures represent tenths of an inch, and are measurements of manometric heights, and are purely comparative. Identical weights of fruits were used in chambers of equal capacitjO • — Days. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ethylene. 16.2 15.9 17.3 17.8 16.6 17.0 15.7 Control. 7.5 6.5 3.6 6.0 7.1 6.8 6.9 Effect of Ethylene upon the Rate of Respiration of Late Valencia Oranges. It will be seen that this work provides confirmation of that of Denny with respect to citrus fruits. At the conclusion of the experi- ment ethylenised oranges were ripe-coloured but sour, while the con- trols were both sour and green. During the same experiment the 20 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. effect of ethylene gas upon the respiration of bananas was also investi- gated (measurements are in sixteenths of an inch, and are purely comparative) : — Days. Ethylene. Control. 1 2 3 4 ^ 6 7 Effect of Ethylene upon the Rate of Respiration of Bananas. Regeimbal, Yacha, and Harvey (1927)® noted an initial stimulation in the respiration rate of bananas treated with 1 part of ethylene in 1,000 of air, but record a subsequent decrease in less than half an hour. They deduce from this result that oxidation rather than permeability rate is increased. The fall in respiration rate following upon an initial intensification has been observed by a number of workers when bananas are subjected to a single dose of ethylene gas for a comparatively brief period of time. Under commercial ripening conditions in Australia, however, the treatment is repeated twice daily up to the ‘‘half-colour” stage (Young, Bagster, Hicks, and Huelin, 1932)®, and it would appear from my experimental results that the series of respiratory stimulations thus induced raise the mean level of the respiration rate of treated bananas above that of the controls. The rise in the rate of respiration of gas-treated fruits is not confined to those fruits already discussed. Davies and Church ( )^ report an increase in the respiration rate of Japanese persimmons during ethylene ripening, and regard their results as similar to that obtained by Denny with lemons. It may therefore be concluded that the acceleration of respiration during treatment with ethylene gas is a phenomenon of general occurrence. 39 32 34 26 25 17 15 16 16 16 in SOME PHYSICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF VARY- ING OXYGEN CONCENTRATION UPON FRUITS IN THE PRESENCE AND ABSENCE OF ETHYLENE. In 1924 Denny attempted to colour lemons with ethylene in the absence of oxygen by the use of a gas mixture of 1 part of ethylene in 1,000 of nitrogen. Under these conditions no colouration was developed, and it was hence deduced that the presence of oxygen is necessary for the development of ripe colour. I repeated this experiment with bananas, and the result was in entire agreement with that of Denny. The concentration of oxygen in the intercellular space system of fruits is frequently below that of the atmosphere. In the case of the coconut (Herbert, 1923)® the gas analysis of the internal atmosphere of the fruit was as follows : — Very Young Coconut. Per cent. Nitrogen . . • . . . 81.3 Oxygen . . . . . . 18.7 Carbon dioxide . . . . trace Old Coconut. Per cent. Nitrogen . . . , . . 99.8 Oxygen . . . . . . 0.2 Carbon dioxide . • . . trace This consideration leads to the view that oxygen concentration may be a limiting factor in the respiration of fruits, and, since respiration rate is intimately connected with the ripening process, it was decided A. SUGGESTED CO-ENZYME HYPOTHESIS EOR THE RIPENING OF FRUITS, ETC. 21 to test the effect of increasing the oxygen conceintration of the storage atmosphere upon the rate of ripening of fruits. After preliminary trials a concentration of 80 per cent, oxygen was decided upon, and in this atmosphere oranges were found to colour within five days, whereas there was no change in the colour of the control fruit. Oxygen-treated oranges showed no tendency to ripen internally — a result in agreement Avith ethylene-treated fruits. Days. Oxygen, 80 per cent. Control. 7.5 6.5 3.6 6.0 7.1 6.8 6.9 16.5 11.0 12.0 16.5 16.0 16.0 Effec.t of Oxygen 80 per cent, upon the Rate of Respiration of Late Valencia Oranges. An increase in oxygen concentration to a similar extent ivas likewise found to accelerate the ripening and respiration of bananas. The fruit coloured nicely, and, while the internal flesh softened quickly, it was found to be of poor flavour as compared with ethylene-treated fruits. It was deduced from this result that a more appropriate oxygen concentration might be used for bananas with better result: — Days. 1 Oxygen, 80 per cent. 24 Control, 16 2 26 17 3 28 15 4 30 16 5 32 16 6 34 16 7 • 30 10 Effect of Oxygen 80 per cent, upon the Rate of Respiration OF Bananas. The two foregoing experiments were repeated, using, in addition, ethylene gas at the rate of 1 : 1,000 of gas mixture, but no appreciable differences were recorded in the results. From the experimental data set out in this section we may assume that ripening is essentially an oxidative process, and that the effect of ethylene in accelerating and ripening depends upon its ability to assist, either directly or indirectly, in the tissue oxidations. Moreover, since internal oxidations are the direct result of respiratory activity, and, as we have seen, artificial ripening results in intensified respiration, we may conclude that the ripening process is primarily a respiratory phenome- non. Respiratory studies on bananas from the time of picking to edible maturity show that two separate and distinct phases occur — (1) pre- ripening stage, in which respiratory activity is low and the fruit is in a quasi-dormant condition; (2) ripening stage, in which respiration attains a maximum and then declines. The effect of ethylene upon the respiration rate of bananas is most evident when applied to fruit in the pre-ripening stage. Once the fruit has commenced to colour, little or no acceleration either of respiration or of ripening is apparent. The reason for this may not be at once obvious, but the work of the Cambridge Low Temperature Station 22 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYxiL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. (1932)' would suggest an explanation of such anomalous behaviour. It was shown that ethylene is evolved from ripening apples, and may be detected by its ability to induce malformation in germinating pea embryos, and also by causing retardation, of germination of pea seeds. I confirmed the result of this work by passing the storage atmosphere of ripening Granny Smith apples over peas in a germinator, the following statistically significant retardation being obtained : — Number of Days to Germination. Experiment 1. Experiment 2. Treated. Clieck. Treated. Check. 3.10 0.041 2.63 0.035 4.04 0.005 3.80 0.037 Observations made during the investigation of Bagster, Hicks, and Huelin (1932)® into the ripening and transport of bananas shows that the ripening of bananas may be accelerated by storing them in a chamber containing ripe bananas. One may reasonably conclude, there- fore, that ethylene is evolved from ripening bananas and other fruits, though it is suggested that further investigation be undertaken in this direction. RESPIRATOEY ENZYMES IN FRUITS. In order to elucidate the reason for the non-ripening of the central pulp of the orange with ethylene treatment, Herbert and Lynch (1934)^ approached the problem from the point of view of non-penetrability. As a result of this work, it was shown that the rates of penetration of the tissues of the orange and banalnas by ethylene are approximately the same, and hence failure of the orange to ripen cannot be ascribed to this cause. A consideration of the importance of respiration in rela- tion to the ripening process has led me to approach the problem from that aspect, and the fruits were, in consequence, examined with the idea of determining the presence or otherwise of respiratory enzymes and their distribution wdthin the tissues of the fruit. By the use of standard methods, oxidising enzymes were found to occur in the peel and pulp of the banana, and in the peel but not in, the pulp of oranges. Investi- gation into other fruits upon similar lines showed that fruits which may be coloured externally and ripened internally by commercial gas treatment possess oxidising enzymes in both skin and pulp — e.g., bananas, apples, pears, pineapples, etc. — whereas those fruits which colour externally while the internal pulp shows no indication of ripe maturity contain oxidising enzymes in the skin alone, and not in the pulp — e.g., orange and mandarin. I would suggest that herein lies the solution of the problem of ethylene ripening of fruits. DISiCUSSION AND CONCLUSION. It has been shown in the earlier portions of this paper that internal and external ripening of the pre-ripe banana is induced by ethylene treatment, and that these changes are accompanied by intensified respiratioin. The replacement of the ethylene gas mixture by an 80 per cent, oxygen atmosphere produces similar results. On the other hand, pre-ripe bananas will not ripen in the absence of oxygen, despite the presence of ethylene in appropriate concentration, and yet again the ripening of bananas which have passed the pre-ripe condition is not necessarily accelerated by traces of ethylene. From these data it A SUGGESTED CO-ENZYME HYPOTHESIS FOR THE RIPENING OF FRUITS, ETC. 23 is deduced that ripening is a respiratory phenomenon, the intensification of which provides energy for an acceleration of metabolism, which, in turn, cuts down the length of the pre-ripening, semi-dormant phase of the fruit. It has been shown further that ethylene is capable of hasten- ing the ripening of fruits or of certain tissues of the fruit only when those fruit or tissues contain oxidising enzymes, and, since the prime outward manifestation of ethylene treatment is a rise in the rate of respiration, it would appear that the gas exerts its effect through the oxidising enzymes. Finally, it may be deduced from {a) the low concentration of ethylene necessary to accelerate ripening, and (h) the fact that ethylene is itself generated in the fruit once the pre-ripening period is passed, that ethylene is responsible for the acceleration of the ripening process by a direct stimulation of the oxidising enzymes. It would therefore appear that ethylene plays the role of co-enzyme, together with the oxidising enzymes, not only in the artificial process, but also in the natural ripening of fruits. If this hypothesis be correct, one should be able to predict with certainty those fruits which are and those which are not amenable to artificial gas-ripening. Fruits which contain oxidases, either as laccases or as peroxidases, distributed evenly throughout their tissues, should respond entirely to gas treatment. Fruits coming within this category — e.g., banana, apple, pineapple — certainly do so, though the pineapple is frequently marketed in a coloured but immature condition, due to difficulty of penetration owing to the mass of the fruit. Conversely, if the respiratory theory of fruit- ripening be correct, then a retardation of respiration should tend to prolong storage life by lengthening the duration of the pre-ripening stage. That this is so has been shown by Kidd and A¥est,^ who, by decreasing oxygen and increasing carbon dioxide concentration of the storage atmosphere, have increased the effective storage life of apples by 150 per cent. It is suggested, in view of the co-enzyme hypothesis, that gas storage should be far more effective for fruits which contain i;lie oxidising enzymes distributed throughout all parts of their tissues than for fruits in which the respiratory enzymes are deficient. ACKNOWLEDGMENT. It is with pleasure that I record my indebtedness to Dr. D. A. Herbert, of the University of Queensland, for his unfailing advice and constructive criticism during the course of my work. I also wish to tender my grateful thanks to Professor L. S. Bagster, of the University of Queensland, for assistance and for the loan of materials ; to Dr. J. R. Vickery, of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, for the use of ripening rooms ; to Mr. W. Ranger, of the Committee of Direction of Fruit Marketing, Brisbane, for the supply of fruit; and to Mr. R. S. Mitchell, B.Sc.Agr., for very material aid in experimental work. SUMMARY. 1. Ethylene and oxygen each accelerate the ripening of fruits, and in the process respiration is accelerated. 2. In the absence of oxygen, ripening cannot be induced, and hence the ripening process is essentially a respiratory phenomenon. 3. Ethylene ripening is only successful in the presence of oxidising enzymes, and is related to the distribution of such enzymes in the tissues of the fruit. 24 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. 4. Ethylene is naturally present in the tissues of fruits which have passed the pre-ripening period. 5. It is suggested that ethylene acts as co-enzyme to oxidase both in the natural and artificial process of ripening. BIBLIOGRAPHY. 1. Davies, W. B., and Church, C. G. : The Elf ect of Ethylene Ripening on the Chemical Composition and Respiration of Ripening of the Japanese Persimmon. Jour. Agric. Res., Vol. 42, No. 3. 2. Denny, F. E.: Effect of Ethylene upon the Respiration of Lemons. Bot. Gaz. 77, 322-330, 1924. ^ 3. Herbert, D. A.: The Gas in the Coconut. Philip. Agric., Vol. xi.. No. 6, Jan., 1923. 4. Herbert, D. A., and Lynch, L. J. : Tlie Relative Penetrability of Various Tissues of the Orange and Banana to Ethylene. Proc. Roy. S'oc. Qld., 1934. 5. Kidd, F., and West, C. : The Gas Storage of Fruit. Jour. Pomol. and Hort. Sci., 8, 67-77. 6. Regeimbal, L. O., Vacha, G. A., and Harvey, R. B. : The Effect of Ethylene upon the Respiration of Bananas during Ripening. Plant Physiol., 2, 357-359, 1927. 7. Report of the Food Investigation Board, London, for 1932. 8. Young, W. J., Bagster, L. S., Hicks, E. W., and Huelin, F. E.: The Ripening and Transport of Bananas in Australia, C.S.I.R. Bull., No. 64, 1932. VoL. XL VII., No. 4. 25 New Australian Lepidoptera. By A. Jefferis Turner, M.D., R.F.E.S. {Read before the Royal Society of Queensland, 26th August, 1935.) For most of the eleven genera and forty-one species here described as new, I am greatly indebted to Mr. W. B. Barnard and other valued correspondents. Even in comparatively well collected localities there have been unexpected discoveries, and in any untouched district new species are sure to be found by anyone who searches for them. Fam. Saturniadae. Antheraea rhythmica n. sp. ^ pvdjUKoSy neat — 70-72 mm. Head grey-whitish. Palpi fuscous-brown. Antennae pale ochreous; pectinations in male 6. Thorax reddish-orange; anter- iorly pale purple-grey. Abdomen reddish-orange ; towards apex and beneath pale purple-grey. Legs pale purple-grey. Forewings broadly triangular, costa straight to |, thence strongly arched, apex rounded, termen nearly straight, scarcely sinuate beneath apex, slightly oblique ; orange-brown ; costa broadly suffused with grey to beyond middle ; lines purple-reddish; first from f costa to ^ dorsum, gently waved; second from apical blotch to f dorsum, broad, preceded by a slender parallel line ; ocellus oval with axis longitudinal, pale crimson, slenderly edged anteriorly with whitish, posteriorly with yellow, with an outer ring anteriorly dark reddish, posteriorly fuscous, in its centre a hyaline dot ; apical blotch ill-defined, irregular, whitish mixed and edged with crim- son, containing a blackish spot beneath costa; a brown terminal line; cilia yellow, apices grey. Hindwings strongly rounded; colour and markings as forewings; postmedian line curved and crenate; ocellus smaller and more circular. Underside ochreous suffused with whitish- crimson; outer ring of ocellus exaggerated posteriorly. The female is less brightly coloured, and has the markings less pronounced. Queensland : Mount Tambourine in January and March ; three specimens received from Mr. E. J. Dumigan. We owe this interesting species to the well-known naturalist Mr. Bartlett, whose sons found the larvae feeding on Lit sea reticulata {Lauracece). It forms a small dark-brown, thin-shelled cocoon. Fam. Larentiadae. Chloroclytis embolocosma n. sp. ifi^oXoKoafjLos, with wedge-shaped ornament — ? .18 mm. Head, thorax, and abdomen grey. Palpi 1^; grey, sprinkled with fuscous. Antenna grey. Legs pale grey ; anterior and middle pairs sprinkled with fuscous. Forewings triangular, costa moderately arched, apex pointed, termen very slightly rounded, oblique ; whitish-grey partly ochreous-tinged ; markings fuscous ; a sub-basal costal dot ; fine oblique lines in basal area ; a large truncate dark fuscous 26 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. wedge, its centre paler, extending on costa from | to f, outwardly oblique; reaching half across disc, its outer edge being part of post- median line, edged posteriorly by a fine white line; postmedian from wedge to f dorsum, dentate, edged by a white line and this by a fine fuscous line ; two finely dentate subterminal lines ; a terminal line ; cilia whitish with obscure grey bars. Hindwings with termen rounded ; grey with two obscurely darker subterminal lines; cilia whitish-grey. Queensland : Brisbane, in February ; one specimen. Euphyia propinqua n. sp. ^ propinquus, similar — .36-40 mm. Closely allied to E. anthracinata from Victoria and Tasmania, but in both sexes the termen of forewings is straight. The male of the latter is immediately distinguished by its falcate forewings, with strongly projecting apex and slightly concave termen, a unique character in the genus. The females of the two species are difficult to distinguish. In E, propinqua the transverse lines are more crenulate, the antemedian and postmedian lines less strongly marked, but partly edged with white, and there is a fine crenulate whitish subterminal line, but these characters might not hold for a long series. I can detect no structural differences in antennce, palpi, or neuration. West Australia ; Denmark, in March; three specimens ( 2(J I5) received from Mr. W. B, Barnard, who has the type. Euphyia phaulophanes n. sp. <j>avXo(j)avris , mean-looking — (^5 .22-24 mm. Head and thorax fuscous. Palpi 2J; fuscous. AntennaB fuscous; in male slightly serrate and minutely ciliated. Abdomen grey. Legs fuscous. Forewings triangular, costa straight except at extremities, apex pointed, termen gently rounded, oblique, vravy; pale fuscous; a moderate slightly darker basal patch; a slightly darker median band defined by very slender whitish lines ; anterior line slightly curved, wavy, indistinct; posterior from f costa to f dorsum, wavy, scarcely projecting in middle, followed closely by one or two parallel lines ; an interrupted dark fuscous terminal line ; cilia fuscous. Hindwings with termen strongly rounded ; pale grey ; cilia pale grey. West Australia: Denmark, in March; two specimens received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. Fam. Sterrhidae. Ghrysocraspeda eumeles n. sp. €V[jb€Xr)s, harmonious — *20 mm. Head rosy ; face whitish-rosy. Palpi less than 1, slender, appressed to lower end of face, terminal joint minute ; rosy. Antennge rosy ; pectinations in male 1, whitish. Abdomen whitish, partly rosy on dorsum. Legs rosy ; posterior pair whitish. Forewings triangular, costa slightly arched, apex rounded, termen slightly rounded, slightly oblique ; rosy finely and uniformly stringulated with yellow, except on a broad costal streak, which extends to about f ; cilia yellow. Hindwings with termen rounded ; as forewings but without costal streak. NEW AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA. 27 The genus Chrysocraspeda contains a fair number of species in the Eastern Tropics. This is the second Australian species, and may readily be distinguished from the variable C. cruoraria by the differently shaped hindwings, which in that species are quadrate with strongly angled termen. North Queensland : Cape York, in April and May ; two specimens received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. Fam. Geometridae. Gen. Oxyphanes nov. ^ ^^v(j)avr]s, sharply formed— Face smooth, not projecting. Tongue well developed. Palpi very short (less than 1), slender, ascending, closely appressed to face. Antennae in male bipectinate, towards apex simple. Thorax with a moderate rounded posterior crest; hairy beneath. Abdomen with crests on third and fourth segments. Femora hairy. Posterior tibiae with middle spurs. Forewings with 3 and 4 separate, 5 from above middle of cell, 6 from upper angle, 7, 8, 9 stalked, 9 separating before 7, 10 and 11 from cell by a common stalk. Hindwings with 3 and 4 separate ; 5 from much above middle of cell, 12 approximated to icell at thence diverging. Frenulum and retinaculum in male well developed. Probably a derivative of Sterictopsis. The stalking of 10 and 11 of tlie forewings is a peculiar character. Oxyphanes thiohapta n. sp. ^etOjSaTTTOs*, sulphur-tinged — ^ .25 mm. Head white sprinkled with fuscous. Palpi fuscous, towards base white. Antennae fuscous; pectinations in male 5, apical ^ simple. Forewings sharply triangular, costa straight, slightly arched towards apex, apex round-pointed, termen slightly rounded; white densely irrorated with fuscous, appearing grey ; markings dark fuscous ; a subdorsal line broad to thence narrower to termen ; short oblique streaks from costa before and after middle, the latter continued as an obscure finely dentate line, bent inwards in mid-disc and continued to dorsum ; cilia fuscous with white bars. Hindwings with termen rounded ; pale yellow ; a sharply defined broad dark fuscous terminal band, contain- ing some white scales near termen ; cilia as forewings. Underside whitish with dark fuscous discal marks and terminal bands on both wings. Queensland : Talwood, in November ; one specimen received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. Fam. Oenochromidae. Taxeotis euryzona n. sp. €vpv^(x)vos, broadly banded — .28-30 mm. Head pale grey ; face blackish. Palpi ; blackish, base sharply white. Antenme grey ; in male slightly laminate, ciliations 1. Thorax and abdomen grey. Legs grey. Forewings triangular, costa scarcely arched, apex pointed, termen almost straight, moderately oblique; 12 connected by a bar with areole (1(^ 1$) ; pale grey; fine fuscous lines from J costa to J dorsum, slightly curved, and from f costa to f dorsum, curved outwardly beneath costa, finely crenulate ; included 28 PPIOCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. space between lines fuscous except on costa; within this median band a short median transverse subcostal blackish discal streak; subterminal and terminal series of blackish dots; cilia pale grey. Hindwings with termen rounded ; pale grey ; a terminal series of blackish dots ; cilia pale grey. The fuscous median band may not be a constant character. Queensland : Mitchell and Charleville, in September ; two specimens. vcorooTLKTos with dorsal spots — $ .26-30 mm. Head grey-whitish or grey ; face blackish. Palpi IJ; blackish, base sharply white. Antennae' grey, often whitish towards base. Thorax and abdomen grey with a few blackish scales. Legs grey, sprinkled with fuscous. Porewings triangular, costa gently arched, apex pointed, termen almost straight, moderately oblique ; 12 connected by a bar with areole (44?) ; grey; markings and some scattered scales blackish ; an interrupted line from J costa ending in a spot on ^ dorsum ; a second line from f costa ending in a spot on dorsum at f ; followed by some obscure brownish dots ; a well-marked median subcostal discal dot ; subterminal line scarcely indicated ; a terminal series of dots ; cilia grey. Hindwings with termen slightly rounded ; grey ; cilia grey. Queensland : Mitchell, in September ; Charleville, in August ; four specimens. Taxeotis pachygramma Low. *20-22 mm. Antennae shortly bipectinate (1|) nearly to apex. Forewings with vein 12 free. The discovery of this sex necessitates the removal of the species from Epidesmia. It is somewhat anomalous in the genus Taxeotis, but has no characters justifying generic separation. Queensland : Milmerran, in March ; two specimens received from Mr. J. Macqueen. This genus now includes five known species. It appears to be characteristic of the more or less arid regions of the continent, in which further discoveries may be expected. The species are all of sombre colouring, and nearly allied. yecfyvpeos, bridgfd — .20-26 mm. Head grey. Palpi in male 5, in female 6 ; grey, sprinkled with fuscous. Antennas fuscous; pectinations in male 6. Thorax grey, sprinkled with fuscous. Abdomen grey, with a few fuscous scales. Legs grey- whitish, sprinkled with fuscous. Forewings triangular, costa straight to near apex, apex pointed, termen slightly rounded, slightly oblique ; grey-whitish, sparsely sprinkled with fuscous ; markings fuscous ; a short subcostal streak and a longer median streak from base, the latter reaching first line; first line strong; from ^ costa obliquely outwards, acutely angled inwards in middle, ending on | dorsum; second line nearly straight, acutely dentate, from | costa to f dorsum ; Taxeotis notosticta n. spA' Gen. Phrixocomes Turn. Phrixacomes gephyrea n. sp. NEW AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA. 29 a strong median longitudinal streak connects first line with second ; a sharply dentate snbterniinal line, ill-defined anteriorly, sometimes inter- rupted ; short interneural streaks running into termen ; cilia grey whitish barred with fuscous. Hindwings with termen rounded ; pale grey ; cilia wliitish-grey. Probably near P. nexistriga Warr. I have not seen that species, but according to Warren it has a sinuous longitudinal line running from base of costa to termen. Queensland : In September and December ; four specimens received from Mr. J. Macqueen. Phrixocomes hedrasticJia n. sp. i.hpaxjTLXoSy with basal streaks — .19-25 mm. Head grey. Palpi 8 ; grey, sprinkled with fuscous^ base beneath whitish. Antennge fuscous ; pectinations in male 8. Thorax grey, sprinkled with fuscous. Abdomen pale grey. Legs fuscous ; ])osterior pair grey. Porewings triangular, rather elongate, costa rather strongly arched, apex obtusely pointed, termen slightly rounded, slightly oblique ; grey- whitish, with rather dense fuscous irroration and mark- ings ; two short longitudinal sub-basal streaks ; first line obsolete, or indicated by two or three dots only ; second line from f costa to f dorsum, slender, crenulate, white-edged posteriorly ; a subterminal line from apex slender, slightly dentate, white-edged posteriorly; from this run interneural whitish lines to termen ; cilia grey with some whitish bars beneath apex. Hindwings with termen rounded ; pale grey ; a fuscous terminal line ; cilia pale grey. Closely allied to P. steropias Meyr. and P. ptilomacra Low., both of which lack the basal and terminal streaks and have a sharply angled first line. Queensland : Milmerran, in August and December ; four specimens received from Mr. J. Macqueen. Pam. Notodontidae. ^ Gen. Parameces nov. TTapafjLrjKT]? y oblong — Tongue strongly developed. Prons with a triangular anterior tuft of scales. (Palpi broken off in type). Antennsei in male pectinated to apex. Abdomen wdth small crest on basal segment. Porewings smooth ; 5 from middle, areole long, 7 and 10 arising separately before its end. Hindwings with 5 from middle, 6 and 7 connate, 12 anastomosing with cell at thence gradually diverging. Near PolycJioa Turn., with which it agrees in 6 and 7 of hindwings not being stalked, but the forewings are smooth and 12 of hindwings. anastomoses with the cell. Parameces glauca n. sp. glaucus, bluish-green — 45 mm. Head fuscous, with a few green scales on crowin Antennae fuscous; pectinations in male 6. Thorax fuscous. Abdomen grey. Legs grey ; anterior pair fuscous. Porewings suboblong, costa slightly arched, apex round-rectangular-rectangular, termen straight not R.S. — B. •30 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. oblique ; bluish-green ; a transverse brown fascia from costa near base not reaching torims ; a double antemedian line at fuscous, irregularly dentate ; posterior line at f, also double, finely dentate ; two-thirds of the •area included between these lines is occupied by a square brown costal blotch containing three fuscous dots forming a nearly equilateral triangle ; a subterminal line of white dots margined with fuscous ; an interrupted fuscous submarginal line ; cilia fuscous with obscure whitish bars. Hindwings with termen rounded ; grey ; cilia grey, apices whitish. North Queensland : Kuranda ; one specimen received from Mr, F. P. Dodd. ^ Pam. Syntomidae. Syntomis intensa Butl. Journ, Lin. Soc. Zool. xii., p. 353 (1876). Although this is distinguishable from S. annulata by a practised eye, I have hitherto regarded it as a form of that species, but am now satisfied, that it is a good species. S. intensa has proportionately longer and narrower wings, and the spots are more transparent, except the basal spots on both wings. These last often contrast with the peripheral spots in their deeper colour. Both species show analogous variations in the size of the spots. Both vary in size, but on the average S. intensa is 1he smaller. What is of more importance is that in S. intensa^ the females are the larger, but in 8. anmilaia the males. This difference, which is much more striking to the eye than is shown by the following measure- ments should be decisive. In a series of 22 male 8. intensa the expanse varies from 30 to 40 mm. ; in 11 females from 30 to 48 mm. In 17 male 'S', amiulata the expanse varies from 34 to 48 mm. ; in 11 females from •30 to 42 mm. North Queensland: Herberton, Queensland; Nambour; Brisbane; Toowoomba ; Bunya Mountains (3,500 ft.) ; Mount Tambourine ; National Park (2,000-2,500 ft.); Tweed Heads; Killamey. New South Wales: Lismore ; Gosford ; Moruya. 8yntomis melitospila Turn. This species may be distinguished from 8. pyrocoma by the follow- ing characters: — Wings without iridescence; spots large, thinly scaled, pale yellow, not orange ; proximal and distal spots of hindwings usually confluent or closely approximated on vein 2 ; females much smaller than males, 8. melitospila (8A), 36-44 mm. (32), 28-32 mm. pyrocoma (26 ^ ), 32-52 mm. (14. $ ), 38-46 mm. Queensland : Gayndah ; Toowoomba ; Dalby ; Milmerran ; Inglewood. New South Wales: Murrurundi. It appears to be an inland species. Pam. Noctuidae. Subfam. melanchrinae. 8ideridis cryptargyrea B-Bak. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), xv., p. 197 (1905). Hmps. Cat. Lep. Phal. V., p. 499. PL 91, f. 32. North Queensland: Cape York; one specimen received from Mr. Geo. Lyell. Also from New Guinea. NEW AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA. 31 Subfam. acronyctinae. Xenopseustis poecilastis Meyr. Trans. Ent. Soc. (1897), p. 370 — Having taken an example of this species I find that it is referable to the Acronyctinoe, though aberrant in structure. Perhaps it has some affinity with Azenia Grote and Aegle Hb. Queensland: Duaringa, in February; Inglewood, in November. Gen. ThalatJia Wlk. I have come to the conclusion that Molvena Wlk. and Hedymiges Turn, are not distinguishable from this genus. Its chief characteristics (I refer to the Australian species) are the strongly projecting face with slight central depression, the long cell of hindwings (f), the thorax with posterior and sometimes slight anterior crest, and the more or less, developed dorsal crests on first three abdominal segments. There are six known Australian species, the two here described, aridoxa Turn.,, melanopkrica Turn., guttalis Wlk., and psorallina Low. ThalatJia hippolopha n. sp. l7T7To\o(f)os, strongly crested — .28 mm. Head white. Palpi 1 ; fuscous, terminal and apex of second joint white. Antennse white annulated with blackish ; ciliations in male minute. Thorax with prominent bifid posterior crest, white, a precentral dot, lateral edges, and apex of crest blackish. Abdomen with a small crest at base and a strong erect crest on third segment; white, crests and irroration blackish. Legs white with blackish rings except on posterior pair. Fore wings elongate-triangular ; costa gently arched,, apex round-pointed, termen slightly oblique, rounded beneath; white sprinkled with pale grey-green ; markings blackish ; a transverse basal line ; a line from costa near base forming an oblong posterior projection and ending near base of dorsum ; a suffused oblique fascia from i costa to mid-dorsum, where it is broader and darker, preceded by some brown scales in mid-disc ; a medium oblique bar from costa not reaching middle ; four or five dots on apical half of costa ; a fine acutely dentate line from costa near apex parallel to termen, beneath middle bent inwards to join fascia above dorsum; a series of short streaks on veins running into termen ; cilia white with blackish bars. Hindwings with termen rounded ; white densely sprinkled with fuscous; a postmedian detate line faintly indicated ; cilia as forewings. New South Wales: Murrurundi, in A^pril; one specimen received from Dr. B. L. Middleton. Thalatha artificiosa n. sp. artificiosus, artificial — $ .35 mm. Head white ; a spot between antenme and a transverse crescent on face blackish. Palpi IJ; blackish, apices of basal and terminal joints narrowly white. Antenme fuscous, basal joint and dorsum slightly beyond, white. Thorax white ; two pairs of spots, a transverse line on patagia, and two spots on each tegula, blackish. Abdomen white, bases of segments blackish. Legs blackish with white rings. Forewings elongate-triangular, costa nearly straight, apex rounded, termen rounded, slightly oblique ; white, with blackish dots and markings ; nine costal, one basal, and three sub-basal dots; from fifth costal dot at ^ a :32 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. tj-ansverse series of dots, first posterior, second anterior, fourth opposite fifth on I dorsum ; sixth costal dot on middle, double, giving origin to a n angled line of dots ending on f dorsum ^ this is followed by a post- median transverse series ; an apical collection of dots, largely confiuent, extending to midtermen ; a snbterminal series from this to tornus ; terminal edge alternately white and blackish ; cilia white, with blackish bars. Hindwings with termen rounded; white, with fuscous markings; a median dot, faint antemedian and postmedian lines, and an apical blotch ; cilia white, with fuscous bars except on dorsum. Queensland : Toowoomba, in February ; one specimen received from ]\Ir. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. Chasmina lispodes n. sp. AlgttojStjs, smooth — .28-30 mm. $ .38-40 mm. Head and thorax whitish-brown. Palpi reaching vertex ; pale grey-brown. Antennae grey, towards base ^vhitish; ciliations in male extremely minute. Abdomen whitish- ochreoLis. Legs brown- whitish ; posterior pair whitish. Forewings elongate-triangular ; costa slight^ arched, apex rounded-rectangular, termen slightly rounded, slightly oblicjue, slightly crenulate ; glossy wliitish-brown ; a faint pale line from J costa to ^ dorsum ; a minute pale fuscous median subcostal dot; a whitish-ochreous line from f costa to dorsum ; a very pale fuscous crenulate subterminal line edged posteriorly with whitish-ochreous; a submarginal series of pale fuscous dots ; cilia pale fuscous, apices whitish. Hindwings with termen rounded ; whitish-ochreous ; cilia whitish. Varietal form. Forewings sparsely sprinkled with fuscous; markings more distinct ; antemedian line fuscous-edged posteriorly ; postmedian line fuscous-edged anteriorly. One female. North-west Australia: Wyndham, in November and January; four specimens received from Mr. T. G. Campbell. Caradrina eupoiia n. sp. eviToXtog, grey — .30-36 mm. Head pale grey. Palpi grey- whitish ; external surface of second joint except anterior edge and apex dark fuscous. Antennae' fuscous; in male with fascicles of cilia (1). Thorax pale grey, in female darker. Abdomen grey. Legs grey-whitish, sprinkled with dark fuscous ; tarsi dark fuscous, with whitish rings. Forewings elongate-triangular, costa almost straight, apex rectangular, termen slightly rounded, hardly oblique ; pale grey in male, dark grey in female ; numerous wavy, indistinct fuscous transverse lines ; post- median from costal dot at f, outwardly oblique, angled beyond rem- form, beneath this angled slightly inwards, ending on f dorsum, indistinct or dotted; subterminal nearly straight; orbicular obsolete; reniform small narrow transversely oval, brownish edged with fuscous; i]i female sometimes obsolete ; a series of small fuscous terminal dots ; cilia grey, apices whitish. Hindwings with termen rounded, sinuate ; wliitish with grey suffusion towards termen and some grey scales on veins ; cilia whitish. Underside of forewings grey ; of hindwings grey- whitish ; forewings with obscure postmedian discal and dotted subter- minal line; hindwings with fuscous median dot and postmedian line of dots. NEW AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA. 33 45:ix Queensland: Jericho, in May; Barcaldine and Arainac, in June: specimens. Subfam. ERASTRUiNAE. Eiihlemma stereoscia n. sp. orepeoGKLos y straightly shaded — $ .14-20 mm. Head and palpi brownish-ochreous. Antennae grey. Thorax and abdomen grey-whitish. Legs pale brown ; posterior pair whitish. Forewings triangular, costa straight, apex rectangular, termen strongly bowed, sinuate beneath apex, not oblique; a strong oblique straight fuscous shade from | dorsum to apex, sharply defined posteriorly ; fuscous costal dots at and middle ; from the latter an oblique series of four dots to J dorsum ; a fine fuscous line from f costa angled in middle, ending on | dorsum, sometimes reduced to a series of dots; oblique shade at apex ochreous-fuscous, with three minute whitish marks on costa and a dark fuscous spot beneath ; terminal area suffused with grey; subterminal line indicated b}^ some fuscous dots; a grej^ submarginal and a whitish terminal line; cilia ochreous-grey. Hind- wings with rounded apex, termen straight to near tornus ; whitish ; a small triangular fuscous blotch touching dorsum above tornus ; traces of dotted postmedian and subterminal lines; terminal area and cilia as forewings. North Queensland: Cape York, in April and June; two specimens received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. Catohlemma trigonograplia n. sp. rpiyovoypa^o's y with triangular marking — .18-20 mm. Head whitish. Palpi in male 2J, in female 3 ; whitish-grey. Antenme grey-whitish ; ciliations in male 3. Thorax whitish ; patagia brownish-tinged. Abdomen grey- whitish. Legs whitish ; anterior tibiae and tarsi pale grey. Porewings triangular, costa straight, apex rectangular, termen strongly rounded, slightly oblique ; whitish-grey very faintly pinkish-tinged ; slight fuscous irroration on costa to f ; a paler triangle based on costa from to apex, less distinct in female, its apex ill-defined ; an obscure suffused discal spot at | ; a short oblique fuscous streak from apex, preceded by a white costal dot ; sometimes a subterminal series of dots from apex of this streak ; cilia concolorous. Hindwings with termen rounded ; colour and cilia as fore- wings. Near C. aorosticha Turn, and C. aplecta Turn., but almost devoid of colour. The costal triangle, though obscure, is a good character. In C. acrosiicha the male antennge are slightly laminate with very short ciliations. North Queensland : Charters Towers, in June ; one male. Queens- land : Rosewood, in September, one male ; Roma, in November, two female examples bred by Mr. W. A. Summerville from larvsfe feeding on scale insects. Gen. Ecnomia nov. dKvopioSy unusual — Tongue present. Face smooth, not projecting. Palpi short, curved upwards and appressed to face, not reaching vertex ; second joint moder- ately stout, smooth-scaled ; terminal joint minute. Antennae in male 34 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. simple. Thorax and abdomen not crested. Legs smooth. Forewings; without areole, 8 and 9 stalked, 7 and 10 separate. Hindwings with 3^ and 4 long-stalked, 5 remote, 6 and 7 separate, diverging, 12 anastomos- ing with cell to beyond middle. Easily recognised by the neuration. Ecnomia hesycMma n. sp. 'qavxt'iJios, quiet — o .15 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax pale grey. Antennae pale fuscous. Abdomen whitish-grey. Legs pale grey ; posterior pair whitish. Forewings elongate-triangular, costa straight, apex rounded, termen slightly rounded, slightly oblique ; pale grey ; fuscous costal dots near u base and at ^ ; a triangular white dorsal spot before middle, preceded ])y some brown and fuscous suffusion ; a broad suffused brown median fascia, its posterior and lower half of anterior surface edged by fuscous lines, the former preceded by a similar line ; these postmedian lines connected beneath costa and preceded by a fuscous dot ; beyond fascia a white line, suffused and broadened towards costa, where it touches apex ; a faint whitish line from apex to tornus ; a terminal series of fuscous dots ; cilia whitish. Hindwings with termen gently rounded ; pale grey ; cilia whitish. North Queensland : Kuranda, in June ; one specimen. Gen. Amhlyzancla nov. dy,^Xv^ayKXos, with blunt sickles — Tongue present. Frons rounded, somewhat projecting. Palpi long, ascending, appressed to face, exceeding vertex; second joint long, much thickened with appressed scales, especially posteriorly, apex broad, abruptly quadrate; terminal joint minute. Antenme of male minutely ciliated. Thorax smooth, without crest. Abdomen with small crests on first two segments. Legs smooth-scaled. Forewings without areole, 7, 8, 9, 10 stalked, 7 separating before 10. Hindwings with 5 closely approximated to 4 at, origin, 12 anastomosing with cell near base. Probably nearest Euthytoma Turn. Himerois Turn, has 10 of fore- wings separating before 7. Amhlyzancla declivis n. sp. declivis, oblique — (^5 .15-20 mm. Head brownish-oehreous. Palpi reddish-purple. Antennge grey. Thorax fuscous-brown, anteriorly brownish-oehreous. Abdomen grey. Legs whitish ; tarsi grey, with whitish rings ; anterior and middle tibige reddish-purple. Forewings elongate-triangular, costa straight to f, thence strongly arched, apex rounded-rectangular, termen rounded, slightly oblique ; reddish-purple, with some fuscous suffusion towards basal half of dorsum and before postmedian streak ; this runs from mid-dorsum nearly to apex, and is there acutely angled inwards to costa, slender, whitish, preceded by an ochreous-fuscous suffused line ; a fuscous terminal line ; cilia pale ochreous-fuscous. Hindwings some- what elongate, termen gently rounded ; dark grey ; cilia grey-whitish. North Queensland: Cape York, in October, November, and April; four si)ecimens received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. NEW AUSTRALIAN LEPIDQPTERA. 35 Corgatha molyl)dophaes n. sp. ,fioXv^So(l)ar]s, leaden-shiniDg. -20-22 mm. Head and thorax white. Palpi 3 ; ochreous. Antenna3 ochreous, with some fuscous scales ; ciliations in male 1^. Abdomen brown; apices of segments fuscous; two basal segments and underside whitish-ochreous. Legs ochreous. Forewings triangular, costa straight to near apex, apex pointed, termen angled on vein 3 ; basal area white ; an interrupted costal line of leaden-metallic scales to beyond middle ; costa edge ochreous ; a narrow fascia from costa beyond middle to mid-dorsum, with a strong posterior tooth, reddish-brown with some fuscous scales and a subcostal leaden-metallic spot; this is preceded towards dorsum by a pale grey suffusion, and edged posteriorly by a white line ; beyond this a pale-grey parallel fascia edged posteriorly by a white line ; terminal area pale-grey, with reddish-brown subapical and supratornal and white median spots ; cilia reddish-brown, with ‘ some ochreous bars. Hindwings with termen rounded ; reddish-brown, towards base and costa whitish-ochreous ; transverse f ascise at middle and f , leaden-metallic mixed with fuscous, not reaching costa ; cilia reddish- brown, on dorsum ochreous. New South Wales: Murrurundi, in December and February; three specimens received from Dr. B. L. Middleton. Corgatha ancistrod.es n. sp. ayKKyrpcoZrj^ , hook-shaped — -22 mm. Head and thorax reddish-brown. Palpi 3 ; reddish- brown. Antennai grey ; ciliations in male 2. Abdomen reddish-brown ; underside grey. Legs grey. Forewings triangular, costa straight to near apex, there strongly arched, apex strongly produced in a hook- shaped point, termen strongly sinuate, not oblique ; reddish-brown, with a few scattered fuscous scales; a fine pinkish-white line from midcosta outwards, forming an acute angle, thence inwards to mid-dorsum; some fuscous suffusion on costa before middle ; subcostal fuscous dots at ^ and middle; cilia white, on apex and tornus fuscous. Hindwings with tornus prominent, dorsum long, termen slightly rounded ; as forewings, but median line straight. Queensland Toowoomba, in October ; Bunya Mountains, in February; two specimens received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. Corgatha^ pleuroplaca n. sp. TrXevpoTrXaKos , v ith costal plates — S *23 mm. Head and thorax white. Palpi 2^ ; pale-grey. Antennse grey ; ciliations in male IJ. Abdomen white, partly suffused with grey. Legs grey ; tarsi fuscous, with white rings ; posterior femora and tibiie white. Forewings triangular, costa straight, apex round-pointed, termen bowed on vein 4 ; sinuate beneath apex, oblique ; white, suffused with pale fuscous ; a large irregular blackish costal blotch extending from base to -J ; a smaller oblong median blotch just beyond ; a short streak on dorsum near base ; a white transverse line beyond first blotch ; a slightly dentate white line from f costa, outwardly curved, strongly angled inwards above dorsum, edged anteriorly by a pale fuscous line ; some fuscous suffusion containing two white dots on costa before apex ; small fuscous blotches on termen beneath apex and above tornus ; a terminal series of blackish 36 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. dots ; cilia fuscous-brown, narrowly barred with white. Hindwings with termen slightly rounded; pale fuscous becoming whitish towards base;, a transverse fuscous line at -J ; a transverse white line at f ; a terminal series of fuscous dots ; cilia white, with a median fuscous-brown line. West Australia: Busselton, in February; one specimen received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. Metasada pleurosticta n. sp. 7r\€vpGTiKTos y with costal dots — -24 mm. Head and thorax brown. Palpi 2 ; brown, sprinkled with fuscous. Antennae grey; ciliations in male 1. Abdomen brown;, crest and apices of postmedian segments blackish. Legs pale ochreous; anterior pair brownish, with tibiae partly fuscous, tarsi fuscous, white- ringed. Forewings triangular, costa straight to f, thence slightly arched, apex pointed ; termen slightly rounded, slightly oblique, slightly crenulate ; brown ; white fuscous-edged dots on costa at J and middle ; other markings fuscous ; a basal costal spot ; a transverse series of minute dots at -J ; a small median subcostal dot ; an outwardly bowed postmedian series of dots ; a small subterminal blotch beneath costa ; a terminal series of dots ; cilia brown, with three fuscous bars beneath apex. Hind- wings with termen rounded ; brown ; a transverse series of dots at J and two or three postmedian ; an irregular tornal suffusion ; a terminal series of dots ; cilia brown. As vein 10 of forewings arises separately from the areole, this is hardly a true Metasada, and it will probably be necessary to form a new genus, but I prefer to await further material. North Queensland : Cape York, in November ; one specimen received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. Metasada sideropasta n. sp. oL^epoTTaGTOs, steel-sprinkled — o -22-24 mm. Head and thorax fuscous, with some white scales. Palpi pale-brown. Antennae grey; cilia in male 2. Abdomen fuscous- brown, towards apex sprinkled with white. Legs fuscous, with white tarsal rings. Forewings triangular, costa straight to near apex, there strongly arched, apex pointed, termen bisinuate, oblique ; fuscous-grey, becoming fuscous on costa; a basal dorsal spot and transverse lines white ; first line from f costa to f dorsum, dentate ; second from f costa to f dorsum, finely dentate, angled outwards beneath costa and inwards above dorsum ; reniform transversely oblong, fuscous sprinkled with lustrous steel-grey scales ; similar scales precede first line and also form a wavy subterminal band; disc preceding and following second line partly whitish ; a small subapical pale ochreous costal blotch, separated from costal edge by a white dot between two fuscous dots; a narrow terminal band ochreous strigulated with fuscous; cilia fuscous, with several ochreous- whitish dots. Hindwings with termen rounded ; grey ; basal area grey- whitish, with a grey median dot at J; a slender wavy whitish transverse median line ; cilia as forewings. This is a true Metasada, and 10 of forewings is connate with 7, 8, 9 from areole. Queensland : Milmerran, in October ; two specimens received from; Mr. J. Macqueen. NEW AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA. 37 Oruza crocotoschehna^ n. sp. Kp'jKOJTO(JX'f]l^os , saffron-patterned — .18-21 mm. Head ochreous. Palpi 1; ochreous. Antennge ocreous; ciliations in male minute. Thorax ochreous- whitish, anteriorly ochreous. Abdomen and legs ochreous. Forewings triangular, costa slightly arched, apex rectangular, termen straight, rounded beneath; ochreous-whitish ; markings orange-brown-ochreous ; a dot on costa near base ; a broad wavy transverse line at J ; postmedian line from midcosta, strongly curved outwards and then inwards to f dorsum, slightly dentate, partly enclosing and sometimes confluent with an oblong reniform ; a .subterminal line, interrupted above middle, and a terminal line connected with it by streaks on veins; cilia whitish-ochreous. Hindwings with termen rounded ; whitish-ochreous, darker towards termen, with a faint postmedian line ; cilia, whitish-ochreous. North Queensland: Cape York, in April and May; four specimens received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. Oruza maerens n. sp. maerens^ mournful — $ -25 mm. Head and thorax grey, sparsely sprinkled with fuscous. Palpi 2J ; fuscous sprinkled with white. Antennas grey. Abdomen grey. Legs whitish, finely sprinkled with fuscous. Porewings triangular, costa slightly arched, apex subrectangular, termen slightly rounded; slightly oblique; grey, with scanty fuscous irroratioii; costal edge reddish to I, beyond this whitish-ochreous, interrupted by two fuscous dots; a fuscous mark on f costa, giving rise to a very obscure slender dark line sinuate to f dorsum ; a white discal dot immediately precedes this ; a very slender crenulate dark subterminal line ; cilia fuscous, apices white. Hindwings with termen rounded; as forewings, but with a straight median transverse line not reaching costa. Nearest 0. litkochroma Turn. Queensland : Mitchell, in September ; one specimen. Gen. Pediarcha nov. TTehiapxps, lord of the plains — Tongue present. Frons with rounded prominence. Palpi short, porrect, moderately thickened, with appressed scales, slightly rough beneath ; terminal joint short, obtuse. Thorax not crested. Abdomen with a small basal crest. Legs smooth-scaled. Forewings with areole present, 2 from f, 3, 4, 5, well separate, 3 from angle, 5 from below middle, 6 from upper angle, 7 from areole closely approximated, connate, or short-stalked, with 8, 9, 10 separate from areole, 11 from |. Hind- wings with 3 and 4 connate, 5 from well above angle (^), 6 and 7 connate, or short-stalked, 12 anastomosing with cell from -J to Pediarcha smgularis n. sp. singidaris, unique — o5 *24-28 mm. Head orange, with anterior and posterior bars on crown blackish. Palpi 1 ; blackish, inner surface except apex orange. Antennae fuscous. Thorax blackish ; anterior edge and a large posterior spot orange ; Abdomen orange ; basal crest and a spot on second segment blackish; penultimate segment in female grey; beneath dark fuscous. Legs fuscous; posterior tibiae ochreous. Forewings triangular, costa straight, apex pointed, termen slightly rounded, slightly oblique ; blackish, with pale ochreous markings ; a narrow costal 38 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. line from base almost to apex; a large oblique subOval spot from base of dorsum to beneath ^ costa ; an incomplete fascia from just before tornus, ending in a rounded extremity beneath costa beyond middle; a broad terminal line, narrowing towards extremities, not quite reaching apex and tornus ; cilia blackish. Hindwings with termen rounded ; orange, with blackish markings ; a supratornal blotch, sometimes continued into a broad line to costa ; a narrow terminal band ; cilia blackish. Queensland : Cunnamulla, in September and March ; four specimens received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. Subfam. sarrhothripinae. Nanaguna orhiculigera n. sp. orhic'idigerns, bearing a small circle — -22 mm. Head white, with a few fuscous scales. Palpi long, ascending, appressed to face ; second joint reaching vertex ; terminal joint f , obtuse ; white, sprinkled with reddish, a subapical fuscous dot on external surface of terminal joint. Antennae fuscous; ciliations in male minute. Thorax white, posteriorly sprinkled with grey; a broad dark fuscous transverse bar on patagia. Abdomen dark grey; apices of segments narrowly whitish. Legs white ; anterior tibiae and tarsi mixed with fuscous. Forewings suboblong, costa strongly arched to -J, thence nearly straight, apex rounded-rectangular, termen not oblique,, rounded beneath ; whitish, with patchy grey and fuscous suffusion ; a dark fuscous triangular basal patch edged by a white line from ^ costa to J dorsum ; a median transverse fascia containing a large circular spot, slightly brownish-tinged, defined by whitish fuscous-edged lines, anterior from f costa to mid-dorsum, forming a posterior tooth beneath spot, posterior from f costa to f dorsum, outwardly curved in middle ; a sinuate dark fuscous subterminal line from apex to tornus ; a terminal series of longitudinally elongate dots; cilia grey, obscurely barred with whitish. Hindwings with apex strongly rounded, termen only slightly ; dark grey, paler towards base ; cilia as forewings. North Queensland: Tully, near Innisfail, in July; one specimen. Gen. Lathraeolis nov. AaOpaioXig, fitted for concealment — Tongue present. Palpi moderate, obliquel}^ ascending, not reach- ing vertex, moderately thickened with rather rough scales ; terminal joint very short, obtuse. Antenna of male bipectinate nearly to apex,, pectinations long. Thorax with a posterior crest. Abdomen with dorsal crest on basal segment only. Fore wings with raised scales ; 2 from angle, 3 and 4 well separate, 5 closely approximated to 4 at origin, 6 from above middle of cell, 10 and 11 free from cell, 10 approximated to 9. Hindwings ample ; 2 from f , 4 absent, 3 and 5 connate, 6 and 7 connate, 12 approximated to cell to beyond middle. Perhaps nearest to Elesma Wlk., but the relationship appears rather^ remote. Lathraeolis spodochroa n. sp. oTToSoxpoos, ash-grey — ^ -28-35 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax fuscous, sprinkled with white, appearing grey. Antennae grey ; pectinations in male 5. Abdomen whitish-ochreous ; basal tuft grey. Legs fuscous, sprinkled with whitish ; posterior pair mostly whitish. Forewings elongate- triangular, costa strongly arched, apex rounded, termen obliquely rounded; fuscous densely irrorated with white, appearing grey; mark-- NEW AUSTRALIAN LEPIDQPTERA. ^ 39 ings fuscous ; an outwardly oblique line from J costa, below middle angled inwards, and then shortly outwards to ^ dorsum; a similar line from f costa to mid-dorsum, sometimes obsolete ; a third from f costa, inwardly oblique, but soon bent outwards, then sharply angled, beneath angle straight and finely dentate to f dorsum ; an obscure wavy whitish subterminal line ; a fine terminal line ; cilia concolorous. Hindwings broad, termen bisinuate, rounded ; grey, paler towards base ; cilia whitish. Queensland: Milmerran, in May; two specimens received from Mr. J. Macqueen. Gen. Dysapura nov. ^vaaiTovpos, anomalous — Tongue present. Face smooth, not projecting. Palpi recurved, appressed to face, reaching vertex ; second joint thickened with smoothly appressed scales; terminal joint short, acute. Antennae in male shortly ciliated. Thorax smooth. Abdomen with lateral incurved tufts on basal segment. Porewings with 2 from before angle, 3, 4, 5 closely approxi- mated at origin, 6 from well below angle, 7 and 8 stalked, 9 and 10 separate, 11 from f. Hindwings with 2, 3, 4 separate, 5 approximated to 6, 6 and 7 stalked, 12 approximated to cell as far as middle. This unusual neuration is hard to interpret. Dysapura xanthostioha n. sp. ^avdoGTLxos, yellow-streaked — o *22 mm. Head ochreous-yellow ; side-tufts and a spot on face reddish. Palpi ochreous-yellow. Antennse ochreous-yellow; ciliations in male 1. Thorax dull reddish ; a posterior spot and longitudinal streaks on tegulse ochreous-yellow. Abdomen grey; underside whitish. Legs whitish ; anterior pair ochreous-tinged ; posterior tibiae of male with a dense inferior tuft of pale ochreous hairs before middle spurs. Pore- wings suboblong, costa straight to middle, thence arched, apex rounded- rectangular, termen nearly straight, scarcely oblique ; dull reddish, with ochreous-yellow markings and streaks on veins ; a large irregular median spot ; an apical crescent containing a subterminal reddish line ; cilia grey, bases reddish. Hindwings with termeni (rounded ; fuscous ; a whitish costal blotch before f extending narrowly to base, cilia whitish, bases fuscous. North Queensland: Cape York, in May; one specimen received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. Subfam. aoontianae. Gen. Pseudalea nov. ifjevhaXeos, counterfeit— Tongue strong. Palpi smooth, very long, recurved, sickle-shaped, exceeding vertex; second joint moderately thickened, not reaching vertex; terminal joint f. Antennas not much shorter than forewing (^) ; in male with tufts of short cilia. Thorax smooth-scaled, but with small bifid posterior crest. Abdomen smooth, slender, nearly as long as forewing. Legs smooth; (posterior pair missing). Porewings with areole present, 2 from before middle, 3 from before angle, 4 and 5 approximated, from angle, 8 and 9 stalked from apex of areole, 6 and 10 separate from before its apex, 11 from |; retinaculum bar-shaped. Hindwings with 2 from f, 3, 4, 5 approximated, 6 and 7 connate, 12 anastomosing with cell near base, thence diverging. 40 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. Probably related to Cacy parts, with which it agrees in essential points of structure, hut in appearance strongly suggestive of the Pyraustinw. Pseudalea macro gastris n. sp. fjLaKpoyacrrpLs , long-bellied — , ^ -36 mm. Head and thorax fuscous. Palpi pale grey. Antennae i grey ; ciliations in male f . Abdomen 15 mm. in length ; grey. Legs grey; anterior pair fuscous, with whitish tarsal rings. Porewings elongate-triangular, costa straight, except near base and apex, apex round-pointed, termen obliquely rounded; fuscous; an obscure whitish transverse line at -J, with a strong posterior tooth beneath costa and another above dorsum ; a similar line from f costa to f dorsum, at first outwardly oblique, soon bent to become transverse, below middle inwardly curved, with a posterior tooth above dorsum ; traces of a pale subterminal line ; a median fuscous discal dot above middle, cilia fuscous. Hindwings over 1, apex and termen strongly rounded ; orange ; suffused with fuscous at apex, along dorsum, and on terminal edge ; cilia fuscous. North Queensland : Cape York, in June ; one specimen received from M Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. '] Subfam. ophiderinae. J Alophosoma pallidula n. sp. I pallidulus, rather pale — J .39-40 mm. Head and palpi whitish-brown. Ahtenn^e grey, 1 minutely ciliated with longer bristles (1). Thorax brown-whitish, 1 anteriorly brown. Abdomen whitish-ochreous. Legs whitish-ochreous ; "1 anterior tibiae sprinkled and barred with fuscous ; tarsi with fuscous. 1 rings. Porewings elongate-triangular, costa slightly arched, apex I rounded-rectangular, termen slightly rounded, slightly oblique, crenulate ; whitish or brown-whitish, with antemedian and terminal areas suffused with brown; fine transverse dark fuscous lines; a double irregularly dentate sub-basal line ; a double antemedian line from | costa to ^ dorsum, : with a slight posterior tooth beneath costa and another stronger above dorsum; postmedian from f costa, first outwardly oblique, then trans- verse and inwardly curved, above dorsum bent inwards in a double loop touching lower end of reniform, thence outwardly oblique and dentate to dorsum ; a fine dentate whitish line in brown terminal area ; a crenulate terminal line ; reniform bilobed, lower lobe larger, grey, narrowly edged with fuscous; cilia whitish, with slender fuscous bars, bases partly brownish. Hindwings wtih termen rounded ; crenulate ; 1 whitish-ochreous ; a broad fuscous terminal band narrowing to a point on tornus ; cilia ochreous-whitish. $ -38 mm. Porewings whiter; antemedian brown area smaller,, sharply defined, limited to a triangular area, with a rounded apex reach- ing from costa to slightly below middle ; subterminal white line, preceded by several dark fuscous dots; terminal brown suffusion absent. The sexes differ markedly. The male differs little from A. syngenes- Turn., which has similar sexes, except in colour ; but there is a difference in the terminal palpal joint being longer {pallidula male f, female f, syngenes both sexes J). North Queensland: Cape York, in June; four specimens received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. NEW AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA. 41 Prorocopis orthogramma n. sp. opdaypappog, with straight markings — ^ -32-33 mm. Head and thorax fuscous. Palpi 2|; whitish^, sprinkled with fuscous. Antennae grey. Abdomen whitish-ochreous dorsum grey-suffused; basal crest fuscous. Legs fuscous, mixed with whitish; posterior pair mostly whitish. Forewings suboblong, costa slightly arched, apex rectangular, termen not oblique, rounded beneath ; grey, with blackish markings ; a sub-basal transverse line cut by a short longitudinal streak from base of costa ; an almost straight line from J costa to -J dorsum ; a very short transverse streak from mid-costa ;, postmedian line from | costa, transverse and nearly straight to below middle, thence looped backwards and upwards to unite with lower edge of reniform, thence looped downwards and ending on f dorsum ; reniforni slenderly outlined, large and deeply indented posteriorly so as to form two lobes, some white irroration on its posterior edge ; an oblique streak from apex, continued as a subterminal line to tornus, with an obtuse posterior projection below middle ; a crenulate terminal line posteriorly filled in partly with white ; cilia grey, sprinkled with white. Hind- wings broad, termen rounded ; ochreous-whitish ; a moderate suffused terminal band ; cilia ochreous-whitish, with a grey sub-basal line. Very similar to P. peratoscia Hmps., but differs in detail. The antemedian line is not dentate, the reniform more deeply indented, the hindwings much whiter. New South Wales: Scone, in January; two specimens received from Mr. H. Nicholas. Stenoprora eurycycla n. sp. evpvKVKXog , with broad circles— $ -30 mm. Head and thorax grey, sprinkled with fuscous. Palpi 2 ; grey, sprinkled with fuscous. Antennae grey. Abdomen pale grey. Legs fuscous sprinkled, and tarsi ringed, with whitish ; posterior pair mostly whitish. Forewings suboblong, costa strongly arched, apex rectangular, termen obliquely rounded ; fuscous sprinkled with whitish,, appearing grey ; markings fuscous ; a short subcostal streak at base ; a line from ^ costa obliquely outwards, slightly toothed beneath costa,, more strongly below middle, indented above dorsum, on which it ends on I ; reniform narrow, crescentic, outlined in fuscous ; a line from f costa above reniform, outwardly oblique, soon angled, transverse, and con- cave to below: middle, then looped backwards to touch lower end of reniform, again looped and ending on dorsum before tornus ; one or two short longitudinal streaks from and beneath apex ; a crenulate terminal line ; cilia grey. Hindwings with termen rounded ; white wdth a broad fuscous terminal band narrowing to a point at tornus ; cilia white, ou apex fuscous. Queensland: Charleville and Quilpie, in August; two specimens. Pandesma quenavadi Gn. Noct. ii., p. 438, Hmps. Moths Ind. ii., p. 466. Moore, Lep., Ceyl., iii., PL 156, f.l. North Queensland: Cairns, Palm Is. Also from Ceylon and India. 42 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. Gen. Epigrypodes nov. ^TnypvTTcohrjs , somewhat hooked— Tongue strong. Face smooth, not projecting. Palpi ascending, closely appressed to face, not reaching vertex ; second joint long, thick- | ened with appressed scales ; terminal joint very short, obtuse. Antennae f about f length of forewings; in male with a double row of tufts of moderately long cilia (2), apical | simple. Thorax and abdomen smooth without crests. Legs clothed with long dense hairs; midtibiae of male, with a large basal expansile tuft of long ochreous hairs. Forewings with neuration normal. Hindwings with cell about f ; 5 from slightly above •angle. Ill shape of wings similar to Amphigonia Gn., but that genus has much longer palpi and antennae, I Epigrypodes amplipennis n. sp. am^plipennis, large-winged — -50 mm. Head and face pale brown. Palpi brown; inner surface ochreous- whitish. Antennae grey. Abdomen brown. Legs I ochreous-whitish ; anterior coxae pale brown. Forewings elongate-tri- | angular, costa straight, apex pointed, somewhat produced, termen angled | on vein 4 ; pale reddish-brown ; a fine fuscous sub-basal line angled out- || wards ; a similar line at obsolete towards costa, beneath angle edged A with whitish ; a white median subcostal dot ; an obscure fuscous line from | midcosta obliquely outwards, bent beneath costa, thence dentate to mid- dorsum ; a short white streak on costa at f ; a pale transverse line from f costa beyond this, curved inwards below middle, then angled and again transverse to dorsum before tornus ; disc beyond this grey ; cilia grey, with a whitish dot beneath apical hook. Hindwings with termen pro- ^ dueed and acute on vein 3, straight above this, excavated beneath ; basal ^ half pale reddish-brown ; terminal area grey ; a discal dot before middle f and a finely dentate line at f fuscous ; a whitish subterminal line strongly ■ angled on vein 3, preceded by fuscous dots on veins ; cilia above angle fuscous-brown, beneath white, with fuscous apices, on dorsum wholly white. North Queensland : Cape York, one specimen received from Mr. Geo. j Lyell. Type in National Museum, Melbourne. Anomds steremochla n. sp. arepeopLOxXos, straight barred — -36 mm. Head and thorax pale ochreous. Palpi reaching vertex, terminal joint J ; brown. Antennae pale ochreous ; in male minutely ciliated with short bristles (|). Abdomen ochreous-whitish; tuft pale ochreous. Legs brown-whitish ; anterior pair bro^vn, with white tarsal rings. Forewings triangular, costa straight, apex rectangular, termen strongly angled on vein 4; pale ochreous, with a few scattered fuscous scales ; a minute median subcostal fuscus dot ; a straight fuscous line from beneath costa near apex f dorsum, closely followed by a parallel line ; a small irregular white subapical spot edged with fuscous ; cilia fuscous. Hindwings angled, with an acute tooth on vein 4 ; as fore wings, but without discal dot and subapical spot; a double post- median line from beneath f costa almost to tornus. North Australia ; Darwin, in November ; one specimen received from Mr. P. P. Dodd. NEW AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA. 4S Gen. Niphosticta nov. yi^ocrriKTog , snow-spotted — Tongue well developed. Palpi moderately stout, smooth ascending,, about reaching vertex ; second joint thickened with appressed scales terminal joint moderate, obtuse. Antennge in male minutely ciliated with short paired bristles. Thorax not crested. Abdomen with small dorsal crests on first two segments. Forewings normal. Hindwings. with 5 from well above lower angle of cell ( ^ ) . In the neighbourhood of Anticarsia and Mecodina, but with dif- ferent origin of 5 of hindwings as well as abdominal crests. Niphosticta^ apicipuncta n. sp. apicipunctus, with apical spot — -32 mm. Plead and thorax fuscous. Palpi reaching vertex,, terminal joint ^ ; whitish, densely sprinkled with fuscous. Antennee fuscous; in male with extremely minute ciliations and short bristles (|). Abdomen grey ; crests fuscous. Legs whitish, sprinkled with fuscous anterior tarsi dark fuscous, with white rings. Porewings triangular, costa gently arched, apex rectangular, termen slightly rounded, scarcely oblique ; fuscous with scattered white dots, one at base, 5 or 6 on costa, a larger spot at apex; reniform 8-shaped, white, upper lobe with fuscous centre, intermediate neck ochreous; an extremely fine dentate postmedian line, outwardly curved from f costa to f dorsum,, with white dots on apices of dentations; a terminal series of blackish dots, each preceded by a white dot ; cilia fuscous, apices white. Hind- wings with termen rounded ; fuscous ; cilia fuscous. Queensland: Yeppoon, in March; one specimen received from Mr.. E. J. Dumigan. Gen. Bertula Wlk. Cat. Brit. Mus. xvi., p. 162 Hmps. Moths Ind. iii., p. 44 — Type B. adjiidicalis Wlk. from India. The following characters are drawn from the two Australian species : — The first of these has been usually referred to Pseudaglossa Grote, but from the characters given by Hampson it seems to be undoubtedly a Bertula. That genus is placed by Hampson as a section of Bleptina Gn. ; whether this is advis- able, I cannot say. Tongue strong. Pace not projecting. Palpi long, ascending, recurved, in male very long and curved backwards over thorax ; second joint thickened with appressed scales, in male curved over head, in female scarcely reaching vertex; terminal joint long, acute, in male, with a very long expansile tuft of pale ochreous hairs. Antennge of male moderately ciliated, sometimes with longer bristles. Porewings with areole narrow ; 7, stalk of 8, 9, and 10 closely approximated, 10 sometimes stalked with 8, 9. Hindwings with cell | ; 5 arising from shortly above angle. Bertula sordescens Rosen. Queensland: Brisbane; Stanthorpe. New South Wales: Sydney. Victoria: Gisborne; Dunkeld. 44 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. Bertula nyctiphanta n. sp. vvKTixj)avro£, appearing by night— -38-42 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax dark fuscous. Antennae fuscous; in male with moderate ciliations (IJ) and longer paired bristles (3). Abdomen and legs fuscous. Forewings triangular, costa slightly arched, apex rounded-rectangular, termen rounded, not oblique ; fuscous ; markings blackish, partly edged, with ochreous-whitish ; a sub- basal line ; a slender irregularly dentate line at ; a strongly-marked acutely dentate line from ^ costa to mid-dorsum ; a slender sinuate wavy line from f costa to f dorsum ; a strongly-marked irregularly dentate subterminal line ; cilia fuscous. Hindwings with termen strongly rounded ; fuscous suffused with whitish towards base ; cilia whitish, with fuscous bars. New South Wales: Scone, in January, February, and March; six specimens received from Mr. H. Nicholas. Prionopterina modesta n. sp. modestus, unassuming — (^9 -23-25 mm. Head and thorax grey. Palpi 4, obliquely ascending; second joint long, smooth, with a strong posterior tuft of scales on apical ^ ; terminal joint short, obtuse ; grey. Antennae pale grey; in male moderately ciliated (1), with long paired bristles (5). Abdomen pale grey. Legs grey; posterior pair grey-whitish. Fore- wings elongate-oval, costa moderately arched, apex rounded, termen very obliquely rounded ; whitish, with more or less grey suffusion, sometimes reddish-tinged ; three outwardly curved, slender, wavy, grey lines more or less distinct; first from J costa to dorsum, second from costa to mid-dorsum, third from f costa to f dorsum; two dark fuscous discal dots, sometimes white-centred, at f and f ; a submarginal series of dark fuscous dots before termen ; cilia grey, sometimes reddish-tinged. Hind- wings with termen bisinuate ; pale grey ; cilia whitish, bases sometimes reddish-tinged. North Queensland : Banks Island, in May ; Cape York, in November ; seven specimens received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. Subfam. hypeninae. Gen. Saroljela nov. aapo^eXosy with brush-like palpi — Tongue strongly developed. Palpi in male very long, ascending, densely thickened with appressed scales, with a posterior pencil of long hairs from base ; second joint exceeding vertex, rough-haired on anterior edge ; terminal joint with long rough hairs anteriorly ; in female porrect, but terminal joint obliquely ascending ; second joint without basal pencil ; terminal without long anterior hairs. Antennas in male shortly ciliated, with longer paired bristles. Thorax with anterior and posterior crests. Abdomen with dorsal crests on first two segments. Forewings with a small areole, 7 connate with 8, 9. Hindwings with 5 from well above lower angle of cell (J). i/Sarohela spectabilis n. sp. spectabilis, handsome — (^9 *34-36 mm. Head brownish-grey. Palpi brownish-grey ; anterior margin and apex whitish-brown. Antennas grey ; ciliations in male J, bristles 1. Thorax pale brown, darker anteriorly. Abdomen grey. NEW AUSTRALIAN liEPIDOPTERA. 45 Legs fuscous; posterior pair oehreous-grey. Forewings elongate- triangular, costa straight almost to apex, apex pointed, termen rounded, slightly oblique, wavy ; dark fuscous-brown ; basal, dorsal, and terminal areas whitish, sprinkled with fuscous-brown ; dark area defined anteriorly by a slender oblique white line from costa near base to above mid- dorsum, there angled towards apex; reniform very large, extending from near midcosta to dorsal pale area, except where continuous with this edged by an irregular white line ; a fuscous crenulate terminal line ; cilia whitish-grey. Hindwings ample, termen rounded, wavy; fuscous; cilia as forewings. North Queensland: Cape York, in November, April, and June; four specimens received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. Hypertrocta pallida n. sp. palUdm, pale — ^ *18 mm. Head whitish. Palpi 3J, terminal joint | ; pale brown. Antennae whitish; ciliations in male 4. Thorax and abdomen brown- whitish. Legs whitish, sparsely sprinkled with fuscous; anterior pair fuscous. Forewings triangular, costa straight, apex acute, termen angled and strongly toothed on vein 4; whitish-brown, with a few fuscous scales ; a slender brown transverse line at ^ ; a brown spot on midcosta, from which a similar line proceeds to f dorsum; a larger brown costal triangle between this and apex, edged jDosteriorly by a whitish line, which proceeds to tornus, being strongly toothed outwards opposite terminal angle ; a slender whitish terminal line edged anteriorly by an interrupted fuscous line; cilia vhitish-brown. Hind- wings subquadrate, sharply angled on vein 4 ; 3 and 4 connate ; whitish- brown ; a slender brown transverse line at J ; an indistinct, irregularly dentate whitish line at f ; terminal lines and cilia as forewings. In H. variahilis Swin. the terminal joint of palpi is much longer (I), and 3 and 4 of hindwings are stalked, Queensland: Yeppoon, in October; one specimen received from Mr. E. J. Dumigan. Naiarda coelopis n. sp. KoiXojTTLSy hollowed — ^ -22-26 mm. Head, thorax, and abdomen fuscous. Palpi 3^,. laterally compressed, the dense hairs appearing grooved above and below central stem ; fuscous. Antennas not laminate, a small dorsal hair- tuft beyond middle, cilia 1, bristles ; fuscous. Legs fuscous ; anferior femora and tibias. heavily clothed with dense hair. Forewings elongate- triangular, costa slightly concave to beyond middle, thence sinuate, apex round-pointed, termen slightly rounded, oblique ; fuscous ; obscurely darker wavy transverse lines at 4 and f ; a pale orange dot close below J costa ; two spots of the same colour, each with a central fuscous dot, form- ing a figure 8 beyond middle ; a terminal series of dots ; cilia fuscous. Hindwings with termen rounded : fuscous ; markings as forewnngs, but without spots. Very similar in markings to A. xanthoneplira Turn., though they are less distinct, but very different in shape of forewings and in structure of palpi, antennse, and forelegs, at least in male. North Queensland: Cape York, in October, November, and May; Kuranda, in March and June ; seven specimens. 4b PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. Fam. Lymantriadae. Lymantria diver sa n. sp. diversus, different^ — -58 mm. Head and thorax brown. Palpi IJ; brown. i\ntenmo whitish-grey ; pectinations 16, fuscous. Abdomen reddish. Legs ochreous-fuscous ; anterior coxae, anterior, and posterior femora red. Porewings triangular, costa straight to thence arched, apex rounded,, termen straight, moderately oblique ; pale ochreous-grey ; markings pale fuscous ; a sub-basal line not reaching dorsum ; an angulated line of dots slightly beyond ; a suffused transverse line at ^ ; suffused slightly dentate lines at f and a darker series of spots forming a subterminal line; a dark fuscous subcostal dot at f , followed by a medium lunule with con- cavity forwards just preceding fourth line ; cilia whitish, with dark fuscous bars. Hindwings with termen strongly rounded ; ochreous- whitish suffused with grey towards termen ; cilia ochreous-whitish. $ -85 mm. Head and thorax white. Palpi -J; fuscous, whitish beneath towards base. Antenngg fuscous; pectinations 2. Abdomen whitish-ochreous, sometimes reddish-tinged towards base. Legs fuscous ; middle tibiaB whitish; (posterior pair missing). Porewings elongate- triangular, costa strongly arched, apex rounded-rectangular, termen straight, strongly oblique ; white, with fuscous markings ; a very slender sub-basal transverse line, angled in middle; a broad outwardly oblique line from J costa, bent above mid-disc, thence narrow and interrupted to anal vein at from which a bar proceeds to dorsum ; two dots in median area precede/ this line ; a broad line from f costa, gradually becoming broader to mid-dorsum, nearly straight, its anterior edge crenulate ; a slightly wavy straight subterminal line ; a narrow post- median spot outlined by fuscous resting on anterior edge of postmedian line ; a fine interrupted terminal line ; cilia white, with broad fuscous bars. Hindwings with termen rounded ; white ; towards base sometimes^ with pale red hairs on veins ; terminal edge and cilia as forewings. North Queensland; Cape York; Cairns; Ingham. My material con- sists of one of each sex from Ingham (E. J. Dumigan), a female from Cairns (Miss Dodd), and another female from Cape York (W. B.. Barnard). The only male example is my type. Fam. Anthelidae. Anthela euryphrica n. sp. €vpvcf)pLKog, broadly rippled — -38-46 mm. Head and palpi brown. Antennas white ; pectina- tions fuscous, in male 12, in female 1|. Thorax and abdomen ochreous- fuscous ; pectus ochreous. Legs ochreous ; tarsi fuscous, with white rings. Porewings triangular, costa straight, apex rectangular, termen rounded, not oblique ; dark fuscous, with pale ochreous transverse rippled lines, more whitish in female ; sub-basal from J costa to ^ dorsum, curved, dentate ; median very slender, finely crenulate ; postmedian from f costa to before tornus, broad, slightly curved, its inner surface crenulate ; a crenulate terminal line, sometimes very fine and submar- ginal ; snow-white subcostal discal spots at J and middle ; cilia pale ochreous. Hindwings with termen rounded ; colour as forewings ; with- out sub-basal line and discal spots; a fine and nearly straight median line; postmedian approximated, rather broader, straight. Underside' similar, but with snow-white median spots at i and middle. NEW AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA. 47 Closely allied to A. denticulata, with which it agrees in pattern of fore wings, but differs in its ochreous colour and especially in the hind- wings. New South Wales: Scone. A large number of larvse feeding on Barley Grass (Bromus arenaria) were collected in August by Mr. H. T. Nicholas. He describes them as very hairy, brown with blue or reddish spots or markings, head tan colour, with cream markings. They pupated in cocoons about one inch beneath the surface. Twenty-three moths emerged in April and May. A large number of larva; were killed by dipterous parasites. Anthela callileuca Turn. I have received from Mr. W. B. Barnard tree examples taken at Jandowae, near Dalby, Queensland, in which a broad straight fuscous line, dentate on its posterior edge, runs from costa before apex to dorsum before tornus in forewings, with a similar but finer and interrupted line on hindwings. This conspicuous form is only a variety or possibly a local race. Traces of a similar line may be detected in the typical form. Fam. LxiSiocAMPiDAE. Crexa macqueeni n. sp. -28-30 mm. $ -40-41 mm. Head whitish, with central fuscous spot. Palpi whitish, external surface partly fuscous. Antennse fuscous; pectinations in male 12, in female 2. Thorax fuscous, mixed with whitish hairs. Abdomen reddish-brown ; tuft in male fuscous ; in female tuft and spots on apices of segments white. Legs fuscous mixed, and tarsi ringed, with white. Porewings elongate-triangular, costa straight to near apex, apex rounded, termen longer than dorsum, gently rounded, oblique ; dark-grey ; in male fuscous-brown towards base ; veins near base reddish-brown ; a sub-basal whitish line, more distinct in female ; a reddish-brown median subcostal discal spot, edged anteriorly and posteriorly by a fuscous dot ; beyond this a whitish suffusion more marked in female ; a short white externally oblique streak from f costa, giving rise to a finely dentate line to dorsum before tornus ; a sub- terminal series of fuscous spots edged with whitish ; cilia grey. Hind- wings with termen rounded ; in male reddish-brown, suffused with fuscous towards costa ; in female grey with a whitish median trans- verse line ; cilia white. The forewings are similar in both sexes, but not the hindwings. The male is similar in colour to C. maoroptila Turn., but unlike that species the hindwings are of normal shape. I dedicate this interesting species to Mr. J. Macqueen, who has made many interesting discoveries in the fauna of his locality. Queensland : Milmerran, in December, January, and March ; four specimens bred by Mr. J. Macqueen. Gen. Eremmiepsia nov. ipyj^xaveiffLog, a desert cousin — Eyes smooth, large, rounded. Palpi moderate, porrect, reaching slightly beyond froms. Forewings with 2 from J, 3 from before angle, 4 and 5 connate from angle, 6 from upper angle, connate with 8, 9, which are stalked, 11 from f. Hindwings with cell J, 2 from middle, 48 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. 3 from angle, connate with 4, 5, which are stalked, 6 from upper angle,. 7 from shortly before angle, no) subcostal cell, 12 anastomosing to middle of cell, a forked pseudoneurium from its base. Allied to Eremonoma. Eremanepsia agrapia n. sp. ayparrrosy unmarked— ^ -20 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax dull reddish. Antennae reddish - pectinations in male 4. Abdomen pale reddish ; beneath whitish- grey. Posterior legs whitish-grey. Forewings triangular, costa straight, apex obtusely pointed, termen slightly rounded, moderately oblique dull reddish ; cilia dull reddish. Hindwings with termen rounded ; pale reddish ; cilia pale reddish. Central Australia: Tennant’s Creek (Spencer-Gillies Expedition);, one specimen. Type in Coll, Lyell. Digglesia diampJiidia n. sp. SiajjLcjyLhLOs, different— -42 mm. Head whitish-ochreous ; face fuscous. Palpi moderately long (2J) , exceeding frontal tuft, densely clothed with long hairs; reddish-fuscous. Antennae short ; fuscous ; in male bent beyond middle, pectinations 6 at base, gradually shortening to apex. Thorax reddish-fuscous ; a submarginal transverse anterior line and median area whitish-ochreous. Abdomen fuscous-reddish; apices of segments, beneath whitish-ochreous. Legs fuscous-reddish; tarsi fuscous with whitish-ochreous rings. Forewings narrow towards base, dilated pos- teriorly, costa sinuate, apex round-pointed, termen rounded, oblique ; whitish, with fuscous markings ; fine reddish streaks on all veins, becom- ing broader shortly before termen ; a dentate line inwardly oblique from ^ costa, angled outwards above dorsum, ending on J ; a similar line from f costa to mid-dorsum ; a well-marked but irregularly bent subterminal line ; a broad terminal line interrupted by streaks on veins ; some fuscous suffusion containing a whitish median dot between first and second lines ; cilia fuscous. Hindwings with termen strongly rounded ; fuscous-red- dish ; cilia fuscous. Very distinct; but the pattern of the forewings shows some resem- blance to D. ecnoma Turn., from West Australia. The palpi are short for this genus. Queensland : Bunya Mountains, in November ; one specimen received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has the type. Fam. Limacodidae. Parasa symphonistis n. sp. crvfjLcjxxJVLarLSy harmonious — ^ *30-32 mm. Head and palpi brown. Antennae whitish-ochreous ; pectinations in male 6, ceasing rather abruptly at Thorax fuscous- brown with white-tipped hairs. Abdomen grey-brown or fuscous- brown. Legs brown ; tarsi whitish-ochreous with fuscous-brown rings.- Forewings triangular, costa straight, apex rounded, termen rounded slightly oblique ; pale purple-grey, disc sometimes fuscous-reddish except towards base and termen ; a strong fuscous streak from | dorsum, extern- NEW AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA. 4.9 ally oblique, sometimes short, sometimes dentate or broken and extend- ing to near i costa ; a rounded dark line from | costa to tornus, some- times lost in central dark suffusion; preceded by a variable median cluster of three fuscous dots ; an interrupted crenulate grey subterminal line; cilia grey. Hindwings with termen rounded; pale reddish; cilia grey. Queensland : Milmerran, in November, December, and January; three specimens received from Mr. J. Macqueen. ISusica fasciata. Wlk. Through the kindness of Mr. E. J. Dumigan, I have received two remarkably fine specimens of this species of a form with brown- whitish thorax and dorsal blotches on hindwings. They emerged from subterranean cocoons obtained by the pupils of Mr. Bartlett on Mount Tambourine, while digging under a '‘Wheel of Fire” tree (Stenocarpus: simmtus. Proteaceae). Fam. CossiD^. Xyleuies eremonoma Turn. Trans. Roy. Soc. S.A. 1906, p. 139. Xyleutes amphiplecta Turn. Trans. Roy. Soc. S.A. 1932, p. 195. I have received examples of both these species from Mr. A. P. Dodd, bred from larv^ feeding in the stems of Bassia quiquecuspis in Goondi- windi. The females of both species are remarkable in their very elongate swollen abdomens and abbreviated, though perfectly formed, wings. They can hardly be capable of flight. Xyleutes spilota n. sp. crTTiAoTOs*, spotted — $ -25 mm. Head white. Palpi fuscous; apices white. Antenna? white, sprinkled with fuscous. Thorax white ; two longitudinal lines and some irroration blackish. Abdomen white, sprinkled with fuscous; apices of segments fuscous. Legs dark fuscous. Forewings rather narrow, costa nearly straight, apex rounded, termen obliquely rounded ; white ; numerous short strigul^p and some larger spots dark fuscous, with steel-blue reflections ; strigulie most numerous in dorsal area ; an elongate oblong subcostal spot at J ; three partly confluent costal and subcostal spots at I; veins marked by fine ochreous lines; a dark fuscous terminal line ; cilia white with dark fuscous bars. Hindwings with costa sinuate, apex round-pointed, termen nearly straight; whitish with fuscous strigulse, which are confluent over central area, cilia as forewings. New South Wales: Brewarrina; one specimen received from Mr. W. W. Froggatt. Xyleutes riparia n. sp. riparius, frequenting river-banks — *64-70 mm. $ 82 mm. Head fuscous; face mostly or wholly ochreous-brown. Palpi blackish ; lower surface except at apex whitish- ochreous. Antennae fuscous ; dorsal surface of shaft whitish ; in male bipectinate to about middle, thence serrate, pectinations 5. Thorax grey-whitish; a strongly curved submarginal anterior fuscous line; 50 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. three pairs of fuscous dots, with a fourth pair on tegulie. Abdomen blackish, bases of segments whitish, apices ochreous ; first tw^o segments grey- whitish ; tuft fuscous. Legs fuscous ; tibiae white-ringed. Fore- wings elongate, suboblong, in female broader, costa slightly arched, apex round-pointed, termeii slightly rounded, slightly oblique ; whitish with numerous coarse blackish strigulm, leaving two oblique white fasciag ; first from beyond midcosta to before mid-dorsum, where it turns inwards to base of wing ; second from f costa to dorsum before tornus ; in female these fascia are reduced to large spots or blotches; costa coarsely strigulated with blackish ; terminal area blackish except for streaks on veins and an irregular line before termen; cilia whitish. Hindwings with termen sinuate ; dark fuscous, in female with coarse pale strigulas ; a series of whitish spots close to termen. Queensland: Stanthorpe, in November and January; three speci- mens received from Mr. W. B. Barnard, who has bred a series. Mr. Barnard found the larvae boring the lower part of the stems of Lepio- spermum ahnonne, which frequents the banks of rivers and creeks, tunnelling always upwards for a distance of seven inches or more. Before pupating each larva perforates the inner bark, leaving the outer bark intact, so that the place of future emergence may sometimes be detected by running the fingers over the surface and pressing on it. The presence of the larvae is often betrayed by the ejecta beneath the stem attacked. They are not injured by the submergence of the stems in flood waters. They pupate in the spring and emerge from November to January. Those of various ages are found in the same tree, and after their feeding habits had been ascertained were found to be not uncommon. CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND FLORA, NO. 5. 51 VoL. XLVII., No. 5. Contribution to the Queensland Flora, No. 5, By C. T. White, Government Botanist. {Bead befo7^e the Royal Society of Queensland^ 2Qth August, 1935.) Since the publication of the previous contribution (these Proceed- ings, Vol. XLI., pp. 139-143, 1929) some important collections of Queens- land plants have come into my hands for determination. Outstanding among these is the collection made by Mr. L. J. Brass in North Queens- land in the early months of 1932. By an arrangement with the Arnold. Arboretum of Harvard University, U.S.A., Mr. Brass spent between three and four months in North Queensland before leaving on an exten- sive collecting and photographing trip to the Solomon Islands. Among the material collected and here described is an apparently undescribed genus of Hernandiaceae, and members of the genera Coronanthera {Gesneracece) New Caledonia — and Dimorphocalyx {Euphorbiacem) — Malaya — previously unrecorded as Australian. A particularly interesting find was Ostrearia {Hamamelidac&ae) , of which flowers were previously unknown. My best thanks are due to members of my staff and botanists in the other States and abroad for much help received, which has enabled me to present the present paper. Due acknowledge- ment has been made under the different plants concerned. Order Dilleniaceae. Hibbertia sericea (R. Br.) Benth. PL Austr. I. 26, 1863. Mount Barney, S.B. Queensland, alt. 4,000 ft., in rocky crevices, rare. C. T. White (flowering specimens) 7852, 27/8/1931. (shrub or sub- shrub, abt. 1 ft. high, stems procumbent or with ascending branches ; fls. yellow.) Mount Ernest, S.E. Queensland, alt. 2,000-3,000 ft., in rocky crevices, very common. C. T. White, No. 8591 (flowering specimens), 10/10/1932. (shrub or subshrub of rather dense growth, flowers yellow.) Mt. Lindesay, alt. over 3,000 ft. Rev. N. Michael, No. 2223, 14/7/1935. Not previously recorded for Queensland. Hibbertia stirlingii sp. nov. Pruiticulus parvus, virgatus ; ramulis foliisque plus vel minus dense stellato-pubescentibus (f. stelligera) vel squamulosis (f. squamulosa). Folia linearia apice obtusa vel minute apiculata, basem versus leviter angustata, 1*5-2 cm. longa, margine valde recurva; costa media supra excavata subtus valde elevata. Pedunculi 5-8 mm. longi (f. stelligera) vel ad 2 cm. longi (f. squamulosa) dense stellato-tomentosi ; bracteis ovatis 2 mm. longis. Sepala subrotunda, extus densissime lepidota intus glabra, margine ciliata, 2 exteriora, 2*5 mm. longa, 3 interiora 5 mm. longa. Petala obovata 6 mm. longa. Stamina numerosa 2 mm. longa. Carpella 2 lepidota, 2-ovulata; stylis glabris 3 mm. longis. .52 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. (a) f. stelligera: Ravenshoe, alt. 3,000 ft., on Eucalyptus forest slopes. L. J. Brass, No. 1888 (flowering specimens) ; Jan. 1 (small shrub). Range road. Miss Wheatley, No. 117 (flowering specimens) ; August 8, 1934. (&) f. squamulosa. Herberton, J. Stirling {type of the species) ; (flowering specimens), July, 1904. Stannary Hills, Dr. T. L. Bancroft (flowering specimens), June, 1908. The two collections of the forma squamulosa were found in the Queensland Herbarium in the K. lepidota R. Br. folder, but I think the closest affinities of the new species lie with H. scabra R. Br., which differs in having longer leaves, longer pedicels, acute, not obtuse, sepals, tomentose, not lepidote, on the outside, and tomentose, not lepidote, carpels. It is intermediate in many ways between the two species. H. lepi- dota R. Br. is distinguished by its very dense, not scattered, clothing of scales on stems and leaves, the leaves being flat or concave with the margins not at all recurved, the peduncles rather shorter, and the sepals subacute. It was recorded for Northcote (leg. R. C. Burton) by the late M. Bailey. I have not seen these specimens, but Mr. Brass has collected it in two localities in North Queenslatid, e.g., Settlement Creek, near Gulf of Carpentaria, No. 297 (flowering specimens), Feb., 1923 (shrub 3-5 ft.) ; and Newcastle Range, between Einasleigh and Forsayth, No. 1762 (flowering specimens), Feb., 1928 (small shrub on sandstone ) . H. scabra R. Br. I have not yet seen from a definite Queensland locality. Order Guttiferae. Garcinia brassii sp. nov. Arbor parva ; raniulis robustis, juvenilibus quadraiigulatis, inter- nodiis 1-1-5 cm. longis; stipulis crasse coriaceis, ovatis, intus concavis 2 mm. longis. Folia petiolata subcarnosa (Brass) in sicco rigide coriacea, obovata, margine recurva, apice obtusa vel emarginata, basi cuneata ; petiolo 0-5-1 cm. longo ; lamina 3-8 cm. longa, 1-5-4 cm. lata ; costa media notata, supra depressa, subtus elevata ; nervis lateralibus valde elevatis, subparallelis, utrinque 14-18, prope marginem newo marginali conjunctis. Inflorescentia terminalis. Flores ignoti ; sepalis (sub-fructu) rotundatis, 5 mm. diam. Fructus depresso-globosus, pallido-virens, ca. 5 cm. diam., 4 cm. altus, stigmate granuloso 4-lobato coronatus; seminibus irregulariter ellipsoideis vel globosis, in sectione transverse irregulariter triangularibus, dorso convexis, lateribus applanatis. Thornton Peak, in low scrub at the summit, L. J. Brass, No. 2277 (fruits) March 14; (small tree of various habit, but commonly with thick, erect, dark trunk, about 7-8 ft. high, ending abruptly in a dense flat crown of small erect branches ; sap yellow ; leaves thick and rather fleshy, the margins recurved ; petioles reddish ; fruit terminal, depressed- globose, pale green, acidulous). This makes the fifth species of Garcinia to be found in North- eastern Australia. Among previously described Australian species it most resembles G. Warrenii F. v. Muell., which is distinguished by larger leaves, with a more pointed apex, and smaller, not depressed, fruits. CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND FLORA, NO. 5. 58 Order Pittosporaceae. Pittosoporum O’ Reilly amim sp. nov. Prutex vel arbor parva gracillima ; ramulis spinis numerosis arm- atis, junioribiis hirsntis, intermediis leviter mnricatis, adiiltis glabris cortice albo obtectis. Folia juniora subtus pilis longis paiicis obsita^ adnltis glabra, ovato-lanceolata 0-5-2 cm. longa, 2-5 mm. lata ; venis suboscuris ; petiolis 0-5-1-5 mm. longis. Flores singnlares axillares vel terminales, pedicello pubescent! 1-5-2 mm. longo. Calyx vix 2 mm. longus, alte 5-lobatus. Corallae tubus 6 mm. longus ; lobis late linearibus,. 3 mm. longis. Anthera breviter exserta ; tilamentis liguliformibus. Ovarium hirsutum. Capsula 7-8 mm. diam. ; seminibus paucis magnis. rubris ; angularibus dorso convexis. Mount Hob wee, Lamington National Park, near New South Wales- Queensland border, alt. 4,000 ft., common in rain-forest. C. T. White, 6173 (type; flowering specimens). Sept. 1, 1929; (small tree, with a very slender stem, usually weighted with a dense growth of mosses and liverworts). Roberts Plateau, Lamington National Park, alt. 3,500- 4,000 ft.; (fruiting specimens); Mrs. Frieda Cobb Blanchard, May, 1928; C. T. White, No. 6064, Feb., 1929; T. O’Reilly, May, 1929. Very dissimilar to previously described Australian species, and more closely resembling some of the very small-leaved New Zealand species. Named in honour of my friend, Mr. Thos. O’Reilly, who, while resident in the park, freely gave to visiting naturalists all possible help and guidance in the pursuit of their studies. Order Caryophyllaceae. '^Sagina apetala Linn. Mant II., 559. Toowoomba, H. A. Longman. Bet. Ballandean and Wallangarra, C. T. White, 9330, 13/10/33. The Toowoomba specimens were referred by F. M. Bailey {Queens- land Agricultural Journal, XXV. (1910), 234) to S. prociimbens L. Order Portulacaceae. Portulaca digyna F. v. M. Fragm. Phytogr. Austr. 1, 171 (1859). Glenhallam, near Boulia, S. H. Teece, March, 1934. As far as I can ascertain, these are actually the first specimeiif? of this Portulaca collected in Queensland. F. M. Bailey (Queensland Flora, 1, 94) recorded it from ^‘Northern interior and Stanthorpo. ’’ There were no specimens from Western Queensland in the Queensland Her- barium, and the Stanthorpe specimens, though fragmentary, I have little hesitation in referring to the very widely-spread P. bicolor F. v. M, Order Malvaceae. Sida Dallachyi sp. nov. Suffrutex vel herba perennis basi tandem, lignescens ; partibus omni- bus dense et molliter stellato-pubesceiitibus. Caules erect! ; ramis paucis strictis. Folia petiolata, anguste ovato-lanceolata, basi in foliis latioribus subcordata, in foliis angustioribus subacuta, apice subacuta, margine serrata, supra pallido-viridi, subtus pallidiore (‘‘argenteo-grisea” — Brass) ; nervis praeeipuis supra leviter impressis, subtus elevatis ; petiole 54 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. 0-5-2 cm. longo, lamina 3-11 cm. longa, 0-5-4 cm. lata; stipulis siibulatis 4 mm. longis. Pedunculus tenuis, uniflorus 1-5-3 cm. longus, supra medium articulatus. Calyx ca. 8 cm. diam., turbinato — campanulatus, pentagonus valde 10-costatus, in dimidio superiore in dentos acutes tri- angulares divisus. Petala flava, ca. 1 cm. longa. Carpella matura calyce fere duplo breviora, mutica, ca. 7, lateribus et dorsi, transverse rugosa, bivalvia plerumque monosperma. Rockingham Bay, J. Dallachy (Herb. Melbourne — fig. and ftg. specimens), 24 VI. 1866, (herb at river). Mount Molloy, alt. 1,200 ft., in rocky places, L. J. Brass, No. 2443 (type — flowers and immature fruits); 11/4/1932; (2-3 ft. high, upper surface of leaves very pale green, lower silver-grey ; flowers yellow ) . Amongst previously described Australian species most closely allied to S. mutica Domin., cordifolm L. var. mutica Benth.), whichf differs in having very much smaller leaves and very short pedicels (shorter than the calyx). I am much indebted to Mr. S. T. Blake for kindly comparing these specimens with the unnamed ones of Dallachy ’s at the National Her- barium, Melbourne, and to Mr. P. J. Rae, Government Botanist, Mel- bourne, for their subsequent loan so that a full description could be drawn up. Order Tiliaceae. Grewia papaaua Burret in Notizb. Bot. Gar. u. Mus., Berlin, IX., 672 (1926). Mowbray River, in rain-forests, L. J. Brass, No. 2011; (flowers and young fruits) ; Jan. 25; (small slender tree or large bush; leaves glossy above, paler beneath ; flowers yellowish green, secreting a large quantity of nectar, which often sticks the points of the perianth lobes together and prevents the proper opening of the flowers). Only previously known from Northern New Guinea. The speci- mens have kindly been compared with the type material at Berlin by Dr. Burrett, who states that it is quite the same as his plant. Triumfetta suffruticosa Bl. Bijdr. 113. Palm Island, North-east Queensland, W. A. Somerville, May, 1926. Determination at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Eng.), by W. D. Erancis. Not previously recorded for Queensland. Order Rutaceae, Eriostemon amhiens F. v. Muell. Fragm. Phytogr. Austr. VI. 166 (1868). Wyberba, Southern Queensland. Mrs. Gunn; (flowering specimens), 9/9/1932. Eriostemon salicifolius Sm. in Rees. Cyclop. XIII, No. 1. Pyramid Mountain, abt. 30 miles from Stanthorpe. H. Jarvis, 6/11/1931. A deflnite record for a plant previously recorded for Queensland without specific locality. Melicope sessili flora, sp. nov. Arbor parva vel frutex elatus ; partibus novellis stellato-tomentosis mox glabris. Folia opposita, petiolata, unifoliolata, in sicco chartacea CONTRIBUTION TO THE OCEENSLAND FLORA, NO. 5. o5 vel subcoriacea, supra siibnitida, subtus pallidiora, opaca et dense atro- punctata, elliptica vel elliptico-lanceolata, basi obtusa vel subacuta, apice obtusa vel obtuse acuminata ; nervis lateralibus subparallelis, utrinque 25, in sicco nervis et venis utrinque prominulis; petiolo 1-1-5 cm. longo ; lamina 8-16 cm. longa, 3-5-5 cm. lata. Flores albi sessiles in fascicules paucifloros axillares vel laterales dispositi. Sepala 4, imbricata late ovata, 2 mm. diam., extus stellato-tomentosa. Petala 4 linearia, coo- cava, ad apicem in alabastro inflexa, extus dense stellato-tomentosa, intus glabra, 7 mm. longa. Stamina 8, omnia fertilia, alterna breviora ; fila- mentis applanatis, brevioribus glabris, longioribus intus carinatus et apicem versus verrucoso-ciliatis. Discus annularis 8-lobatus, Gynoeciuiu glabrum ; ovario in 4 carpella distincta diviso ; styli ramis ad apicem conjunctis. Mossman River Gorge, in rain-forest, L. J. Brass, No. 2108; (flower- ing specimens and one unripe fruit) ; Feb. 9; (tall bush or small tree with stiff brittle leaves, flowers white). Among previously described Australian species seems to have the closest affinity with M. Fareana F. v. Mueller, which differs in having the leaflets cuneate at the base and the flowers on rather long slender pedicels. The material of the new species to hand is rather scrappy. Only a few flowers were available for dissection. There was one-half or less than half matured fruit and this seems to be surrounded by persistent sepals and persistent or subpersistent petals, a character it shares with M. Fareana F. v. Muell. Order Burseraceae. Canarium a^ustralianum F. v. Mueller, Fragm, Phytogr. Austr., III., 15, 1862. Mossman River, in riverine rain-forest, L, J. Brass, No. 2044; (flowering specimens), Feb. 4; ( stiff -branched tree up to 60 ft. high; leaves very stiff, upper surface shining, lower greyish ; flowers v/hite ) . Mowbray River, L. J. Brass, in rain-forests. No. 2005; (flowering and fruiting specimens), Jan. 23; (small, slender-stemmed tree up to 18 ft.; leaves clustered at ends of branches) . These two specimens are recorded as — No. 2044 represents the typical form with the lower surface of the leaves in the adult tree clothed with a dense tomentum and the panicle branches, calyces, and young petals densely pilose ; while No. 2005 represents a very distinctive form. I had drawn up a description of this latter as a new species, but on looking through the large series of specimens in the Queensland Herbarium concluded that though very distinctive at first sight it could not be separated specifically. It is characterised by being almost entirely glabrous, only the young parts being pilose, this referring to the panicle branches and calyces as well as to the leaves. The leaves on the: whole are larger with more numerous leaflets, and the lateral veins are; fewer and wider apart. We have specimens of what is apparently the same species in leaf only, determined by Mueller as SanUria Icevigata Blume, collected at Harvey’s Creek, Russell River, by W. A. Sayer in 1887, so evidently Mueller did not connect it with his C. australianum. I have refrained from naming this form specifically, not only on account of the known variability of members of the genus, but also from the fact that an intermediate form occurs in which the leaves of adult trees are quite glabrous, but the panicle branches, calyces, and young 56 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. petals have the densely pilose character of the normal form. This inter- mediate form is represented in the Queensland Herbarium from Towns- ville (collected by the Rev. N. Micheal, No. 1360, and by C. T. White, sine no. February, 1922 ; from Mount Molloy, Forest Officer Carlin, and Irvinebank, F. Bennett). Another point that has restrained me from naming it as a species is the fact that No. 2005 has been taken from a young tree, and so far as I have observed in the field the leaves on the young trees of C. australianiim are much larger than those of the adult tree, and perfectly glabrous on both the upper and lower surfaces. Order Rhamnaceae. Crypiandra lanosiflora F.v.M. Fragm. Phytogr. Austr., III., 65 (1862). Slopes of Mount Jibbenbar, bet. 2,000 and 3,000 ft. alt. L. C. Ball, July, 1919. Not previously recorded for Queensland. Order Sapindaceae. Arytera suhnitida sp. nov. Arbor parva, partibus junioribus dense fusco-tomentosis. Folia 4-6-foliolata ; rachi 8-18 cm. longo tomentoso basi tumido ; foliolis lanceo- latis utrinque costa media exeepta glabris valde reticulatis apice obtusiuscule acuminatis vel subobtusis basi cuneatis, in sicco papy- raceis supra opacis subtus nitidis pallidioribus, in axillis nervorum praecipuorum valde foveolatis laminis 8-15 cm. longis, 2*5-5 cm. latis; petiolulis ca. 5 mm. longis dense tomentosis basi leviter tumidis. Thyrsi paniculati vel racemosi folia suboequantes ; ramis tomentosis cincinnos numerosos breviter (2-5 mm.) pediinculatos 2-3-floros gerentibus; flori- bus pedicellatis, pedicellis ad 3 mm. longis pilis stramineis paucis obsitis. Calyx late cupularis 5-dentatus 2*5 mm. diam. extus pilis paucis adspersus, lobis ovatis. Petala calycis lobos aequantes vel vix super- antes. 2 — squamata, squamis magnis petala fere oequantibus margine pilis longis albis obsitis. Discus carnosus, leviter lobatus. Stamina 8, antheris 1 mm. longis, filamentis 0*5 mm. longis, basi pubescentibus. Ovarium triloculare, in parte superiore pilis stramineis paucis obsitum, stylo dense pubescenti. Daintree River in riverine rain-forest, L. J. Brass, No. 2345 ; (flower- ing specimens) ; March 19; (small tree with close grey bark, lower sur- face of leaves smooth and shining). Among previously described Australian species is most closely allied to A. foveoiata F. v. M., vffiich differs in having rather smaller leaflets with stronger primary veins and a much more branched panicle. Mischocarpus montamis sp. nov. Arbor parva compacta, 2-3 m. alta ; partibus junioribus tomentosis ; ramulis purpureis. Folia abrupte pinnata, 2-4 foliolata, rachi purpureo 2-4 cm. ; foliolis ellipticis vel elliptico-lanceolatis, apice subacutis vel obtusis basi cuneatis vel subobtusis acquilateris integris, margine subre- volutis, coriaceis utrinque glabris et valde reticulatis ; costa media supra excavata subtus valde elevata purpurea ; nervis lateralibus utrinque 10-12 ; lamina 4-6 cm. longa, 2-2*5 cm. lata ; petiolulo 8 mm. longo purpureo basi tumido. Paniculse axillares vel subterminales ad 12 cm. longae et 8 cm. latse ; ramulis tenuiter tomentosis ; pedicellis 2*5 mm. longis tenuiter pubescentibus. Calyx 1*5 mm. diam. tenuiter CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND FLORA, NO. 5. 57 pubescens, lobis late triangularibus. Petala 1 mm.^ longa, margine pills longis albis adspersa ; squamis albo-pilosis sed vix cristatis. Discus cupu- laris crassus glaber. Stamina 8, 2 mm. longa; filamentis tenuis, albo- pilosis. Ovarium tomeiitosum parvum stipitatum, stipite crasso. Thornton Peak, alt. 4,000-4,500 ft. ; in low scrubs near the summit, L. J. Brass; No. 2293; (flowering specimens) ; March 14; (compact tree 6-8 ft. high ; branches, petioles and leaf midribs purple ; leaves stiff, curved, and with margins recurved; flowers white). In general facies the species somewhat resembles M. mvodonta (P. V. M.) Radik., moderately common in some parts of Queensland, in which, however, the leaves are much longer with the margins flat; the flowers apetaloiis and the stamens glabrous. Order Leguminosae. Acacia BotJiii F. M. Bail., in ‘‘Queensland Agricultural Journal,” YI. 39 (1900). Flower heads on peduncles of 6-8 mm. ; arranged in axillary racemes ; racemes single in the upper phyllode axils, up to 12 cm. long, or more. Calyx lobes 5, pubescent, spathulate, free almost to the base, 1 mm. long, petals ovate, about the same length as the calyx lobes. Cape York Peninsula. D. F. Thomson, No. 5. Flowers not previously described. Bauhinia maladarioa Roxb. Hort. Beng. 31 (1814) (nomen nudum). FI. Ind. ed. 2, Vol. 2, p. 321 (1832). B. Gilesii, F. M. Bail, and F. Y. Muell. in Wing’s Southern Science Record, Yol. 2, p. 151 (1882). B. Hmokesiana, F. M. Bail, in Queens. Agric. Journ., Yol. XY., 897 (1905). Northern Territory: In the vicinity of Port Darwin, Alfred Giles. Queensland : Coen, Cape York Penins. Mrs. R. W. Garraway. Though the material is rather scrappy in both cases, I have little hesitation in referring B. Hawkesiana F. M. Bail, to the earlier described B. Gilesii F. M. Bail, and F. Y. Muell., and very much doubt if either are really distinct from the widely distributed B. malaharica Roxb. ^Bauhmia monandra Kurz. in Journ. As. Soc. Beng. 42 (2) 73. Mowbray River, in riverine rain-forests; L. J. Brass, No. 2023 (fig. specimens), 27/1/32 (tree, about 15 feet, branching a few inches above the ground; fls. pale pink, mottled with red). This tree is much grown in North Queensland gardens, and is evidently now quite established as a naturalised alien in the above locality. ^Crotalaria acicularis Ham. in Wall. Cat. No. 5390, 1832 (nomen nudum) ; Benth. in Hook. Bond. Journ. Bot. 2, 476 (1843). D ’Aguilar. A very common weed on alluvial flats. Mrs. J. M. Newman. 16/3/1934. A native of Bengal, Malayan Archipelago, and Philippine Islands, quite naturalised in the above locality. Determination verified at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England. Daviesia latifolia R. Br. in Ait. Hort. Kew (2nd ed.), III., 20 (1811). Lyra (between Wallangarra and Stanthorpe). W. R. Petrie. 58 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. Not previously recorded for Queensland; the specimens are in leaf only, but I have little doubt as to the identification. Milletia pilipes F. M. Bailey. Second Add., Third Suppl. Synop. Queensland Flora in Catalogue of Queensland Plants, p. 108 (1890). Mossman River Gorge, in rain-forest. L. J. Brass, No. 2123 (pods) 9/2/32. (Large liane.) Pods 20 cm. or more long, densely covered with a soft rusty-brown pubescence, mostly 4-5-seeded and rather deeply constricted between the seeds. An interesting plant only previously known from the type gatherings Though the type is extremely fragmentary, I think there is little doubt of the above specimens being correctly matched. Pods were previously unknown. Pultenaea daphnoides Wendl. Bot. Beob. 49 (1798). Mount Ernest, S.E. Queensland, alt. 2,500 ft. C. T. White, 8577 (flg. specimens) ; 10/10/32. (Upright shrub, 0-5 m. high, standard yellow, wings and keel dark vinous red). S. T. Blake, 4323. (Virgatc shrub, 2-4 ft., petals yellow, keel deep red, standard with a red mark.) Vigna canescens sp. nov. Herba volubilis; radice tuberosa; caulibus tenuis volubilis cane- scentibus ; stipulis ovato-lanceolatis valde nervosis extus strigoso- canescentibus, intus glabris, demum reflexis, 2-5 mm. longis. Foliolae (in specimine nostro) lineari-lanceolatae, ca. 5 cm. longae, 0-5 cm. latae, utrinque pilis albis inspersae, subtus prominule nervosae ; stipellis late lanceolatis; petiolo communi ca. 3 cm. longo, albo-strigoso ; rhachi inter foliolis 0-5-0-6 cm. longa, albo-strigosa. Pedunculi axillares, uniflori,, 1-5-1-7 cm. longi albo-strigosi ; pedicellis 2-5 mm. longis ; bracteis persis- tentibus late ellipticis extus dense canescentibus intus glabris. Calyx valde nervosus, extus canescens, intus glaber, 0-7 cm. longus; tubo campanulato, lobis ovatis tubum aequantibus, 2 superioribus connatis, lobo inferiori paullo longiori. Vexillum late orbiculatum, 2 cm. diam. Alae ca. 2 cm. longae. Carina alas subaequans superne valde incurva. Filamentum vexillare a basi liberum. Stylus glaber. Ovarium dense hirsutum. Legumen non vidum (glabrum-teste Thomson). Cape York Penin., Dr. and Mrs. D. F. Thomson. No. 43. Closely allied to V. vexillata Benth., but differs in several characters. The leaves in our specimen are linear-lanceolate, but a drawing by Mrs. Thomson accompanying the specimens shows them to vary from this to almost ovate. V. vexillata Benth. is a stouter plant, the pubescence is. dark rufous in colour, the peduncles mostly two or more flowered, the bracts deciduous, the calyx lobes longer, narrower, more acute, and the style bearded along the inner face in the upper parts. Dr. Thomson writes: — am sending herewith photographs of two sketches of No. 43 {Vigna canescens) and No. 44 {Vigna vexillata). These sketches were made by my wife from fresh material in the field. The natives, who use both for food, distinguish them, and they, (and I, too) could separate the plants on general appearance, and roots also on general appearance and taste, apart from the foliage. The pod of No. 44 {Vigna vexillata) is hirsute, and of No. 43 {Vigna canescens) glabrous.’^ 59 CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND FLORA, NO. 5. Order Cunoniaceae. Ackayna australiensis n. comb. Betchea australiensis Schlecliter in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. LII., 150 (1914). Ackama quadrivalvis White and Francis in Bot. Bull. XXII,, Dept. Agric., Brisbane, 14 (1920). Rockingham Bay, J. Dallachy (type) ; Glenallyn, via Malanda, H. C. Hayes (large tree local name Pencillia) ; Atherton Tableland, J. M. Fraser (type of A. quadrivalvis White and Francis) ; Gadgarra, S. F. Kajewski No. 1805 (specimens in advanced fruit), 4/6/29 (large tree common in rain forest, Daintree River) ; Ravenshoe, Forest Overseer Manuell. Daintree River, in rain-forests, L. J. Brass, No. 2232 (flower- ing shoots and detached fruiting panicles) ; March 2 (tree 60-80 ft. high; bark grey, slightly fissured, f inch thick on a tree 15 inches in diameter; a thin red layer immediately under the outer bark, dark- brown further in ; leaves foveolate, paler on the under surface ; stipules fugacious; flowers white, sweetly scented). If we accept Schlechter’s view of the genus Ackama, it is at present confined to four species — ^two, or perhaps three, in Australia, and one in New Zealand. As regards the North Queensland plant named by Schlechter as Betchea australiensis, and later by White and Francis as Ackama quadrivalvis, I may say it does not appear to me to be more than specifically distinct from A. paniculata (F.v.M.) Engl., of Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales. The North Queensland plant was first collected at Rockingham Bay by Dallachy and distributed by Mueller under the name of Ackama Muelleri Benth. The presence ef a 3-4-celled ovary in the Rockingham Bay plant was drawn attention to by Pulle (in Lorentz Nova Guinea, VIII., 640), but he did not even raise it to varietal rank. A. australiensis shows some slight differences from A. paniculata Engl. {A. Muelleri Benth.). The leaves on the whole are less serrate, the panicle branches thicker, and the capsules smaller and 4- (sometimes 3- or 5-) celled. In his noting under Betchea australiensis Schlechter l.c. says that Ackama has only two carpels and in the fruit in each only one, long-hairy, large seed. Pie had, however, no fruiting specimens of the North Queensland plant before him. I have compared the seeds of A. australiensis (Schlechter) C. T. White and A, paniculata (P\v.M.) Engl, and can see no essential differences. Whether the other species of Betchea listed by Schlechter in his account of the genus in Engler’s Botanische Jahrbucher Band 52, pp. 146-151, are separable from Ackama or not I would not say without an examina- tion of the material. Ceratopetalum succirubrum sp. nov. C. Virchowii C. T. White. Aus. Forestry Journ., XII., 19 (1929), non F. v. Mueller. Arbor magna 30 m. alta ; trunco 1 m. diam. Folia opposita 2-3 (plerumque 3)-foliolata ; petiolo communi 1-2-5 cm. longo ; foliolis coriaceis lanceolatis apice leviter acutis vel subobtusis, basi cuneatis, utrinque reticulatis, margine in parte superiore valde crenulato-serratis, laminis 5-12 cm. longis, 1-5-4 cm. latis; petiolulis 0-7-1-3 cm. longis. Paniculae terminates vel subterminales multiflorae ; remulis pedicel- lisque tomentosis ; pedicellis 2 mm. longis. Calycis tubus late turbinatus, parce tomentosus, 1 mm. diam. ; lobis 4 utrinque parcissime tomentosis, post anthesin auctis. Stamina 8, fiilamentis 1-5 mm. longis, complanatis 60 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. basem versus leviter dilatatis, connectivi apiculo prominenti leviter recurvo. Discus subcarnosus, annulatus, lobatus. Ovarium tomentosunij, styli glabri. Gadgarra, Atherton Tableland, J. L. Tardent sine no (type-flowering specimens). Received 14/12/28, several duplicates of Mr. Tardent ’s specimens were distributed from the Queensland Herbarium as Virchowii F.v.M., C. T. White, No. 1571 (leaves only available) ^ 20/3/32 (large tree, local name, ‘‘Blood-in-the-Bark”) ; Danbulla, Ather- ton Tableland (D. Fraser, No. 14, leaves only). Forest Reserve R. 310,, Gadgarra; R. B. Dreghorn (leaves only available), 25/10/1934. Closely allied to C. Virchowii F.v.M., but differing as follows : — Leaflets distinctly acuminate, acumen often long, margin very slightly crenate ; flowers 5-merous . . . . . . . . . . .'. C. Virchowii Leaflets slightly acute or obtuse, margins markedly crenulate-serrate in the upper part; flowers 4-merous . . . . . . . . . . C. succiruhrum I had previously identified “ Blood-in-the-Bark, ” a common tree in North Queensland, as C. Virchowii, and recently I received specimens of a tree commonly called ‘^Dogwood” in the North Queensland scrubs from Forest Overseer R. B. Dreghorn. These were also determined as C, Virchowii F.v.M., but Mr. Dreghorn states that the two trees are very distinct in the field. He writes ; — ^‘(1) ‘Dogwood’ favours the poor soils, and I have not noticed this tree on any but the grey soil in more or less stunted scrub or rain-forest, whilst ‘Blood-in-the-Bark’ favours richer soils and heavy scrubs. (2) The ‘Dogwood’ crown is fairly heavy, whilst ‘Blood-in-the-Bark’ has a very light crown. (3) At date 26/10/34 ‘Dogwood’ is flowering heavily, whilst ‘Blood- in-the-Bark’ is not flowering. (4) The wood of ‘Dogwood’ is much heavier than that of ‘Blood-in-the-Bark,’ of which there is a constant demand for timber purposes, mostly for plywood. (5) Less ‘blood’ exudes from the bark when cut from ‘Dogwood’ than from ‘ Blood-in-the Bark. ’ ’ ’ Critical examination of the herbarium specimens bears out I\Ir. Dreghorn ’s opinion that the two trees are quite distinct. Satin Sycamore is the official name for the timber of C. succiruhrum adopted by the Queensland Forest Service, and writing of it Mr. B. H. F. Swain, in his ‘ ‘ Timbers and Forest Products of Queensland, ’ ’ says : — “Satin Sycamore is a wood of unusual appearance, and capable of special application in cabinet work. It is tough and strong, and takes glue and stain well. It is not durable in the ground. The log cuts up very faultily. To get first-class wide boards entails getting a large proportion of second class. It is inclined to twist in drying, and requires careful seasoning in stripped stacks under cover. “Satin Sycamore is used in North Queensland as a general building hardwood for the framing, flooring, and lining of houses. It is also used on occasions for external sheeting, but its use for this purpose is not recommended where more durable timbers are available. It makes a very handsome polished floor, especially when back-sawn. It is now being successfully used as a furniture wood.” CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND FLORA, NO. 5. 61 Order Hamamelidaceae. Ostrearia australiana Baill. in Adansonia X., 131 (1871). Mossman River Gorge, in rain-forests, L. J. Brass, No. 2140 (flower buds) ; 11th February, 1932, (Small tree with weak spreading branches; leaves aromatic, glossy above, greyish on the underside ; inflorescence pendulous under the leaves.) A very interesting find ; the genus was previously only known from fruiting material and its systematic position was doubtful. The follow- ing additional particulars to those previously known are now published : — Flowers hermaphrodite, borne in spikes terminal or in the upper axils, the few lowermost flowers distant, upper ones more or less crowded ; bracts subtending the few lowermost flowers often leaf-like, those under the upper one narrow-linear. Calyx valvate. Petals 6. Stamens 6,, subsessile. Ovary 2-celled, semi-inferior, loculi 1-ovulate. The plant was originally collected at Rockingham Bay by Dallachy. As no specimens of the plant were available for comparison in the National Herbarium, Melbourne, where most of Dallachy ’s specimens are to be found, a sheet of Brass’ gathering was forwarded to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, where it was known specimens of 0. australiana Baill. were represented. The specimen was very kindly examined by Dr. Hutchinson, who reported that it agreed perfectly with 0. a%istraliana Baill., and that in his opinion it seemed to be a distinct genus and most nearly related to Dicoryphe from Madagascar. Order Myrtaceae. Backhousia HugJiesii sp. nov. Arbor magna, cortice subfibroso, ligno duro, ramulis novellis angularibus. Folia petiolata, elliptica apice leviter et obtuse accuminata vel emarginata, basi acuta, supra subnitida subtus pallidiora et opaca;. petiolo ad 5 mm. longo ; lamina 3-5-5 cm. longa, 2-3 cm. lata ; nervis lateralibus in sicco prominulis 12-15 in utroque latere. Flores albi parvi in cymas paniculatas multifloras terminates dispositi ; braeteis paucis foliatis ad 1 cm. longis et 3 mm. latis; ramis et pedicellis glabris vel leviter pubescentibus, pedicellis gracilis 1-5 cm. longis, e pedunculis communis 2-7 floris orientibus. Calycis tubum late turbinatum; lobis suborbicularibus, majoribus 2-5 mm. diam. Petala oblonga vel suborbi- cularia in sicco membranacea calycis lobos aequantia vel vix superantia. Stamina numerosa; filamentis 4 mm. longis. Ovarium 2-loculatum,, semisuperum. Daintree River, Apicos Hughes, who remarks : — ^‘The trees grow exclusively on the hills in dense scrub,, coming out of the ground with round barrel and round surface roots, but no flanges. To test its lasting qualities I felled a tree and let it lie ten years in the scrub, and when milled it showed no sign of rot and was only discoloured in about -J inch. The timber is very hard but works well wflth saw and carpenter ’s tools. A peculiarity of it is that if during its growth the tree is bruised or damaged it bleeds a grey-looking sap, which forms into a grey cement as per sample enclosed, and is found often under the sap wood and bark. R.s. — c. 62 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. ‘^The local naiae here is Grey Teak or Stone Wood, and it is being used extensively in building and bridge timbers. I would be glad to know the botanical name or any information you may have about it, as I have not found it in any other locality than ■ Daintree Eiver. ” Among previously described species most closely allied to B. Bancroftii Bail., which differs in having the young shoots, pedicels, and calyx tube pubescent, the leaves very much longer, 5-13 cm. long and 2-5-5*5 cm. broad, the flowers and fruit much larger, and less numerous on shorter, stouter pedicels. Callistemon rigidus E. Br. in Bot. Eeg. Tab. 393 (1819). Wyberba, between Stanthorpe and Wallangarra, in swampy country or in seepages among granite hills. C. T. White, No. 9336 (ftg. speci- mens) ; 13/10/33. (Shrub, mostly with a single stem 2 m. high.) Lyra, between Stanthorpe and Wallangarra, W. E. Petrie. Both Wyberba and Lyra are several miles within Queensland terri- tory. The species has a wide range in New South Wales, and has been recorded from Wallangarra (New South Wales-Queensland border). B iicalyptus\ oreades E. T, Baker, in Proc. Linn. Soc., New South Wales, XXIV., 596, t. XLIII. (1900). Springbrook, S.E. Queensland, alt. 3,000 ft. C. T. White, 6233 (young buds and nearly ripe seed capsules) ; 20/9/1929. (Medium- sized tree with persistent, rather ^Mox’Mike bark at base, leaves coriaceous, glossy green. Coppice shoots glaucous white, the leaves dull glaucous green, young ones (“ gum-tips,’’ a rich wine colour). Not previously recorded for Queensland. I am indebted for the determination to Mr. W. F. Blakely (National Herbarium), Sydney. Eugenia sordida F. M. Bailey in Bull. 18 (Bot. Bull. Y.), Dept. Agric., Brisbane, 15 (1892). E. maeoorai F. M. Bailey l.c. Bellenden Ker, alt. 4,700 ft.; F. M. Bailey (type) ; Bellenden Ker, near the summit of the south peak, F. M. Bailey (type of E. maeoorai). Bellenden Ker, C. T. White (old flowers), January, 1923. Eungella Eange, W. D. Francis (rather old flowering specimens), October, 1922 (low, densely branched, spreading shrub, growing in creeks near the mountain side) ; Gadgarra, T. Fuller; Freshwater Creek, near Cairns, W. D. Francis (old flowers), June, 1928 (straggling tree on banks of the creek) ; slopes of Mount Demi, alt. 2,500 ft., L. J. Brass, No. 2094 (fruits) ; 6th February (tall shrub, leaves coriaceous, paler on under side ; solitary terminal globose fruits, 1 J inch diam. ) . After examining the types of E. sordida F. M. Bailey and E. maeoorai F. M. Bailey, I am convinced that both represent the same species. The fruit was previously undescribed; the solitary specimen collected by Brass is globose, 3-5 cm. diam., and crowned by the wide persistent rim of the calyx, which forms a flne ring about 2 cm. diam. Mieromyrtus hexamera Maid and Betche in Proc. Linn. Soc., N.S.W., XXVI., 82 (1901). Charlotte Plains, 30 miles west of Cunnamulla, W. A. L. Ivory, No. 1, September, 1894. Not previously recorded for Queensland. (Determination by S. L. Everist, Botanic Museum and Herbarium, Brisbane.) CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND FLORA, NO- 5. 63 Rhodomyrtus recurva sp. nov. Friitex glaber vel arbor parva ; raimilis robnstis. Folia lanceolata, pennivenia in sicco subchartacea, apice subacuminata, basi cuneata ; nervis lateralibus subtus prominulis ca. 22 in utroque latere ; vena intra- marginali ca. 1 mm. a margine remota; margine recurva; petiolo 1 cm. longo, in sicco nigrescenti; lamina ad 18 cm. longa et 6-5 cm. lata. Flores in cymas axillares dispositi ; cymis brevis petiolis vix duplo longioribus. Calycis tubus breviter cylindricus, 3 mm. longus; limbo irregulariter 5-lobato; lobis majoribus 3 mm. diam. Petala suborbicularia, stamina numerosa petala baud superantia. Mossman Fiver, in rain-forest, No. 2127 (flowering specimens) • 2nd February. (Tall bush or small tree with close pale-grey bark; leaves thick, rather fleshy and brittle, margins recurved.) The present species has its closest affinities with B. macrocarpa Benth., which differs in having larger leaves on longer petioles, lacking an intramarginal vein, and in the young parts and inflorescence being^ hoary-tomentose. B. cy mi flora F.v.M. differs in being much smaller in all its parts and in having much more elongate slender loosely arranged cymes. Order Araliaceae. Polyscias mollis (Benth.) Harms in Engl. Prantl. Nat. Pflanzenfam. III. (8), 45 (1894). Slender, erect, sparsely branched rain-forest tree, 5 m. high, upper part of stem pithy, marked with large leaf-scars, and armed with stout sharp prickles (Brass). Leaves simply pinnate, rhachis, including the petiole, about 60 cm. long, tomentose, petiole itself about 25 cm. long,, clothed on the inner side with rather numerous prickles, the prickles gradually disappearing from the upper part of the rhachis ; leaflets 7-8 pairs and a terminal odd one, glabrous above, densely velvety pubescent beneath, lowermost pair ovate, 10 cm. long, 6-5 cm. wide, intermediate ones oblong-lanceolate, averaging about 15 cm. long and 5 cm. broad, oblique and acute or subacute at the base, petiolules mostly about 1 cm. long, tomentose, terminal leaflet lanceolate aequilateral at the base, apex in all leaflets except commonly the lowermost pair acuminate-caudate, the acumen itself up to 2 cm. long. Panicle terminal, thrice branched, 45 cm. long and rather more in diameter, all parts reddish purple (Brass) ; branches tomentose, lateral branches 20-30 cm. long, bearing numerous umbels, on peduncles of 2-5-5 cm. Umbels 10-12 flowered, pedicels 6-8 mm. long. Flowers not seen. Fruits compressed, globose, 4 mm. diam., carpels strongly ribbed. Daintree River, in rain-forest, L. J. Brass, No. 2343 (fruiting speci- mens) ; 19th March, 1932. (Slender, erect, sparsely branched tree, 15 ft. high, upper stem pithy, marked with large leaf scars and armed with stout sharp prickles; inflorescence a terminal thrice branched panicle 18 in. long and rather more in diameter ; all parts reddish-purple ; fruits ribbed and very much compressed.) A description of the above species drawn up from Brass’ No. 2343 is offered herewith as Bentham’s original description of Panax mollis in the Flora Australiensis III., 382 (1866) is exceedingly meagre; it is supplemented by a note on the aculeate nature of the stem by Mueller in Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae VII., 96 (1870). The species 64 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. was apparently only previously known from the type locality — Rocking- ham Bay. The dried specimens are markedly aromatic, with a celery- like scent. Polyscim purpureus sp. nov. Frutex glaber 2-3 m. altus. Folia simpliciter imparripinnata 7-9 foliolata rachi cum petiolo ca. 35 cm., petiolo ipso 17 cm., basem versus subdense lenticellato, basi in vaginam semiamplexicaulem dilatato ; foliolis lanceolatis apice longe acutis vel subacuminatis subcarnosis (Brass) in sicco papyraceis vel subcoriaceis ; nervis praecipuis subtus elevatis venis et venulis sub lente prominulis ; margine crenulatis dentibus panels praeditis ; laminis ad 23 cm. longis et 8 cm. latis ; petiolulis ad 1-5 cm. Paniculae ca. 25 cm. diam. ; ramis praecipuis 15-18 cm. lenti- cellatis; ramis secundariis subverticellatis 1-5-3-5 cm.; ramis ultimis vel pedunculis 1-2 cm. longis 8-12 floris ; pedicellis tenuibus 3-5 mm. Calyx urceolatus; limbo truncato. Petala 5, ovato-lanceolata, 2 mm. longa; stamina 5, filamentis 1 mm., antheris versatilibus 1 mm. longis. Fructus compressus 3 mm. diam., stylis 2 valde recurvis. Mossman River Gorge, in rain-forest. L. J. Brass, No. 2072 (type : flowering and fruiting specimens) ; 5th February (sparingly branched shrub 6-8 ft., rather fleshy pale-green leaves, all parts of inflorescence purple). Mowbray River, in rain-forest. L. J. Brass, No. 1982 (flower- ing specimens) ; 21st January (large shrub, inflorescence purple). Ranges near Trinity Bay, F. M. Bailey (small tree). Bellenden-Ker, H. Newport (Meston’s Bellenden-Ker Exped., 1904), determined and recorded by F. M. Bailey as Panax Murrayi F.v.M. Kuranda, C. T. White, No. 1532 (fruiting specimens) 28/2/1922. Among previously described Australian species intermediate between P. Murrayi (F.v.M.) Harms and P. Mmgillivrayi (Benth.) Harms. The former differs in having much more' numerous leaflets (from 13-20 pairs) and a much larger differently branched inflorescence. The latter, according to a tracing of the type made for me at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, by Mr. W. D. Francis, has more oblong or elliptic leaflets, and a very much larger, rather differently branched panicle, the primary branches being 25 cm. or more long. Order Rubiaceae. Ixora triflora R. Br. ex Benth. FI. Austr. III. 416 (1866). Mt. Demi, alt. 2,000 ft., on mountain slopes, L. J. Brass, No. 2080 ; (flowering specimens) ; Feb. 6. (Shrub, about 4 ft. high, leaves thin and soft, paler on the underside; flowers white in terminal pairs, between very pale green bracts.) This interesting plant was previously only known from one or two coastal localities. The present specimens differ from these in that the leaf-like bracts subtending the flowers are ovate-lanceolate, and sharply pointed, not orbicular in shape. Otherwise the leaves and flowers agree. A note on Ixora triflora R.Br. and its confusion with Diplospora ixoroides F. V. M. was published by Spencer Moore in the ‘‘Journal of Botany,’^ LXIV. 215, 1926. Randia Audasii sp. nov. Arbor parva, 3-4 m. alta, glabra-, ramulis novellis, compressis. Stipulae late ovatae 2 mm. longae. Folia brevipetiolata, in sicco papyracea vel crasse membranacea, atrocastanea, ovato-lanceolata, basi CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND FLORA, NO. 5. 65 'obtusa vel subacuta, apice obtusa, subacuminata ; petiolo 5 mm. longo ; lamina 10-13 cm. longa, 3-5 cm. lata; iiervis lateralibus utrinqne 7-8, supra impressis, subtus leviter elevatis. Inflorescentia terminalis 2-4-flora ; bracteis late ovatis, 2-3 mm. longis; pedunculo 5-7 mm. longo ; pedicellis ca. 1 cm. longis. Calyx alte cupularis, 1 cm. longus ; limbo breviter 5-dentato. Corolla albo-cremea; tubo 4 cm. longo, extus glabro, intus dense piloso; lobis 5-elliptico-oblongis 2*5-3 cm. longis, 1-1*5 cm. latis. Stamina in f auce inserta ; filamentis 1 mm. longis ; antheris linearibus 1 cm. longis. Stylus glaber, stigmate valde incrassato, bilamellato. Mowbray River, alt. 1,000 ft., on rain-forest borders, L. J. Brass, No. 1956; (type; flowering specjmens) ; Jan. 19. (Tree 10-12 ft. high, large creamy white lioney-sucflie scented flowers). Endeavour River, Miss Lovell. This is evidently a striking plant in the field; it does not show marked affinities with any previously described Australian species. Miss Lovell’s specimens were examined by Mr. W. D. Francis while at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and he reported that they could not be matched with any species of Randia or Gardenia in the herbarium there. I take the opportunity of dedicating this plant to my friend, Mr. James W. Audas, Curator of the National Herbarium, Melbourne, who has rendered me valuable assistance in my studies on North Queensland plants. 'Wendlandia mclusa sp. nov. Frutex altus dense pubens; ramulis subrobustis. Stipulae lance- olatae 6 mm. longae mox deciduae. Folia lanceolata vel ovtao-lanceolata, supra atro-viridia subtus eanescentia, in sicco crasse papyracea, apice acuta vel subacuminata, basi acuta in petiolum angustata ; lamina 10-15 cm. longa, 4-6 cm. lata ; petiolo 1-3*5 cm. longo, petiolis oppositis inter- dum valde in^qualibus. Inflorescentias terminales, cymosae, paucifloras, folds multo breviores. Flores rosei, pro genere magni. Calycis tubus late campanulatus 3-4 mm. longus ; limbus 5-partitus ; lobis subsequalibus tubo longioribus lanceolatis persistentibus. Corollae tubus breviter infundibularis calycis lobos lequans, extus dense pilosus, intus glaber ; limbo 5-partito ; lobis oblongis tubum subaequantibus, basi appendidculatis et faucem includentibus, in sicco venosis. Stamina 5 inclusa ad basem corallae inserta ; filamentis brevis applanatis, antheris magnis elongatis corollge tubum ^quantibus. Ovarium inferum, 2-loculare ; stylus fili- formis pubescens tubum corollae aequans ; stigma clavellatum ; ovula in loculis numerosa, in placentis elongatis crassis inserta. Capsula oblonga, Crustacea ; seminibus subangularibus, testa reticulata. Daintree River, in rain-forest gullies, L. J. Brass, No. 2,327 (flower- ing and fruiting specimens) ; March 13 (tall pubescent shrub, upper side of leaves very dark green, lower grey with very pale, almost white, hairs on the nerves). The present plant is so different in appearance to other members of the genus known to me that I drew up a description of it as a new genus, but after going carefully into the matter consider it cannot be separated generically from Wendlandia. The chief features are the comparatively large flowers in a definite cymose inflorescence ; the corolla lobes with a raised appendage at the base more or less closing the throat and the included stamens inserted at the very base of the corolla tube. 66 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. Order Compositae. Blumea puhigera (L.) Merr. in Philipp. Journal Science, XIV. 25f> (1919). B. cJiinensis DC. Prodr. 5.444 (1836), non Conyza chinensis L. Conyza elata P. M. Bailey, Bot. Bull. VIII., Dept. A(^tic . Brisbane, 78 (1893). Kussell River, P. M. Bailey (Bellenden Ker Exped., 1889) ; Barron River, E. Cowley; Stony Creek, near Cairns, E. Cowiey; Johnstone River, Bev. N. Michael ; between Cairns and Herberton, C. J. Wild. I have no hesitation in referring Conyza elata, P. M. Bailey, to the common Blumea pubigera (L.) Merr., widely distributed through India,, the Philippines, Malay Archipelago, and New Guinea. Brachycome discolor C. Stuart in Benth. PI. Austr. III. 520 (1866). Wyberba, near Queensland-New South Wales border; among rocks in granite hills. C. T. White, No. 9378 (flowering specimens), Oct. 13, 1933 (leave® dull green above, purple beneath, fls. mauve). This plant was previously admitted into the Queensland flora by both Mueller and Bailey, but no Queensland specimens were pre- viously found in either the National Herbarium, Melbourne, or the Queensland Herbarium, Brisbane. ^Conyza chilensis Sprewg, Nov. Prov. p. 14 (1818). Toowoomba, Darling Downs. A common weed in grassland, on red basaltic soil; C. T. White, 6644, 27/2/1930. Toowoomba, common weed on roadside; S. T. Blake, 5135, 10/2/34. A native of South America. Determination by W. D. Prancis at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ^Eleutheranthera ruderalis Schultz. Bip. Townsville; a very common weed about the town. C. T. White,, 8956, 26/3/33. Bartle Prere. Dr. H. Plecker, No. 547 [2/6/35]. A native of Tropical America. A specimen was forwarded to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England, where it was kindly determined for me by Mr. V. S. Summerhayes. ''^Microlonchus salmanticus D.C. Prodr. VI. 563 (1837). Centaurea sodmmitica L. Sp. PI. 918. Greenmount, Darling Downs. H. Mansbridge, Nov., 1931. A native of the Mediterranean region not previously recorded as a naturalised alien. ^Olearia argophylla P. v. M. var. grandiflora n. var. 0. oliganthema White and Prancis, Proc. Roy. Soc. Q. XXXV. 72; 1923 non P. v. Muell. Excellit capitulis majoribus, involucra 1 cm. diam. bracteis numerosis pilis longis dense vestitis, flosculis longioribus cum gechgenia 1-2 cm. longis. Differs from the type in the flowers being much larger (involucre 0-5 cm. diam. in the type, 1 cm. diam. in var. grandiflora) , the involucral bracts also are more numerous and more hairy than in type, the individual florets are larger (0-8 cm. long in the type, including the achene, and 1.2 cm. long in the var. grandiflora). CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND FLORA, NO. 5. 67 Macpherson Range, near Emu Yale, 70 miles south-west from Bris- bane. C. P. Saunders, No. 88; W. D. Francis (flowering specimens), Nov., 1920; Roberts Plateau, Lamington National Park, alt. 1,000 m., C. T. White, No. 6032 28/5/1929; (leaves only) small spreading tree or large shrub, 4 m. high, leaves dull dark green above, silvery white beneath. The Macpherson Range specimens were recorded by White and Francis 1. c. as 0. oliganthema F.v.M., but on a closer examination of the material I am convinced they more closely conform to 0. argophylla F. V. M., though differing from the common New South Wales and Vic- torian form in the features indicated above. Olearia steUulata D. C. Prod. Y. 272, var. lirata, Benth. FI. Austr. 1. 473, 1866. Springbrook, alt. 3,000 ft., W. Rudder; (flowering specimens) ; 6/9/1929. Upper Tallebudgera, C. T. White, 12/1917. These specimens seem to agree with Bentham’s variety, though they represent rather a robust form. The Springbrook plant has leaves, including the 1 cm. long petiole, up to 16-5 cm. (6|^ inches) long; the blades on flowering shoots are 7-8 times as long as broad, broader on sterile ones. The Upper Tallebudgera specimens bear only very old flowering branches ; they have slightly broader leaves, more bullate above, but obviously representing the same plant. No altitudinal record is given on the latter specimens, but they were probably gathered on the track from Upper Tallebudgera to Springbrook, as I visited Springbrook by that route in December, 1917. The variety not previously recorded for Queensland. ^ Schkuhria isopappa Benth. PL Hartweg. 205. Wyaralong, Boonah. Rev. N. Michael, No. 1967 ; (flg. specimens) ; 28/12/33. A native of Colombia, South America. For the specific determina- tion I am indebted to Mr. Y. S. Summerhayes, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew ( Eng. ) . As this was rather an unusual introduction, I asked Mr. Michael for any particulars he could forward. In reply he wrote : — ‘Wery many thanks for jmur letter and the interesting , information relating to my No. 1967 SchJ&uhria isopappa Bentham. I showed your letter to Mr. Colin Philp, who owns Wyaralong homestead some 8 or 10 miles out from here. He is unable to throw any light on it, except to say that he has noticed it only within recent times — a few years. I found it to be growing abundantly in the home paddocks. ‘M had an idea that it might have been introduced in the numerous packing cases which have for many years made their appearance on his property from overseas. His whole back yard and sheds are choked with many varieties of cars, trucks, and agricultural and log-hauling machinery. It had occurred to me some stray wind-blown pappi or achenes could quite easily come over in some of the huge machinery cases which have from time to time littered his yard. 68 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. ‘ ‘ Then, another problem arises. Since collecting these speci- mens at Wyar along, I have seen this same plant growing more or less abundantly along the road following Teviot Brook towards. Mr. Sandy Mackay’s place, ‘The Rahch,’ near the head of the Teviot Brook, at the foot of Wilson’s Peak. A most delight- ful spot where we often go to spend a day. Now, the Ranch is; about 21 miles in the opposite direction from here ; Wyar along is 8-10 miles on the road to Beaudesert — a crow’s flight distance of some 30 miles. I have another theory that this plant comes originally from the Wilson’s Peak area, as the Teviot Brook waters the whole country, and wanders about from there through Wyaralong for at least 40 miles. Mr. Philp has more than 1(> miles of it running through his property. I have an idea that an examination of the country, at the proper time, will show that this stream has distributed our new botanical stranger, which will no doubt be found in the Albert River areas, which take in the Teviot before Beaudesert.” Spilanthes Acmella (L.) Murr. Syst. 610 (1774). Kamerunga, Barron River, North Queensland; E. Cowley, Aug., (1891.) This widely distributed tropical species does not appear to have previously been recorded for Queensland. Determination at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Eng.), by W. D. Francis. Vittadima temdssima J; M. Black, PL Sth. Aus. p. 595. (1929.) Ramsay, Darling Downs, Mrs. John Ramsay; Toowoomba, Darling Downs, C. T. White. Previous to these records the inclusion of this species in the “Queensland Flora’’ rested on doubtful material from the Burnett River, collected by Mueller, and from specimens from Tambourine Moun- tain, collected by Domin, which, however, he states are not typical. Order Sapotaceae. Lucuma sessiliflora sp. nov. Arbor parva, ramulis novellis angularibus dense ferrugineo-hirsutis. Folia petiolata, juniora utrinque pilis ferrugineis sericeis plus vel minus dense obsita, vetustiora glabra, chartacea, in sicco utrinque sub lente minute et distincte reticulata, supra viridia, opaca, subtus fulva, sub- nitida, elliptica vel ovato-lanceolata ; nervis secundariis utrinque 5-6 ; petiolisl-1-5 cm. longis; laminis 6*5-8 cm. longis, 3-4 cm. latis. Flores sessiles, solitarii axillares. Sepala 5, utrinque hirsuta 2 exteriora late ovata subacuta 6 mm. longa, 4 mm. lata, 3 interiora, paulo longiora (marginibus extus glabris). Corolla glabra, 1 cm. longa; lobis 2 mm. longis, rotundis. Antherae late ovatae, 1 mm. Iqngae, subsessiles ; staminodia paulo altius inserta, ligulata, 1*75 mm. longa, 0*75 mm. lata. Ovarium cylindricum, liirsutiim ; stylo glabro, incluso ; stigmate capitato. Mount Demi, alt. 3,000 ft., in light rain-forest, L. J, Brass, No. 2088 - (flowering specimens) ; Feb. 6; (small tree, on summit of mountain). Among previously described Australian species has very close affinities with L. UnmacMana P. M. Bail, which has usually shorter leaves, broader in comparison, more inclined to obovate in shape, the lateral nerves closer together and more prominent underneath, but the reticulations on both surfaces much less distinct and, according to the CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND FLORA, NO. 5. 69 description, a 4-merous flower. When fruits are collected other differ- ences will probably be shown. L. sericea (R. Br.) F. v. M. has usuallj^ smaller leaves, smaller pedicellate flowers clustered in the axils, and a pubescent corolla. Order Symplocaceae. Symplocos Bauerleni R. T. Baker in Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. XXVII., 594, PL XXVIII. (1902). Springbrook, alt. 1,000 m. ; W. Rudder, 6/9/1929; (small tree, glossy green leaves, numerous white flowers, very ornamental). Not previously recorded for Queenlsand. -Symplocos cyanocarpa sp. nov. Frutex glaber 1-1-5 m. altus ; ramulis junioribus angularibus. Folia lanceolata, in sicco chartacea, apice longe acuta vel subacuminata, basi in petiolum brevem attenuata, margine leviter recurva undulata dentibus parvis paucis praedita ; costa media supra impressa subtus valde elevata ; nervis lateralibus utrinciue 10-12, subtus distinctis ; i3etiolo 3 mm. longo robusto ; laminis 11-23.5 cm. longis, 2-5-5-5 cm. latis. Inflorescentiae sessilies in fascicules axillares paucifloros dispositae; bracteis exteri- oribus late ovatis glabris vel glabrescentibus, interioribus ovatis pilis fulvis longis obsitis. Flores ignoti. Fructus sessilis atro-cyaneus (Brass) sybcylindricus 2 cm. longus, 5 mm. diam., basi brevissime stipitatus, apicem versus tenuiter pubescens, lobis calycinis pubescentibus coronatus. Mossman River, in rain-forest. No. 2050; (fruiting specimens) ; Feb. 4. (Shrub 3-4 ft. high, leaves paler on the underside, serrulate, margins recurved; ripe fruits dark blue in colour.) Among previously described Australian species most closely allied to 8. Hayesii White and Francis, which differs in having the branchlets clothed with long spreading hairs, the leaves more markedly dentate and obtuse, not narrowed or cuneate at the base. Order Oleaceae. Linociera coriacea sp. nov. Arbor parva, ramulis robustis, glabris, subteretibus. Folia ampla, petiolata coriacea, lanceolata-oblonga, basi obtusa, apice gradatim acuminata ; nervis praecipuis supra impressis subtus elevatis ; lamina 17-30 cm. longa, 5-8 cm. lata; petiolo valido ad 1 cm. longo. Flores in racemes, 2-4 cm. longos, glaberrimos, axillares dispositi ; bracteis ovato- lanceolatis 2 mm. longis; pedicillis gracilibus ad 1 cm. longis. Calyx alte 4-fldus ; lobis anguste ovato-lanceolatis, 4 mm. longis. Petala 4 ovata, '6 mm. longa, alba vel rosea, margine incurva. Stamina 4, 3 mm. longa ; filamento applanato ; anthera magna 2 mm. longa. Ovarium subcpiad- rangulatum ; stigmate subcapitato. Mossman River Gorge, in rain-forest, L. J. Brass, No. 2062 ; (flower- ing specimens); February 4; (small tree; leaves coriaceous, paler on under side; flowers pale pink, pendulous below the branches): L. J. Brass, No. 2125; (type; flowering specimens); Feb. 9; (tall bush or small tree, leaves coriaceous and prominently veined; flowers white). Among previously described Australian species the present one is most nearly related to L. axillaris F. v, M. The differences are as follows : — 70 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAE SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. Leaves 9-13 cm. long, 3-4 cm. broad; apex acute, base cuneate- stamens 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . L. axillaris. Leaves 17-30 cm. long, 5-8 cm. broad; apex acuminate, base obtuse ; stamens 4 . . . . . . . . . . L. coriacea^ I had some difficulty in placing this plant in its correct family, so sent specimens to the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew,, and received a reply from Mr. J. S. L. Gilmour, Assistant Director, to the effect that they had been unable to match the two specimens, and they seemed to be either a new species (rather aberrant) of Linociera (Oleacese) or possibly a new genus allied to this. He further stated,, however, that in the absence of fruit they did not feel prepared to make a definite pronouncement. My best thanks are due to the Kew authorities for the trouble taken. After drawing up the description I feel fairly certain that the plant cannot be separated from Linociera. Order Apocynaceae. Alyxia orophila Domin. in Bibl. Bot. XXII. (Heft. 89®), 1077. (1928). Thornton Peak, alt. 4,000-4,500 ft.; L. J. Brass, No. 2279 (fruit- ing specimens) ; March 14 ; (small stunted tree with thick branches; leaves rigid and curved, the apex hooked, glossy on both sides, paler under- neath, channelled, the margins much recurved, fruit smooth, orange- yellow, simple, or divided into 2< or 3 articles). A rather distinctive form that I had at first placed under the polymorphic A. ruscifolia R. Br., but on further consideration changed to A. orophila Domin, which seems to differ principally from A. ruscifolia R. Br. in having single or few-fiowered axillary, not several to many- flowered terminal inflorescences. The present plant differs from the type in that the young branches are perfectly smooth, not asperulous,. and the veins not at all or scarcely perceptible on the under surface of the leaves. I have refrained from giving it a varietal name in view of the extremely variable character of the more widely distributed A. ruscifolia R. Br., a feature A. orophila Domin will probably be found to share. '^Rauwolfia canescens Linn. Sp. PI. Ed. II. 303. North Rockhampton. Miss 0. M. Court, No. 28; (fruits); May,, 1925. (bushy tree, growing on banks and in dry beds of creeks just outside North Rockhampton.) North Rockhampton, Miss M. Standish; (flowers) ; Feb., 1933. (Recently made its appearance on a property.) I am indebted for the determination of the above plant to Mr. V. S. Summerhayes (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England), and in a letter from the Director (Sir Arthur W. Hill) the plant is described as a native of Tropical America, now a naturalised weed in South India, though there is no evidence to show it has become a bad pest anywhere. Parsonsia lenticellata sp. nov. Suffrutex scandens, ramulis subrobustis, valde lentieellatis,. tomentosis. Folia opposita, glabra subcoriaeea lanceolata vel anguste ovato-lanceolata, supra leviter scaberula, subtus opaca, apice gradatim. angustata, basi obtusa, margine revoluta; petiolo ca. 1 mm. longo; lamina 5-9 cm. longa, 0-5-1-3 cm. lata. Inflorescentiae axillares densiflorae, ca. 1-5 cm. diam. ; pedunculo 5-6 mm. longo ; cymae ramulis secundariis brevissimis tomentosis. Pedicellus 2-3 mm. longus, furugineo-tomentosus. CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND FLORA, NO. 5. 71 Bracteae ca. 1 mm. longae. Calycis lobi lineari-lanceolati, recurvi, extus puberuli 2-5 mm. longi, vix 1 mm. lati. Corolla 5 mm. longa, extus minute puberula, intus fauce deorsum setosa. Antlierae acutae, 2-5 mm. longae; filamentis tenuis 1 mm. longis, intus albo-liirsutis. Pistillum glabrum ; ovario subgloboso ; squamis disci oblongis subcarnosis. Mowbray Eiver, L. J. Brass, No. 2020 (flowering specimens) ; January 27; (small savannah climber). Among previously described Australian species most closely allied to P. lanceolafa E. Br., which differs in having much broader, obtuse, or shortly acuminate leaves, and a smaller inflorescence, with smaller flowers, with straight, not recurved, calyx lobes. , Order Asclepiadace^. Tylophora coloraia sp. nov. Fruticulus volubilis parum ramosus ; partibus junioribus tomentosis ; ramis flexuosis, laxe foliatis, internodiis 4-9 cm. longis. Folia anguste ovata, apice acuta vel subacuminata, basi obtusa, supra glabra, subtus pallidiora glabra, costa media et nervis praecipuis basem versus excepta ; nervis lateralibus ea. 6 in utroque latere ; petiolo 1-1*5 cm. longo ; lamina 5-6 cm. longa, 2-2*5 cm. lata. Cymae axillares effusae, pauciflorae 3-4 cm, longae ramis gracilibus. Flores purpurei ; pedicellis tenuibus ad 1 cm. longis. Calyx parvus, 2*5 mm. diam., lobis ovato-triangularibus, acutis. Corolla purpurea fere ad basem 5-flda ; lobis 4 mm. longis, 1*5 mm. latis, obtusis. Coronae squamae carnosae, antherae quadratae ; appendice hyalina reniformi minute apiculata ; pollinia parva ellipsoidea. Folliculi immaturi fusiformi, 7 cm. longi, 1 cm. lati. Mt. Demi, alt. 2,000 ft., in rain-forest, L. J. Brass, No. 2092 ; (flowers and nearly mature follicles) ; February 6, 1932; (small twining plant, young parts, petioles, main leaf nerves and flowers and fruit purple). Among previously described Australian species nearest to T. harhata E. Br., which possesses smaller leaves, subacute at the base, and smaller flowers usually in simple umbels, and has the corolla lobes slightly hairy inside. Order Loganiace^. Fagraea Bosemstromii sp. nov. Arbor (Eosenstrom) vel frutex subscandens (Brass) ; ramulis robustis. Folia glabra ‘‘carnosa supra nitida subtus pallidiora et opaca’’ (Brass) in sicco coriacea subtus pallidiora sed utrinque opaca, petiolata ; petiolo 2-3 cm. longo ad basin, leviter incrassato et dilatato atque utrinque glandula stipuliformi parva aucto ; lamina late lanceolata, apice acuta vel subrotunda et subacuminata, basi cuneata, 10-15 cm. longa, 5-6 cm. lata ; costa media notata ; nervis lateralibus inconspicuis. Flores ochroleuci vel sulphurei, fragrantes, in apicem ramulorum in cymam collect!. Cymae magnae 2-plo divisae, ramis robustis ; bracteis ovatis coriaceis supra concavis 6-8 mm. longis. Calyx basem versus in pedicellum angus- tatus, cum pedicello 3 cm. longus ; lobis brevis rotundis. Corollae tubus 7-10 cm. longus in parte inferiore cylindraceus, superne ampliatus, rectus ; lobis 5 rotundatis, oblongis, 2-2*5 cm. longis, 1 cm. latis. Genitalia non vel vix exserta ; stigmate 2-lobo, lobis ovatis 3 mm. longis. Mossman Eiver, Gus. Eosenstrom, No. 7 ; (mango-like tree, flowers very fragrant). Mossman Eiver Gorge, in rain-forest, L. J. Brass, No. 2054; (flowering specimens) ; February 5. (A very large, fleshy, almost 72 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. arborescent rambler growing on the river bank ; soft, brown, scaly bark ; leaves thick, fleshy and obscurely nerved, upper surface glossy, lower paler and dull; flowers heavy-scented, corolla pale yellow). F. Bosenstromii is the largest flowered Australian species. Among previously described Australian species it has the greatest affinities with F. Gamhagei Domin, if we recognise that species as distinct from F. Muelleri Benth. Judging from specimens in the Queensland Her- barium, Brisbane, the former is the common lowland species in North- east Australia, the latter the mountain one. Distinctions between the three are as follows : — Flowers few, in a large terminal cyme; corolla tube 7-10 cm. long . . . . . . . . . . . . F. Bosenstromii.. Flowers many, in a short crowded terminal cyme or several cymes, clustered from the one axil . . Leaves 6 to 10 cm. long and 2-5 c.m. broad, corolla tube, 1 to nearly 2 cm. long . . F. Muelleri.. Leaves up to 15-25 cm. long, 7-9 cm. broad, corolla tube, 2-3-5 cm. long . . . . F. CamhageL Order Convolvulace.®. Ipomaea Brassii sp. nov. Herba vel suffrutex glaber ; caules repentes, fistulosi. Folia cordata ovato-cordata, vel late et obtuse hastata ; lamina 5-7 cm. longa, ad basem 5-7 cm. lata; petiolus 4-5 cm. longus. Pedunculi petiolos ^quantes vel superantes, 1-3-flori ; bracteae ovato-lanceolatae, acutissimae, 2 mm. longae. Flores inearnati (?); pedicellus 5 mm. longus; sepala ovato- lanceolata, acutissima 1 cm. longa; corolla 4-5 cm. longa. Capsula globosa ; semina villosa. Northern Territory. — Near Queensland border — Settlement Creek,. L. J. Brass, No. 122 (type; flowering specimens) ; January, 1922. North Queensland : Tolkuru, between Prairie and Hughenden, F. G. A. Kriesel ; (immature seed capsules) ; February, 1935. Received through R. W. Bambrick, Inspector of Stock, Hughenden. Among previously described Australian species has most affinities with I. reptans Poir., which differs in having obtuse sepals, those of I. Brassii being very acute. The leaves of I. reptans Poir. are also usually much narrower. Brass’s specimens were included in the Queensland Herbarium under 7. Muelleri Benth., but this species differs in being a slender twiner, not a creeping plant, in having obtuse, or scarcely acuminate, not very acute, sepals, and in having a smaller corolla. Order SoLANACE.ai;. Anthocercis albicans A. Cunn. in Field’s, New South Wales, p. 335,. tab. 2 (1825). Between Wyberba and Wallangarra, on granite hills, C. T. White, No. 9360 (flowering specimens) ; 13/10/33; (subshrub, 1-5 m., fis, white- with purple lines). Not previously recorded for Queensland. CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND FLORA, NO. 5. 72 Order ScrophulariacE:®. BrowotlUa demissa L. Syst. ed. X. 1118. Armstrong Creek, near Dayboro’ — a weed hard to get rid of; H. F. Mead, August, 1934. A native of South America, commonly cultivated in Queensland gardens, but not previously recorded as naturalised. Order Gesneriace^. CoTonanthera amtraliana sp. nov. Arbor gracilis 13 m. alta (Brass), ramulis junioribus patentim hirsutis. Folia opposita, inaequalia obovato-lanceolata, apice acuta vel subacuminata basi longe cuneata, margine dentata, utrinque leviter scaberula; petiolis dense hirsutis, 0-5-1 cm. longis; laminis 7-18 cm. longis, 2-5-6 cm. latis. Flores axillares pedunculo dense hirsuto 2 cm. longo, plerumque 1-floro vel rarius 3-floro ; bracteis linearibus hirsutis deciduis. Calyx hirsutus alte 5-lobatus, tubo 5 mm. diam., lobis 7 mm. longis. Corolla aurantiaca vel lutea (^'orange-yellow” Brass) tubulosa extus tomentosa, intus juxta basem filamentorum dense piloso ceteris glabra; tubo 1-5 cm. longo, lobis perbrevis 1-5 mm. longis rotundis. Stamina 4, propius ad basem corollae affixa; filamentis validis basem versus pilosis et leviter dilatatis, 2 longioribus 1-2 cm., 2 brevioribus 1 cm. longis. Ovarium tomentosum. Fructus indehiscens ( ? ) , ovoideus, rostratus cum rostro 3-5 cm. longus; seminibus minutis laevibus rubro- brunneis. Mt. Demi, alt. 2,500 ft., in rain-forest; L. J. Brass, No. 2087 (type; flowering specimens); 6th February; (slender tree attaining 40 ft.; young branches, leaves, and inflorescence pubescent, upper surface of leaves rather scabrous; flowers orange-yellow). Mt. Spurgeon, A. L. Merrotsy, No. 27; (fruiting specimens, without date of collection). A very interesting find. The genus was previously only known from New Caledonia. The leaf and floral characters are exactly those of Coronanthera, but the only fruit available to me, and collected by Mr. A. L. Merrotsy, seems indehiscent, and I think, judging from the appearance of the seeds, it is ripe. It has the appearance of being fleshy when fresh, but of this I cannot be sure. If when better known the plant is found to bear definitely fleshy, indehiscent fruit, then it may have to form the basis of a new genus. Fieldia australis A. Cunn. in Field’s New South Wales, 363. (1825). Roberts’ Plateau, Lamington National Park, common at altitude of I, 000 m. and over. C. T. White, No. 6063; (flg. and ftg. specimens) ; 28/5/1929. (Epiphyte on trunks and branches of Nothofagus Moorei (F. V. M.) Maiden; leaves green above, paler, often with a reddish colour, beneath, flowers cream; fruits white, 2-5 x 1-5 cm. when fresh. Springbrook, alt. about 1,000 m. ; C. T. White; (climbing up rock-faces and tree trunks in deep rain-forest gorge, rather rare). Mount Lindesay J. E. Young and C. T. White. First recorded for Queensland by Ferd. von Mueller in the Vic- torian Naturalist, Vol. XII., p. 99 (1896). The record was simply made among a list of exhibits, and the plant was in consequence omitted from F. M. Bailey’s "Queensland Flora.” 74 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. Order Myoporacile. Pholdidia Gilesii (F. v. Muell) Baillon Hist. PI. IX. 421. (1888). Eulo, South-west Queensland, L. Tambling, October, 1930. Not previously recorded for Queensalnd. Mr. Tambling’s specimens agree well with the right figure in Mueller ’s ' ‘ Descriptions and Illustra- tions of the Myoporinous Plants of Australia.” Order Yerbenace^. Oncinocalyx Betchei F. v. Muell. in Wing’s South. Sc. Record, Yol 3, p. 70 (1883). Goondiwindi. Not previously recorded for Queensland. Received from Mr. J. A. H. Fraser, Land Commissioner, Goondi- windi, who writes : — “I am forwarding samples of a shrub which grows to a height of three feet, and carries a white fiower and a lot of seeds with claws. These flowers with seeds hang over like little white bells. The plant grows mostly on stony ground and will not grow in swamps. If one root is left it will shoot. Spraying with pentoxide only kills the top ; the roots are hard to kill. Owing to the number of claw-like seed sheep carry it about in their wool and spread it. These specimens I am forwarding were sent into this office with the request to have them identified. Any informa- tion you can give me on the matter I will gladly pass on to the selector. ’ ’ Order Labiatae. Pi^osianthem alho-hirta sp. nov. Frutex 1*25 m. altus, ramulis robustis albu-hirsutis. Folia petiolata, ovata vel subrhomboidea, utrinque pilis paucis albis longis praedita, supra nervis impressis, subtus nervis valde .'^levatis, lamina dense nigro- punctata margine crenulato-dentata, recurva ; petiolo 1-1-5 mm. longo ; lamina 7-8 mm. longa, 5-6 mm. lata. Flores axillares solitarii, leviter pedieellati, bracteolis linearibus albo-hirsutis 2 mm. longis; pedicello 1-1-5 mm. longo. Calyx manifeste bilabiatus, extus glandulosus albo- hirsutus ; nervis et venis prominulis ; tubo 3 mm. longo, labio superiore 3 mm. longo, 5 mm. lato, labio inferiore 2 mm. longo. Corolla lilacina (^ffiowers lavender” — Brass) pubescens, 1 cm. longa, bilabiata, labio superiore 2-lobato, labio inferiore alte 3-lobato, lobo intermedio longiore. Stamina 4; filamentis glabris; antheris 2-locularibus, 1-75 mm. longis, loculis basi in apiculum minutum productis, connectivo leviter cristato. Pistillum glabrum. Summit of Mount Demi, alt. 3,000 ft., on exposed cliff faces; L. J. Brass, No. 2102 (flowering specimens) ; 6th January; (erect densely foliaged shrub, 4 ft. high, flowers lavender). Among previously described species most closely allied to P. rugosa A. Cunn., of New South Wales, which has much smaller leaves, sessile or nearly so, and smaller flowers; the floral characters are much the same as those of P. deniimlata R. Br., which has linear or lanceolate leaves, and the flowers in terminal racemes. CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND FLORA, NO. 5. Prostanthera linearis R. Br. Prodr. 509. (1810). Mount French, South-east Queensland, E. J, Smith, October, 1933. Only previously recorded in Queensland from Wellington Point (collected by J. Wedd) ; these latter specimens are not typical; they are somewhat fragmentary, but differ markedly from all other Prostan- theras known to me in possessing very long pedicels. Order Amarantaceae. ^Brayulinea densa (Willd.). Small, PI. South East United States, 394. (1903). Gympie, C. T. White, No. 9614 (flowering specimens) 11th Novem- ber, 1933 (Prostrate weed, common on roadsides and earth footpaths). A native of the Southern United States and Mexico. I am indebted to the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (England), for the determination. Trichinium corymhosum Gaud, in Preyc. Voy. Bot. 444 (non Spreng). Yanna, near Charleville, G. D. Hutchinson. Recorded by both Mueller and Bailey for Queensland, but these are the first authentic Queensland specimens I have seen. Order Chenopodiaceae. Bassia stelligera P. v. Muell. Inconogr. Aus. Sals. PI. tab. LXVIII. (1889). Maranoa District: Roma, C. T. White, No. 9546 (nearly ripe fruit) ; 25/10/1933. Noondoo Station, via Dirranbandi; S. L. Everist, No. 762, 14/12/1934 (rather loosely branched subshrub, fairly common as scat- tered plants, but nowhere dominant). Not previously recorded for Queensland. Kochia Georgei Diels in Engl. Jahrb. XXXV. 184. Gregory North District : Elderslie, Winton, J. P. Kennedy, No. 19, 24/9/1934. Only in the mountains. Not previously recorded for Queensland. Determination by S. L. Everist. Order Monimiaceae. Palmeria coriacea sp. nov. Frutex scandens, ramulis subrobustis. Folia opposita, petiolata, glabra, coriacea, saepe rugulosa vel supra leviter bullata, elliptico-lanceo- lata, apice acuminata vel subacuminata ; costa media et nervis praecipuis supra impressis, subtus elevatis; venis et venulis reticulatis supra sub lente prominulis subtus leviter elevatis; petiolo 0-7-1 cm. longo ; lamina 7-11 cm. longa, 2-5-5-5 cm. lata. Paniculae axillares 2-3 cm. longae ; ramulis stellato-pubescentibus. Flores ignoti. Perigonium maturum rubrum irregulariter dehiscens extus glabrum, intus pilis stramineis longis sparsis vestitum. Drupae pisiformae nigrae 6 mm. diam. Thornton Peak, alt. 4,000 ft., L. J. Brass, No. 2282, in low scrub (ripe fruits) ; 14/3/32. (Scandent shrub with wrinkled recurved leaves ; fruit bursting irregularly, the fleshy red pericarp persistent after the black seeds have fallen.) 76 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. Tlie present species was very different from the two previously described Australian ones. Judging from descriptions it seemed to be <ilose to P. Arfakiana Becc. A sheet was forwarded to the British Museum (Natural History), where it was examined by Mr. J. E. Dandy, who reported as follows: — ‘‘The only specimen of Palmeria Arfakiana Becc. at the Museum is Gibbs 5676, collected in the Arfak Mountains. This is not a very good specimen, consisting only of a branch with seven leaves and a few detached flowers. It is not a good match of the Queensland plant (Brass 2282), the leaves in the Arfak specimen being of rather narrower (more oblong) shape with longer acumen, and of somewhat thinner texture. I should be inclined to keep the two plants specifically distinct on the material, but of course I have not seen Beccari’s type of P. Arfakiana.’ ’ Order Lauraceae. J^ndiandra reticidata sip. nov. Arbor 25 m. alta; cortice grisea; partibus novellis furfuraceis, ramulis junioribus angulatis. Folia subcoriacea, elliptica, apice subacuta, basi acuta, in sicco utrinque minute et valde reticulata, 13-17 cm. longa, 4-6 cm. lata; petiolus crassus, furfuraceus. Paniculae terminates vel in axillis super ioribus orientes ; 4-8 cm. longae ; ramulis floribusque dense pubescentibus. Perianthii tubus brevis, late turbinatus; lobi 6, sub- aequales, late ovati. 1-5 mm. lati. Stamina ordinum I. et II. nulla, ordinis III. 3, bilocularia, extrorsa ; filamentis crassis, applanatis, puberulis ; staminodia ordinis IV. nulla ; glandulae 6 glabrae. Ovarium glabrum, ovatum, sub-trigonum. Daintree Eiver, swampy rain forests, L. J. Brass, No. 2244 (flower- ing specimens) ; 7th March; (erect grey-barked tree, 80 ft. high; leaves •coriaceous and rather stiff, flowers white). Among previously described Australian species most closely allied to E. dichrophylla F. v Muell, which differs in possessing differently veined leaves, markedly paler beneath, stronger and less pubescent panicles. Order Hernandiaceae. Valv anther a gen. nov. Flores dimorphi ; abortivi pedicellati vel stipitati ovoidei ; normales sessiles, hermaphroditi. Flores normales: — Involucellus (vel calyx) tubulosus vel cupularis. Corollae tubus brevis ; limbo 6-8 lobato ; lobis inaequalibus. Stamina 6, filamentis brevis, connectivo incrassato, antheris bilocularibus, loculis valva dehiscentibus. Ovarium semi- inferum (uniloculare ?) ; uniovulatum; ovulum pendulum?; stylus columnaris, stigmate 2-lobato, lobis recurvis. Fructus drupaceus, ellipsoideus vel ovoideus ; endocarpio crustaceo ; semen solitarium, exalbuminosum. — Arbor. Folia alterna. Flores panieulatae ; paniculae axillares, ebracteatae. Valvanthera albiflora sp. unica. Frutex debilis (Brass) vel arbor parva ad 15 m. alta (Kajewski), ramulis glabris. Folia petiolata, lanceolata apice acuminata, basi acuta, •carnosula (in sicco papyracea) ; nervis lateralibus utrinque 5-7 subtus CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND FLORA, NO. 5. 77 \ leviter elevatis ; petiolo ca. 1 cm. longo ; lamina 12-18 cm. longa, 4*5-6 cm. lata. Paniculae axillares, pauciflorae, 3-4 cm. longae; ramis (vel pedunculis) tenuis, albo-virentibus ; floribns dimorphis; abortivis parvis pedicellatis, normalibns majoribns sessilibus. Flores normales : involvu- ceilus (vel calyx?) tubulosus 1-1*5 mm. longus; perianthium (vel corolla?) album irregulariter 6-8-lobatum, tnbo brevi, lobis inaequalibus, majoribns ovatis ad 2 mm. latis, in sicco venosis. Stamina 6, blamentis 1 mm. longis, connectivo incrassato, antlieris 2-locularibus, loculis valva dehiscentibus. Ovarium glabruni; stigmatis ramis 2, recurvis. Flores abortivi obovoidei basin versus in stipitem 1 mm. longum angustati. Drupa ellipsoidea, atropurpurea, in sicco 2*5 cm. longa, 1*2 cm. diam. Daintree River, common in rain-forest. S. F. Kajewski, No. 1407 (type : flowering specimens) , 29tii November, 1929 (small tree up to 15 m. liigh; flowers on long stems, buds light pink, petals waxy white). L. J. Brass, No. 2226 (fruiting specimens), 2nd March, 1932 (slender tree, 30 ft. ; leaves pale, fleshy, paler on under side ; fruit fleshy, 1-1^ in. long, reddish-purple). L. J. Brass, No. 2366 (single sheet with one immature fruit), March, 1932 (tail rain-forest shrub). Mossman River Gorge, in rain-forest, L. J. Brass, No. 2124 (flowering specimens), 9th February, 1932 (tall, weak-branched, and sparsely leaved bush; leaves dull green, fleshy, paler on under side, margins narrowly recurved; flowers white ; petioles and peduncles greenish-wRite) . Though the present j)lant is represented by several sheets in both the Kajewski and Brass collections, the flowers are poorly preserved, evidently not lending themselves to good preservation by the ordinary methods of drying, and it is much to be desired that an examination of flowers, either fresh or preserved in formalin or alcohol, be made at a later date. The plant presented difficulties to me as. to its relationships, and I therefore sent specimens to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England, where they were examined by Mr. V. S. Summerhayes and Mr. B. L. Burtt, who came to the conclusion that the plant might belong to the Lauraceae, though they recognised several objections to this. Its principal affinities with the Lauraceae lie in its valvate anthers, a rather unusual dehiscence, though this might, as Hutchinson has pointed out in the Berberidales and Laurales, be due to parallel lines of descent, rather than to definite affinities. After some consideration I have placed the plant in the Hernandiaceae, though when fresh floral material is available this decision may have to be altered. Order ProteacExVE. Hakea verrucosa F. v. Muell. Fragm. Phytogr. Austr., V. 25, 1865. Kupunn, via Dalby, Western Queensland. H. Cannington, 2nd September, 1931. Only previously known from specimens cultivated in Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. The present ones differ from these in the branches being glabrous, in the floral rhachis being shorter and glabreseent, and in the flowers being on longer pedicels. The fruit is not verrucose, but neither are those from the plant as cultivated in the Melbourne Botanic 78 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. Gardens. Specimens of the Queensland plant were forwarded to the National Herbarium, Melbourne, where they were reported on by Mr. P. P. Morris, who wrote : — ‘‘The specimen forwarded agrees fairly close with Hakea verrucosa F. v. MuelL, but your specimen has flowers with longer pedicels. I enclose a specimen from material labelled ‘ex Horto Botanico Melb.’ In Fragm. V., p. 25, Mueller states ‘Capsulis erostribus copiose et prominenter verrucosis majusculis.’ I am of the opinion that he referred to fruiting specimens of H. propinqua, which he had labelled H. verrucosa. “The description by Bentham covers the material which we have from the Botanic Gardens. It is diflicult to know which is. the type specimen, and date of collection is not given.” Order Thymelaeaceae. Pimelea dioica sp. nov. Frutex erectus, 1 m. altus, ramulis foliisque dense sericeo-villosis. Folia alterna, sessilia, lanceolata vel obovato-lanceolata, apice acuta, ca. 1 cm, longa, 2-5-4 mm. lata. Bracteae involucrantes 6, suborbiculares 5-8 mm. latae. Flores masc. numerosi conferti, in capitula terminalia 2-3 cm. diam. dispositi. Flores fern, ignoti. Perianthii tubus 8 mm. longus, dense sericeo-villosus ; lobis late ovatis, 5 mm. longis, 3 mm. latis, extus sericeis intus glabris. Antherae 2 mm. longae, 1-5 mm. latae; filamentis perbrevibus. An erect shrub about 1 m. high, the branches and leaves densely covered with silky hairs. Leaves alternate, sessile, lanceolate or obovate- lanceolate. Apex acute, about 1 cm. long, 2-5-4 mm. broad. Involucral bracts 6, suborbicular 5-8 mm. broad. Male flowers numerous, crowded, in terminal heads 2-3 cm. . in diameter. Female flowers unknown. Perianth tube 8 mm. long, densely clothed with silky hairs, longer in the upper than in the lower portion. Lobes broadly ovate, 5 mm. long, 3 mm. broad, silky outside, glabrous inside. Anthers 2 mm. long, 1-5 mm. broad. Filaments very short, the anthers being sub-sessile. Near Goondiwindi, Darling Downs district, growing profusely on a sandy ridge; W. Dixon (flowering specimens, 23/7/1934). The present species is very closely allied to P. ammocharis F.v.^d.j but may be distinguished by the following characters: — Leaves imbricate or densely crowded ; involu- cral bracts not markedly different from the leaves. Capitula 1 cm. diam., 10-20-flowered. Perianth tube 6 mm. long, lobes 2-5 mm. long . . P. ammocharis Leaves not imbricate nor densely crowded ; involucral bracts different from the leaves orbicu- lar or suborbicular. Capitula 2-3 cm. diam., 30-or more-flowered. Perianth tube 8 mm. long, lobes 5 mm. long . . . . . . . . . . P. dioica Order Loranthaceae. The Loranthaceae of the L. J. Brass collection referred to in the introductory note have been determined by Mr. W. F. Blakely, of the Botanic Gardens, Sydney, the well-known authority on the Australian members of this family. It contained the following previously undeseribed variety and species : — 79 CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND FLORA, NO. 5. Loranthus signatus F. v. Muell. var peiiolata, Blakely, var. nov. Folia oblonga vel obovata, obtusa vel emarginata, margine leviter revoliita, basem versus in petiolum sublongum breviter angustata, supra subnitida subtus opaqua et pallidiora; venis distinctis paucis irregu- laribus. Petala in parte superiore viridia, in parte inferiore rubra. Leaves opposite, oblong to obovate, obtuse or emarginate, the margins slightly revolute, shortly tapering at the base into rather long semi-terete petioles, thin, somewhat glossy above, dull and pale-coloured beneath, the veins distinct, few, and irregular. Flowers somewhat similar to those of the typical form.' Lower half of petals red, upper part green. Mount Molloy, alt. 1,200 ft., parasitic on Casuarina; L. J. Brass, No. 2514 (flowering specimens), 17/4/32. Korthalsella Brassiana Blakely sp. nov. Planta gracilis subrigida glabra articulata, 4-9 cm. alta, omni articulo florescens. Articuli manifeste compress!, angusti-cuneati, uninerves, in sicco, rugosissimi, luteo-brunnei, subcarnosi, 5-10 mm. long!, 1-3 mm. lati. Flores masculi, trimeri; pedicellis gracillimis, ca. 0-5 mm. ; petalis lateralibus gibbosis, supra medium connatis, medio petalo glabro majore ; antheris connatis, ad centrum perianthii aflixa. Flores feminini subsessiles, ovati; petalis triangularibus crassis persis- tentibus ; stigmate nigro, pulviniformi. Fructus ovatus brevipedicel- latus, circ. 2x1 mm. ' semina cordata, compressa, vix 1 mm. longa. Slender sub-rigid glabrous jointed plants 4 to 9 cm. long, flowering at every joint ; the union causes the host to expand into a small depressed globular swelling at the point of attachment, while the parasite does not show any marked enlargement, the only change that takes place is in the terete nature of the first joints, the remainder being markedly compressed, narrow-cuneate, 1-nerved, conspicuously wrinkled when dry, yellowish-brown, sub-carnose, 5 to 10 mm. long, 1 to 3 mm. broad. Flowers, both male and female, surrounded by minute moniliform cilia shorter than the flowers, protruding from the rather broad smooth floral band which encircles every joint ; the female flowers more numerous than the male flowers, especially on old joints, but on young tips there are usually two female and two male flowers, the latter slightly larger than the former, male flowers trimerous, on very slender pedicels, the whole about 0-5 mm. long, and scarcely as broad, lateral petals gibbose, much larger than the smooth central one, united above the centre. Anthers sessile, connate, depressed-globular, attached to the centre of the perianth. Female flowers sub-sessile, usually ovate, with three thick, triangular persistent valvate petals; stigma black, pulviniform, nearly always exposed, scarcely exceeding the petals. Fruit ovate, brevi- pedicellate, about 2x1 mm. ; seeds cordate, compressed, less than 1 mm. long, enclosed in a white reticulate membrane ; endosperm green ; hypocotyl green, terete, the disc acutely conical ; cotyledons not seen. It is readily separated from all other endemic species by its smaller size, linear, uninerved jointed branches, very slender pedicels to the male flowers, and in the very short moniliform cilia at the base of the flowers. ' ‘ Parasitic on the branches of many of the various trees. Thornton Peak, alt. 4,000-4,500 ft.’^ L. J. Brass, No. 2298 (flowering specimens), 14/3/1932. 80 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. Order Euphorbiaceae. Bridelia miimtiflora Hook. f. FI. Brit. Ind. V. 278 (1887). Mossman River, W. Sayer, 1886 (ex Nat. Herb., Melb.) ; Johnstone River, H. G. Ladbrook, No. 142. A species with a wide range through the Malayan and Papuan region, but not previously recorded for Australia. Croton Maideni R. T. Baker in Journ. Proc. Royal Soc., N.S.W.,, XLVIII., 444, tab. XII. Near Roma, J. G. Gumming. Not previously recorded for Queensland. DimorpTiocalyx anstraliensis sp. nov. Prutex, partibus novellis pubescentibus, ramulis junioribus lenticel- latis. Folia glabra, alterna, elliptica vel elliptico-lanceolata, basi obtusa vel subobtusa, apice subacuta (subcarnosa, supra nitida, subtus pallidiora — Brass) in sicco utrinque opaca chartacea supra atro-castanea, subtus multo pallidiora; petiolus 0-5-1-5 cm. longus; lamina 7-11 cm. longa, 3-6 cm. lata ; nervi secundarii ca. 7 in. utroque latere. Inflorescentia racemoso-cymosa, terminalis, strigosa ca. 3 cm. longa ; bracteis ovatis 2 mm. longis, extus strigosis intus glabris. Flores masculi albi, pedicellis 2 mm. longis, strigoso-pubescentibus. Calyx alte 5-lobatus, extus pubescens, intus glaber, lobis elliptico-oblongis. Petala 5 elliptico- oblonga, calyce duplo longiora. Disci glandulae 5, carnosae, magnae. Stamina 8-9, 5 exteriora filamentis liberis, 3-4 interiora filamentis plus vel minus alte connatis. Flores feminei ignoti. Mowbray River, in rain-forest, L. J. Brass, No. 2019 (male flowers,. 23rd January) (very showy large shrub, leaves shining above, paler beneath and rather fleshy in texture ; showy white flowers 1*5 cm. across when expanded). The genus has not previously been recorded for Australia. Though only male flowers are known, there seems no doubt of the plant belonging to Dimorphocalyx, though it has apparently fewer stamens than others previously described. It is highly desirable that female flowers and fruit of this interesting addition to the Australian flora should be obtained. "^Euphorbia prostrata Ait. Hort., Kew 2, 136 (1789). Common about Brisbane on gravelled roads and footpaths, also a common farm and garden weed, C. T. White ; Laidley, C. T. White ; Townsville, a common weed, C. T. White ; Proserpine, Rev. N. Michael ; Fernlees, Central Queensland, J. Garvey; Torrens Creek, C. T. White, No. 8793 (prostrate on sandy soil) ; Rosedale, L. G. Dovey, fairly common in yards and gardens about the township ; May ’s Creek, Gympie, V. Cross, common weed in banana farms ; Cloncurry, J. Legg, suspected of causing deaths of rams imported from New South Wales. A common tropical weed now very common in Queensland. It has probably been established here for some years, but in the past was confused with E. Drnmmondii Boiss. A record by W. F. Blakely in Proc. Linn. Soc., N.S.W., Vol. XLYII., p. xxxi., of E. prostrata Ait. from New South Wales, induced me to examine the Eiiphorhia material in our collections. We also have specimens from Lautoka, Fiji, collected CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND PLORA^ NO. 5. 81 by W. Greenwood, and the plant recorded as a form of E. Drummondii Boiss. by me in these Proceedings, Vol. XXXIV., p. 40, for Papna^ belongs here. Phyllariikus Brassii sp. nov. Frutex glaber ca. 60 cm. altus ; ramulis robiistis angulatis ruguloso- striatis. Folia breviter petiolata, coriacea, lanceolata vel elliptico- lanceolata, utrinque nitida et valde reticulata, margine leviter incrassata et recurva; lamina 4-6*5 cm. longa, 1-5-2-5 cm. lata; petiolo incrassato, 2-3 mm. longo. Flores masc. : axillares fasciculati, pedicellis gracilibus, ca. 1 cm. longis; sepalis 4, oblongo-ovatis 2 mm. longis, 1*25 mm. latis; disco crasso alte 4-lobato ; staminibus 2, filamentis liberis crassis applanatis sub antheros valde dilatatis; loculis antherarum divaricatis longitudiner dehiscentibus. Flores fern. : axillares, pedicellis ca. 1 cm. longis subvalidis apicem versus leviter incrassatis, sepalis perfectis non visis, ovario 3-lobo, stylis 3, alte bilobis, lobis valde recurvis. Thornton Peak, alt. 4,000 ft., in low scrub near the summit, L. J, Brass, No. 2303 (male and female flowers), 14th March (bush, about 2 ft. high, leaves thick and coriaceous, smooth and shining on both sides) . A very distinctive plant, very dissimilar in appearance from previously described Australian species, and without any close affinities with any of them. According to the account of the genus by Pax and Hoffmann in the ‘ ^ Pflanzenf amilien ” (second edition), Vol. 19 c., pp. 60-66, I should place P. Brassii in Section XXV., Eriococcodes, Muell. Arg. Phylkmihus tenellus Roxb., FI. Beng. 69 (1814). P. brishanicus F. M. Bailey, Queens. FI., V. 1418 (1902). This plant, a native of Madagascar, but now' naturalised as a weed in most tropical and subtropical countries, is a very common weed in Queensland, growing in shady places, such as along fences, in bush- houses., &c. It was named provisionally by F. M. Bailey, l.c., as P. brishanicus, though he doubted whether it was really a native. As I was under the impression that it was an alien here, specimens of the type were forwarded to the Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kewq and were examined by Mr. V. S. Summerhayes, wffio reported: — ‘‘The type speci- men of P. brishanicus, F. M. Bailey, agrees perfectly with P. tenellus Roxb., apparently a native of Madagascar, and found as a weed in Mauritius, Seychelles, &c.” Order Orchidaceae. Dendrobium bigibbum Lindl. var. Georgei n. var. Planta robusta ; flores 4*5-5 cm. diam. atro-violacei vel purpurei venis intensius coloratis; labelli discus tuberculorum atro-violaceorum 5-lineis distinctis notatus ; lobo intermedio apiculato. Australia: Dayman Island (?), Torres Strait. Described from cultivated specimen grown by Mr. H. J. Blockings, Brisbane, and named at his request after Mr. J. George, who first found the variety. 82 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. The present variety is distinguished from typical D. higibhum Lindl. by the dark-coloured (not white) calli on the disk of the labellum. The calli are perhaps not quite so prominent as in typical D. higibhum, and on this account appear to be in more definite rows. The end of the labellum in D. higibhum varies from emarginate to minutely apiculate. Probably a hybrid between D. higibhum Lindl. and D. superhiens Reichenb., as in growth it is intermediate between the two, being much more robust than typical D. higibhum or D. higibhum, var. phalaemopsis. The above describes the typical form, though since the description was drawn up I have seen some slight colour variations, principally in the lines of tubercules on the disk being lighter in colour. Dendrohium teretif olium R. Br. car. album, var. nov. Racemi ca. 12 cm. longi ad 15-fiori. Flores magni. Sepala petalaque alba ; mentum albo-cremeum. Labellum in parte superiore candidum, in parte inferiore albo-cremeum et parce purpureo-maculatum. Racemes mostly about 12 cm. long, up to 15-flowered. Flowers large. Sepals and petals pure white, 4 cm. long; mentum very pale cream. Labellum pure white in the upper part, very pale-cream in the lower, and marked with a few purple spots. Column coloured and marked similarly to the labellum. Mount Spec, North Queensland, B. D. Grimes (flowered under cultivation, 6/10/1933). Differs from the typical form in the sepals and petals lacking any purple marking. A very beautiful form, distinctive enough, I think, to bear a varietal name. Eulophia Carrii sp. nov. Herba terrestris aphylla. Rhizoma carnosa 3-3-5 cm. crassa. Scapus robustus cum racemo ca. 50 cm. altus in parte inferiore vaginatus; vaginis ad 6 cm. longis, submembranaceis. Racemus 18 cm. longus. Flores atrovinosi ; bractea membranacea, lineari ovario breviore. Sepala elliptico-lanceolata, acuminata, 2 cm. longa, 1 cm. lata. Petala sepalis miuores, breviter et obtuse acuminata. Labellum cremeum ( ?), rubro-vel purpureo-venosum, petalas fere aequante, trilobum, lobis lateralibus rotundis, lobo intermedio latis ad apicem acuminate, acumine ipso incurvo ; disco 2-carinato, carinis in lineas indistinctas valde pupillosas desinentibus ; calcare brevi. Gynostemium flavo-virens, 1-3 cm. alta ; anthera leviter biloba ; polliniis suborbicularibus. Rhizome horizontal, fleshy, with a fresh ‘‘potato” smell when cut, 3-3-5 cm. thick. Leaves none (?). Flowering scape robust, including the flowering portion 50 cm. or more high, 1-5 cm. thick at the base, sheathed at the base for about 10 cm. with brown submembranous bracts, the bracts themselves up to 6 cm. long. Raceme 18 cm. long. Flowers dark vinous purple or vinous red. Floral bracts membranous, linear, shorter than the ovary. Sepals elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, 2 cm. long, 1 cm. broad. Petals smaller and more shortly and bluntly acuminate. Labellum cream (?) with dark-red veining, almost the same length as the petals, produced behind into a short obtuse spur, 3-lobed, nearly as broad as long, lateral lobes broad, rounded, middle lobe broad with an CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUEENSLAND FLORA, NO. 5. incurved, very shortly acuminate apex; disk with two more or less distinct keels radiating out on the middle lobe into several indistinct lines of crowded, stellate papillae. Column yellowish-green, 1*3 cm. high, the foot slightly stained or streaked with reddish-purple. Anther shallowly 2-lobed at the apex; pollinia suborbicular. Julatten, North Queensland; T. Carr. The present species is easily distinguished from the two previously- described Queensland leafless species of EulopMa by its dark vinous purple flowers. Order Palmae. Bacularia intennedia sp. nov. Palma parva 1-25 m. alta; caudice laevi annulate. Folia petiolata 2-4-juga; petiolo cum rhachide 25-50 cm. longo, petiolo ipso 13-40 cm. longo, basi in vaginam dilatato, vaginis apice bilobis et demun in fila marcescentibus ; segmentis ehartaceis oppositis vel alternis linearibus vel lineari-oblongis in foliis adultis 25-30 cm. longis, segmentis lateralibus in latitudine saepe valde inaequalibus, angustioribus uninervis, 1-1*5 cm. latis latioribus 5-8-plicato-nervosis 2*5-4 cm. latis; apice acutis et valde obliquis, margine superiori integris, margine inferiori apicem versus inciso dentatis; segmentis terminalibus basi confluentibus apice inciso- dentatis oblique truncatis 4*5-6 cm. latis. Spicae erectae densiflorae interfoliaceae ca. 20 cm. longae pedunculatae ; pedunculis in fructu elongatis ad 50 cm. longis; spatha completa subpersistenti. Alabastra juvenilia modo visa, subglobosa. Fructus cylindricus aurantiacus 1*2 cm. longus. Sepala sub fructu rotunda 1.5 mm. diam. ; petala rotunda apice breviter et obtuse acuminata 2*5 mm. diam. Mowbray River, alt. 1,000 ft., in rain-forest; L. J. Brass, No. 1975 (type: very young flower buds and immature fruits), 21st January (a forest floor plant up to 4 ft. high ; lower stem smooth, mottled and ringed with old leaf -scars, a few dead leaf-sheaths persistent below living foliage ; inflorescence axillary, erect, spathes persistent long after opening). Daintree River, in rain-forest; L. J. Brass, No. 2214 (a few ripe fruits), 29th February (slender palm 2-4 ft. high, ripe fruits orange-coloured). Kuranda, C. T. White, No. 1550 (leaves only), 28/2/1922. The genus Bacularia as now understood is represented in Queens- land by six species, which fall naturally into two groups : the minor group, consisting of B. minor F.v.M., and the very closely allied B. microcarya Domin and B. aequisegmentosa Domin, palms characterised by possessing all similar and narrow segments; and the monostacliya group, consisting of B. monostachya F.v.M., B. Palmeriana F. M. Bailey, and the present species. The differences between the various species of Bacularia are rather difficult to follow, and the following key is therefore given, showing the intermediate position of the species here described between B. Palmeriana F. M. Bailey and B. monostachya F.v.M. This group is characterised by possessing either all broad-leaf segments or broad and narrow segments on the same leaf. In the latter case the terminal pair is always very much wider than the lateral ones and markedly incise-dentate at the apex. 84 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND Leaves with only two pairs of comparatively short and broad segments (very rarely a single intermediate segment on one side of the rachis). Petiole 8-15 cm. long . . B.Palmeriana Leaves with 2-4 opposite or alternate segments on either side of the rachis. The intermediate segments and sometimes the lowest pair much narrower than the uppermost. Spikes upright. Petiole 13-40 cm. long, very early quite glabrous .. .. .. ' .. B. intermedia Leaves with 4-12 (usually 5-6) opposite or alternate, very dis- similar segments. Most of the intermediate and lower pairs narrower than the uppermost, but usually at least one pair nearly as wide. Spikes soon curved, at length pendent. Petiole 11-22 cm., stout, furfuraceous . . B. monostachya Order Gramineae. Glyceria Fordeana P.v.Mi. Darling Downs district: Yelarbon. S. L. Everist, No. 917, 19/12/1934 slender grass in shady situations beneath Melaleuca trees. Stems pale, panicle branches spreading. Growing in heavy white clay soil associated with Car ex sp. Not previously recorded for Queensland. I am indebted to Mr. S. T. Blake for kindly comparing the speci- mens collected with type material at the National Herbarium, Melbourne. VoL. XLVII., No. 6. 85 Essential Oils from the Queensland Flora— Part VI. —Eremocitrus glauca. By L. F. Hitchcock, M.Sc., and T. G. H. Jones, D.Sc., A.A.C.I. {Read before the Royal Society of Queensland, 26th August, 1935.) Eremocitrus glauca is a small to medium sized tree abundant in parts of New South Wales and Queensland, stretching' from near the coast at Marmor, in Central Queensland, westwards almost to the South Australian border. Northwards it extends as far as Charters Towers (Queensland) and southwards to the neighbourhood of Dubbo (New South Wales). In its young stages it is a thorny, intricately branched, almost leafless shrub, but this character changes as the tree develops. The adult trees are leafy, the leaves being somewhat leathery in texture, of a greyish-green colour, and mostly 1-1-| inches long ; the small flowers are borne in clusters in the leaf-axils, and the berries are about the size and shape of an average marble. It is mostly known as ‘‘Wild Lime,” or “Wild Kumquat,” sometimes as the “Desert Lime,” though this last is rather a misnomer, as the tree thrives best in country with a rainfall of 23-34 inches. Supplies of leaves with occasional green fruit attached, obtained from Dalby, collected by the Forestry Department, on distillation gave a yield of oil approximately 4 per cent. The odour of the oil was pleasant, but in no way resembling oil of lemon, which is, however, a product from the rind of the latter fruit and not the leaves. The principal constituent of the oil was found to be d-a-pinene 60-70 per cent, with nonylic aldehyde 12 per cent, and sesquiterpene as important minor constituents. Other minor constituents were nonoic acid (free and combined), isovaleric acid (combined), p-cymene, linalol, a trace of phenolic bodies (probably eugenol and another crj^stalline substance), and a trace also of citral. The higher boiling fractions of the oil contained a constituent which readily resinified on heating, thereby rendering isolation of minor constituents difficult. Some evidence w^as obtained of the presence of dipentene in small amounts and of an alcoholic body which occurred along with linalol, probably nonyl alcohol. It was not found possible definitely to characterise these and possibly other minor constituents present in the oil with the supplies available, and as the oil does not appear to possess economic value, it was not considered advisable to obtain further supplies of leaves owing to the relatively high cost of collection. 86 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. Experimentaij. The oil, of which 700 ccs. were available for investigation, was found to possess the following constants — little variation being noticeable in samples of oil from different localities and collected at different periods of the year ; — di5-5 = '8686 [a]„ + 14 n|o 1-4691 Acid number . . . . . . . . 7 Ester value . . . . . . . . 19 Acetyl value (including acid nu,mber and ester value) 50. Aldehyde content (hydroxylamine method) 12 per cent. (expressed as nonylic aldehyde). The oil 600 ccs. was washed with — (а) Dilute NagCOg solution. Nonoic acid (1 c.c.) was recovered and identified (as subse- quently described). (б) 4 per cent. NaOH solution. A trace only of phenolic bodies was recovered. The smell strongly suggested eugenol, but a few crystals were slowly deposited on standing. After washing, the oil was submitted to hydrolysis by refluxing with dilute alcoholic sodium hydroxide solution. From the alkaline liquor after removal of the oil, isovaleric and nonoic acids were obtained, separation being effected by fractional distillation of the ethyl esters. Isovaleric acid was identified by means of its characteristic silver salt (Ag = 51*5 per cent.), and nonoic acid was identified by means of analysis of its silver and barium salts. (Pound Ag = 404 per cent. Ba = 304 per cent.) The amide of the acid prepared in the usual way, melted at 99*5° C. The oil recovered from the hydrolysis was next treated with a solution of sodium sulphite and sodium bicarbonate^ A voluminous deposit of the sulphite compound soon filled the liquid, the separation of which from unchanged oil presented considerable difficulties. The crystals were finally collected on the filter, pressed free as far as possible from liquid impurities and then washed with ether. The crystals, on decomposition in the prescribed manner with sodium hydroxide, gave a liquid possessing the physical constants of nonyl aldehyde. (I15.5 = -8290 = 1-4300 b.p. 195°-197° C. (Pound C. := 75-6 H = 12-5) Oxidation with acetone permanganate gave nonoic acid (identified as recorded above). The semicarbazone prepared in the usual manner had a somewhat low melting point (95° C. in lieu of 100° C.), indicating a somewhat impure nonyl aldehyde, a result in agreement with the recovery of a small amount of unidentified liquid, presumably a ketone, which had not been attacked, from the acetone permanganate oxidation. The sulphite liquor, obtained after removal of the crystalline nonyl aldehyde compound, was washed with ether and carefully decomposed with sodium hydroxide. A very small quantity of liquid separated. ESSENTIAL OILS FROM THE QUEENSLAND FLORA. 87 which possessed the strong smell of citral. Although too small to identify in the usual way, it gave the characteristic colour reaction of citral on treatment with benzidine acetic acid solution^, and there could be little doubt of its identity with citral. It is possible that the occurrence of citral in minute quantities in the oil was due to the presence of a few small immature fruit attached to the leaves used for the original steam distillation, citral being the important constituent of the rind of citrus fruits. The oil, 400 ccs. free from aldehydes, was then fractionally distilled under diminished pressure, the following fractions (with several inter- mediate fractions) being ultimately obtained. It was found impractic- able to push the fractionation of higher fractions too far owing to pronounced loss due to resinification. Fractions (a), (b), and (d) were finally distilled over metallic sodium: — {a) 250 CCS. b.p. 155° C. ^15-5 *865 [a]i) = -j- 27 N|o 1-4658 This fraction, which comprised the bulk of the oil, consisted of d-a-pinene. The nitrosyl chloride melted at 104° C., and on oxidation pinonie acid (melting point of semicarbazone 200° C.) was obtained. No evidence was obtained of the presence of j8-pinene. (5) 15 CCS. b.p. 173°-178° C. *8529 [a]^ + 1 1-4780 This fractionation was stable to Beckmann’s chromic acid mixture in the cold, thus indicating the absence of terpinene. No solid deriva- tives could be prepared — dipentene waa suspected, but the characteristic crystalline tetrabromide could not be obtained and the amount of bromine combining with a portion of the fraction was less than half that theoreti- cally indicated for dipentene. The presence of p-cymene was confirmed by removal of terpene with cold permanganate and oxidation of the recovered oil with hot permanganate in the prescribed manner®, p-hydroxy isopropyl benzoic acid (M.P. 155° C.) being formed. P-cymene apparently comprised the bulk of the fraction, but the authors are of the opinion that some dipentene was present, although definite confirmation was rendered impossible owing to the small amount of the fraction separable in a pure condition from fraction (a). The density of the fraction, which was lower than that either of cymene or pinene, confirmed this view. (c) 15 CCS. b.p. 220-235° C.; 95°-100° C. 5 mms. di5.5 -9121 [a]p = - 13 1-5001. This fraction possessed a pleasant rose-like odour. It gave, however, the usual bromine acetic acid test for sesquiterpene and combustion analysis indicated some ^9-50 per cent, sesquiterpene. 88 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROY.VL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. Extraction with phthalic anhydride in boiling benzene solution gave only a very small quantity of acid phthalate, from which was recovered 1 cc. of alcohol, with the following constants : b.p. 200-210° C. di5-5 *859; [a]:, = 0; = 1-43 The constants suggested a primary aliphatic alcohol and in particular nonyl alcohol, although the density of that alcohol is -940. The alcohol readily reacted with phenyl isocyanate, but the melting point was not recorded owing to accidental loss. The results indicated that the oil contained only very small amounts of primary alcohols. The fraction recovered from the phthalate extraction possessed constants — di5.5 -923; [a]i) = - 10 ; n|o 1*4805 The presence of linalol was indicated by oxidation with chromic acid and testing for citral with benzidine acetic acid solution — positive tests (not shown by the original liquid) being obtained. Pinal attempts to extract the alcohols from the fraction with metallic sodium in dry ether solution gave only about 1 ce. of alcohol, probably linalol, while the recovered liquid still possessed the original pronounced laevo rotation and did not react with phenyl isocyanate. Combustion results still indicated sesquiterpene mixed with oxygenated derivative, but further examination was prevented by absence of sufficient material. (d) 15 CCS. b.p. 110-115° C. (5 mms.). *9236 [aji, + 6 N|o 1-4940 Combustion results indicated sesquiterpene and the bromine acetic acid colour reaction was most pronounced. No solid derivates could be obtained and the sesquiterpene did not appear identical with any known sesquiterpene. The -authors wish to express their thanks to Mr. C. T. White, Government Botanist, and officials of the Forestry Department for their usual courteous assistance. ^ Compare Hibbert and Cannon, J.Am.C. Society, Vol. 6, 1924, page 121. ^ Van Eck. Pharm. Weekbl., 1923, 60, 1204. ^ Gildemeister and Hoffman, Vol. I., p. 284. NOTES ON SOME PASTURE PROBLEMS OF WESTERN QUEENSLAND. 89 VoL. XLVII., No. 7. Notes on Some Pasture Problems of Western Queensland. By S. T. Blake, M.Sc., Walter and Eliza Hall Fellow in Economic Biology, University of Queensland. [Emd before the Royal Society of Queensland, 26th August, 1935.) The grazing lands of Queensland form one of the State’s greatest assets, and on their condition depends to a great extent the prosperity of this country. In many districts, unfortunately, these lands have deteriorated very considerably. The deterioration is brought about either by the more or less complete disappearance of edible plants or by the replacement of palatable species by less palatable species. In the latter type species of Bassia are very prevalent. This genus is widely spread in Queensland, and is represented by numerous species. Many of these assume considerable importance either as fodder plants or as weeds. There follow below some notes on this and some related problems gleaned from a field study in many parts of Queensland during the past two years. Bassia Birchii (galvanised burr or camel burr) has received consider- able publicity of late. Although originally described from the Longreach district, it is now impossible to say where was its original home. At present it is very widely distributed, chiefly on sandy soil or on stock routes. Only very rarely has it been noticed invading black soil paddocks, and then only when these j)addocks have been heavily over- stocked. Quite diverse opinions are' held as to its palatability, but certain it is that in some places, even where there was abundance of good grass nearby, it has been readily eaten by cattle, and has been known to be preferred to green pigweed {Portulaca sp.). But there is no doubt that in denuded pastures it serves a useful purpose as a soil binder and seed protector. An outstanding example of this came under observation in the Springsure district. A paddock which had been rather heavily over- stocked had been invaded by the burr, which soon took complete possession. The paddock was then spelled, and shortly after one of the more useful star grasses, Chloris divaricata, made its appearance and gradually replaced the Bassia. The replacement is not yet complete, but it seems only a matter of a brief time before the burr will have completely disappeared, even with comparatively light stocking. Bassia hicornis (Goathead) is a species frequently confounded with galvanised burr on account of its very white appearance and rather similar habit. It is, however, easily distinguished by the narrow leaves common to most Bassias and the large two-spined ‘Hurr” (fruit). In B. Birchii the leaves are exceptionally broad and flat, and the fruit has five irregular spines, much shorter than in B. hicornis. Goathead is fairly abundant on the so-called ^Hlack soil” downs between Winton and Boulia, particularly near the latter town, where the over-grazed country has been thickly coated with sand deposited by dust storms. 90 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. Bassia longicuspis is a species which is likely to become a very great pest in some districts. So far as observed at present, it is confined to very stony ground. It is much more woody than the jjreceding species, and the fruits have stout rigid spines up to inches long. It is not likely to be eaten except when very young. Near Quilpie, where it is. known as Pinkilla burr, it occurs in boree country, and has spread with alarming rapidity within the last three years ; and it is stated that no horse will pass through badly-infested country. It has also been observed as being very common west of Winton and near Emmet, where it has. apparently but recently arrived. In both these areas it is associated with gidgee. It has been recorded from near Longreach. There seems little doubt that it came from further west and may not be truly indigenous in Queensland. It was first collected in Queensland in 1911, near Longreach. Bassia quinquecuspis (roly-poly) is more noticeable on heavily stocked or definitely over-grazed country. It is an annual, and becomes a nuisance from the fact that the dead plants readily become detached from the ground and are bowled over the ground by the wind until they are piled against fences or become lodged in bore-drains, which soon become blocked up. The species seems almost to be confined to heavy soils, and like most other species is more common in the southern and central parts of the State than in the north. Of the more useful species, B. aiiisamnthoides and B. echmopsUa are characteristic of eaten-out Mitchell grass pastures of the south-west and central-west. Thej^ are nearly always associated with Threllxeldia proceri flora and Atriplex Muelleri (annual salt bush). These Bassias are low-growing rather succulent plants with small short-spined fruits, and are reported to form with the ThrelkeldAa and Atriplex an excellent fattening pasture. As the Bassias and Threlkeldia are almost indistinguishable without examination of the fruits, it is difficult to form any real opinion as to the forage value of the individual species. It is commonly stated that over-stocking is chiefly responsible for pasture deterioration, and in a sense this is completely true. In times of severe drought almost any stocking is over-stocking. Rabbits, marsupials, and emus play a big part in eating out existing forage, but there is another factor — that of seed destruction — which is frequently overlooked, and which is largely responsible for the failure of a pasture to regenerate even under favourable conditions. Galahs play a major part in this seed destruction. Another factor is grain abortion, or failure to set seed. It has been no uncommon experience for the writer to observe apparently full heads of Mitchell grass which, when examined, proved to contain a large proportion of aborted grain. Similar cases, have been observed in other grasses, notably in the genera Aristida, Panicum, and Iseilema (Flinders grass). It is probable that this abnormality is due to the plants having received sufficient rain to induce flowering, but then, owing to extreme heat or lack of further effective rain, the grain did not mature. It should be realised that rainfall averages are frequently very misleading. It is not the total rainfall in any given period that matters, but when and how that rain falls. In no district is it yet known with certainty what is the minimum effective fall — i.e., what is the smallest fall of rain NOTES ON SOME PASTURE PROBLEMS OF WESTERN QUEENSLAND. 91 which will produce a definite positive response in the vegetation. It is, however, quite certain that under certain circumstances rain can do more harm than good. Light showers in winter, for instance, while insufficient to induce new growth, invariably cause Mitchell grass and Flinders grass to ‘ ' blacken. ’ ’ The leaf becomes distinctly dark in colour, crumbles when touched, and is rendered quite unpalatable. The pasture is thus destroyed. Good winter rains, however, promote in many districts the growth of ‘ ‘ herbage, ’ ’ which is considered a better fattening pasture than dry Mitchell grass. Another factor which militates against a good recovery after a dry spell is the practice of allowing stock access to a pasture before what young growth there is has had time to become firmly established. The result is that these plants are destroyed before maturity, and thus there is no seed left to regenerate the pasture. Many of these problems, including that of galvanised burr, could be mitigated, if not completely avoided, by attention to a few points. On any run there are two sources of water supply — ^ ^ temporary water ’ ’ and '^permanent water.” On most runs at least little appears to be done to make the maximum use of the ''temporary water.” It is suggested that if tanks, permanent waterholes, river frontages, and the like were fenced off and stock were forced to water at the temporary holes while these lasted, not only would the temporary water be used to the best advantage but also the pasture about the permanent holes and frontages would be given a chance to recuperate, and when stock had to be removed from the failing temporary water they would come on to really good pasture. Further, if the water were pumped from the permanent sources into troughs there would be no risk of beasts being bogged, the water would be cleaner, and there would be much less chance of the holes silting up. A further aid in keeping a pasture up to standard, or in improving a depleted pasture where artificial sowing is impracticable is suggested as follows : — In each paddock one or more narrow strips might be fenced off at right angles to the direction of the prevailing wind. The strips need not be very long ones, but care should be taken that they are animal- proof. K-wire or netting would be preferable. This strip serves as a natural nursery, the seed being dispersed by the wind. A few such nurseries scattered about the run would be of immense value in keeping up a regular seed supply. In conclusion, the fact must be stressed that conditions vary so much in different districts that it is difficult to generalise on any pasture problem. For the complete elucidation of every problem, it would be necessary to stud}^ each district over a long period of years, and would need the close co-operation of a large number of workers, both resident and travelling, including ecologists, pedologists, meteorologists, entomo- logists, veterinarians, and practical experienced graziers. 92 Vol. XLVII., No. 8. Essential Oils from the Queensland Flora — Part VIII. — The Identity of Melaleucol with Nerolidol. By T. G. H. JoNES^ D.Sc., A.A.C.I., and J. M. Harvey, B.Sc. (Read before the Royal Society of Queensland, 14:th November, 1935.) During the course of their investigation of the essential oils from Australian Melaleucas Smith and Baker^ isolated from the higher frac- tions of Melaleuca Smitlim an alcohol, C15H26O, to which the name mela- leucol was given. This alcohol, from consideration of physical constants, was adjudged to closely resemble nerolidol, a sesquiterpene alcohol already known occurring in neroli oil, the oil from the fresh flowers of the bitter orange (Citrus Bigardia, &c.). The chemistry of nerolidol had not, however, been sufficiently investigated to admit of definite proof of the identity of melaleucol with nerolidol. During the course of an investigation, now in progress, of the oil from a variety of Melaleuca, viridiflora we have isolated the same alcohol in considerable quantity, and have been able to prove the identity of melaleucol with nerolidol. The name - melaleucol is therefore unnecessary. The chemistry of nerolidol is closely connected with that of the isomeric alcohol farnesol, and the constitutions of these alcohols are represented by the following formulae : — CH. CH. OH CH-CH2-CH2 -C = CH- -CH2-CH2- C -CH 1 CH3 nerolidol CH3 CH-CH.-CHg-C = CH- 1 -CH2-CH2-C = CH CH3 farnesol CH3 It was demonstrated by Ruzicka that under the influence of acetic anhydride nerolidol is isomerised to farnesol in a manner analogous to the well-known linalol geraniol change, thereby losing its optical activity. Farnesol may be characterised by oxidation to an aldehyde farnesal and preparation of the semicarbazone. Nerolidol, similarly, may be oxidised by chromic acid to farnesal. We have succeeded in carrying out a similar series of changes with the alcohol ‘ ‘ melaleucol, ’ ’ and have prepared farnesol, farnesal, and farnesal semicarbazone, possessing properties identical with those recorded in the literature for these substances. ESSENTIAL OILS FROM THE QUEENSLAND FLORA. 93 EXPERIMENTAL. The physical constants of melaleucol isolated by us were as follows, those of nerolidol being given for comparison : — melaleucol. nerolidol (from Neroli oil). ^15»5 •8816 •880 1*4795 1.4802 b.p. 110°C (3 mms.) 125 (4.5 mms.) Md + 14 12.48 On treatment with acetic anhydride and isolation of the product the optical rotation was found to be nil. In order to isolate a pure sample of farnesol the oil was hydrolysed to decompose the acetate, and farnesol extracted as its acid phthalate, from which farnesol was isolated by hydrolysis. The following constants were observed : — ^15*5 •8956 Nro 1*4901 [a]D •0 These are in close agreement with those recorded in the literature for farnesol. Oxidation of — (a) Melaleucol 10 grammes (h) The farnesol obtained above, 10 grammes, with chromic acid (4 grammes) in acetic acid solution gave in each case a liquid possessing all the characteristics of an aldehyde. Identity with farnesal was demonstrated by consideration of physical constants [di5.5 *891; 1*4986] and preparation of the semicarbazone M.P. 133° C. ^Smith and Baker, 1913: Eoyal Society of N.S.W., Vol. xlvii., pp. 207-208, R.S. — D. ERRATA. A Review of Queensland Charophyta, by James Groves, completed by G. 0. Allen. These Proceedings Vol. XLIV. (4), 34-59, 1934. Mr. Allen did not have an opportunity of reading the proofs of this paper. The following alterations are necessary; — Contents page — for H. J. Groves read J. Groves; p. 34, 10 lines from bottom — for 14,000 read 15,000 ; p. 36, line 8 — for six read sixty ; p. 38, last line — for fig. 2 read fig. lb ; p. 39, top line — for fig. 3 read fig. Ic; p. 39, line 24 — for fig. 4 read fig. Id; p. 39, line 28 — for fig. 5 read fig. le ; p. 39, line 30 — for fig. 6 read fig. If ; p. 40, last four para- graphs should be arranged as on separate slip ; pp. 40 and 41, key to species 3-18 should be arranged as on separate slip; p. 41, line 10 — for comptonii read Comptonii; p. 41, line 17 — for oligospora read oUgospira; p. 42, line 13 from bottom — for oosporte read oospore; p. 43, line 2 — for Qiueensland, pi. read Queensland PL, for 1, c read l.c. ; p. 43, line 19 — for fig. 7 a-c read fig. 2 a-c ; p. 44, line 12 from bottom — for Coc. read Soc. ; p. 45, line 4 — mucosa should be in italics; p. 46, line 2 — for 1 c read l.c. and for fig. 8 a-e read 3 a-e ; p. 46, line 3 — for Complonii read C omptonii ; p. 47, line 13 from bottom — for 1 c read l.c. ; p. 47, line 15 from bottom — for Microcar pa read microcarpa ; p. 48, line 2 — for Those read Three ; p. 48, line 10 — for Orientalis read orientalis; p. 48, line 12 — for 1 c read l.c. ; p. 48, line 27 — for Furcata read furcata; p. 48, line 2 from bottom — for Myriotricha read myrioiricha ; p. 49, line 1 — for 1 c read l.c. ; p. 49, line 21 — for Diffusa read diffusa; p. 49, line 23 — for 1 c read l.c. ; p. 49, line 2 from bottom — for Cristata read crisiaia; p. 50, line 2 — for 1 c read l.c. ; p. 50, line 8 — between crest and membrane insert a semicolon ; p. 51, line 13 — for 1 c read l.c. ; p. 51, line 19 from bottom — for hookeri read Hookeri; p. 51, line 16 from bottom — for 1 c read l.c. ; p. 52, line 2 — for Ihotzkyi read Lhotzkyi; p. 52, line 21 — for 1 c read l.c. ; p. 52, line 15 from bottom — for septenrionalem read septentrionalem ; p. 53, line 20 — for stuartii read Stuartii; p. 53, line 7 from bottom — for stuartii read Stuartii; p. 55, lines 8 and 9 — for hraumi read Braunii; p. 56, line 9 — for preissii read Freissii; p. 56, line 21 — for preissii read Preissii; p. 57, line 15 from bottom — for Sipulodes read Stipulodes ; p. 57, line 14 from bottom — for Diplostach^. Corticla- cells read Diplostich^. Cortical-cells; p. 58, line 21 — for 1 c read l.c.; p. 59, line 19 from bottom — for Prodomus read Prodromus ; p. 59, lines 11 and 12 from bottom should be transposed ; p. 59, line 7 from bottom — for Act, read Act. ; p. 59, line 2 from bottom — insert inverted commas before Australasian. I ERRATA. 95 (PAGES 40, 41.) KEY TO CERTAIN SPECIES OE NITEKLA. Gymnocephalous (young fruiting heads not enveloped in mucus). Rays at second forking of branchlet usually 2-3 (rarely 4), the rays at each forking usually conspicuously unequal. Apical cells shortly conical Rays at second forking of branchlet 4 or more, the rays at each forking usually about equal. Apical cells long, conical . . GloBOcephalous (young fruiting whorls enveloped in a cloud of mucus). Homoeomorphous (having the fruiting whorls similar to the upper sterile whorls). Branchlets usually 3-times forked . . Heteromorphous. Branchlets of fruiting whorls much shorter than those of the sterile whorls and usually forming definite clusters. Branchlets twice forked, 3-5 rays at each forking; oospore 310-350 /x long, membrane ‘‘thickly dotted with small acute elongated spines ” . . Branchlets usually 3-times forked; fertile whorls often forming small spherical heads. Oospore c. 300 long, membrane finely granulate Dactyls (or some of them) much abbreviated. Uppermost node of branchlets almost always sterile Upper cells of coronula not conspicuously elongated. Oospore membrane reticulate. Oogonia solitary. Dactyls some abbreviated, some elongated Oogonia clustered (2-3). Dactyls usually all abbreviated and divergent Oospore membrane tuberculate, Dactlys some abbreviated, some elongated Upper cells of coronula (or some of them) conspicuously elongated. Oogonia clustered. Dactyls all abbreviated and divergent. Membrane reticulate . . Dactyls all (or mostly) 3-6 celled . . Dioecious. Branchlets many (3-5) times forked. Ultimate cell of dactyl ^ cylindrical at base, acuminate at apex . . Sterile branchlets simple or once or twice forked, fertile 1-3 times forked. Sterile and fertile whorls ^ alike, the fertile, not forming dense heads. Ultimate cells of dactyls conical Sterile and fertile whorls dissimilar, the fertile forming J:: dense heads. Oospore large (300-380 fJi long) with very strong prominent ridges; membrane thick and decorated with tubercles Oospore small (200-270 /x long) ; membrane reticulate; fertile heads in mucus. Fruiting whorls forming small dense very gelatinous heads. Ultimate cells of dactyls /tx cylindrical, obtuse . . Fruiting whorls forming comparatively loose heads. Ultimate cells of dactyls /X tapering, acute Oospore very small (160-180 /x long); five ridges. Mucus not conspicuous . . Monoecious 3. N. phmdoteles. 4. N. pseudo- flaheUat a. 5. N. mucosa. 6. N. leptosoma. 7. N. Comptonu. Bracliydactylce . 8. N. oUgospira. 9. N. miorocarpa. 10. N. oriemtalis. 11. N. fur oat a. PLURICELLULATiE. 12. N. myriotricha. 13. N. diffusa. 14. N. cristata. 15. N. gelatinosa. 16. N. tasmanica. 17. N. polyoephala. 18. N. Hoolceri. ■"i The Royal Society of Queensland. Report of Council for lB34r. To the Members of the Royal Society of Queensland. Your Council has pleasure in submitting its report for the year The first meeting of the year was the fiftieth anniversary of the inauguration of the Society, and a suitable programme was arranged for the occasion. Dr. C. F. Marks and Mr. J. H. Simmonds, who, with Mr. H. Tryon, were the only foundation members still alive, were unanimously elected Honorary Life Members. Eleven original papers were accepted for publication in the Proceedings, and nine of these were actually read at ordinary meetings of the Society. During the year the following lectures were delivered : — Dr. P. W. Whitehouse on '‘Some Geological and Geographical Problems of Central Australia”; Professor L. S. Bagster on “Heavy Water and the New Hydrogen ’ ’ ; Dr. L. G. Miles on ‘ ‘ Some Recent Advances in Plant Genetics and Cytology”; Miss Ursula McConnell on “The Place of Drama and Ritual in Wikmunkan Society ’ ’ ; and Dr. J. Legg on ‘ ‘ Tick Fevers (Piroplasmic Diseases) of Cattle in Queensland.” One evening was devoted to a discussion on the discovery and natural history of Moreton Bay, the leading speakers being Professors Cumbrae Stewart and Richards, and Messrs. J. Simmonds, H. A. Longman, and C. T. White. Your Council takes this opportunity of thanking those who assisted in the above phases of the Society’s work; those who provided the numerous exhibits which were displayed for the interest of members; the University of Queensland for housing the library and providing accommodation for meetings ; and the Assistant Librarian of the University, Miss Mclver, for superintending the lending of periodicals from the Library. The resignation of Mr. L. P. Hitchcock, Honorary Librarian of the Society, was received at the end of the year, and the Council wishes to place on record its appreciation of his services to the Society during his term of office. Again the Council reminds members that the Government subsidy has been withdrawn, and that the whole of the income is from subscrip- tions, and trusts that all members will endeavour during the year to get as many new members as possible, j)articularly from among professional workers who depend for their livelihood on a knowledge of science and scientific methods. It must be stressed that practically the whole of the income is utilised in the publication and distribution of the Proceedings. VI. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. Prof, H. C. Richards and Mr. E. W. Bick represented the Society at the A.N.Z.S. meeting which was held in Melbourne in January, 1935. At this meeting the following five members of the Society were the Presidents of their respective sections : — Prof. R. W. Hawken, Engineer- ing and Architecture; Mr. J. B. Brigden, Economics, Statistics, and Social Science; Dr. J. V. Duhig, Medical Science and National Health; Prof. J. K. Murray, Agriculture and Forestry; and Dr. D. A. Herbert, Botany. The membership roll consists of 3 honorary life members, 6 life members, 4 corresponding members, 179 ordinary members, and 4 associate members. During the year there were 6 resignations, one name was removed from the list under Rule 15, and 23 new members were elected. It is with deep regret that the death is reported of Professor Sir T. W. E. David, F.R.S., and Professor B. D. Steele, F.R.S., both of whom were old and valued members of the Society. There were ten meetings of the Council during the year, the attendance being as follows: — L. S. Bagster, 6; E. W. Bick, 8; W. H. Bryan, 10 ; R. W. Cilento, 0 ; D. A. Herbert, 7 ; L. P. Hitchcock, 9 ; J. S. Just, 9; H. A. Longman, 4; P. A. Perkins, 10; H. C. Richards, 7; R. Veitch, 8 ; J. Vickery, 7 ; C. T. White, 6. In terms of the amendment of Rule 19, Prof. H. C. Richards, Senior Member of the Council, automatically retires, but will be eligible for re-election in 1936. J. S. JUST, President. F. A. PERKINS, Hon. Secretary. THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE FOR YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1934. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. VII. u CC O I— I 4? CO 05 r— I CO CO CO oo ooooooo o t>- CO CO OOOOCOOCd 00 CNJ CO 00 005r— li— iOOO »0 oa lo >— I 00 03 C« O CO O b- O <M eg I— I Q Oh X re) • ^ • GO o (?3 -4-^ QQ . tt) o • ^ . » fH CB O 2 o ® <o <D CJ O CO CO 05 'H O -M tn o O 0? o O cS ci o O o cs g o .5 w J* O l-H pq .eg S C3 •rS ^ o V !=! CC o 03 fl no R lO pq o Q be 03 ^5 a s Ph PH o Ph'iH +-> Cl o ^ r-< oo :r: W g' CQ o ® -P O ft * K W o _ _ ft A O O O rtp ^ o pq • ^ <l> . bc^ S CO c3 riC w o l- >C pq i-i tCrt . 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ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. Abstract op Proceedings, 25th March, 1935. The Animal Meeting of the Society was held in the Geology Department of the University at 8 p.m. on Monday, 25th March. The President, Mr. J. S. Just, occupied the chair, and about forty members and visitors were present. Apologies were received from His Excellency the Governor, Drs. Bradfield, Duhig, and Graham Brown, and Messrs. Gurney, Gipps, Bick, and Morton. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Messrs. R. S. Mitchell, B.Sc.Agr., and T. H. Strong, B.Sc.Agr., for ordinary membership, and Miss L. Archibald for associate membership were proposed by Mr. Perkins and Dr. Herbert. The following were unanimously elected ordinary members of the Society: — Miss Ursula McConnell, M.A., Drs. Clifford Croll, Grahame Brown, and C. Thelander, and Messrs. J. Mann and St. G. Thorn. The Annual Report and Balance-sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected for 1935: — President, Mr. R. Yeitch; Vice-Presidents, Mr. J. S. Just and Professor J. K. Murray; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. E. W. Bick; Hon. Secretary, Mr. P. A. Perkins; Hon. Librarian, Mr. E. A. O’Connor; Hon. Editors, Drs. W. H. Bryan and D. A. Herbert; Members of the Council, Professor L. S. Bagster, Dr. E. 0. Marks, Mr. H. A. Longman, Dr. J. Vickery, and Mr. C. T. White ; Hon. Auditor, Mr. A. Storey. Mr. J. S. Just delivered his Presidential Address entitled ‘‘The Commercial Application on Scientific Research.” A vote of thanks to the retiring President, moved by Mr. Hender- son and Professor Murray, was carried by acclamation. P. A. PERKINS, Hon. Secretary. Abstract of Proceedings, 23rd April, 1935. The Ordinary Monthly Meeting of the Society was held in the Geology Lecture Theatre, on Tuesday, 23rd April, at 8 p.m. The President, Mr. R. Veitch, occupied the chair, and about twenty members and visitors were present. Apologies were received from Drs. Bryan and Grahame Brown, and Mr. Weddell. The minutes of the previous meet- ing were read and confirmed. Messrs. R. S. Mitchell, B.Sc.Agr., and T. H. Strong, B.Sc.Agr., and Miss L. Archibald, B.Sc., were unanimously elected members of the Society. Mr. H. A. Longman exhibited (a) The fossilised vertebra of a large fish, which had been found by Mr. John Struby in a sewerage tunnel at a depth of 30 feet below Davies Park, South Brisbane, at a distance of 40 feet from the shaft. When removed from the matrix, the structure and contours suggested a Teleost of at least 5 feet in length, comparable with a large groper. No definite age was suggested, but the condition of the fossil was similar to that in certain tertiary fishes. ( 6 ) The fossilised femur of a rodent collected by Mr. R. Prost at King’s Creek, Darling Downs. The preservation in almost perfect condition of so small and fragile a bone had surprised Mr. Prost, who had collected many of the large extinct marsupials and reptiles from Diprotodon beds. Mr. P. A. Perkins exhibited living glow-worms collected in a cave at Numinbah on the 21st April, 1935. They were the larvae of a Mycetophilid fly belonging to the genus Arachnocam.pa, and had previously been recorded from Waitomo, New Zealand, and Bundanoon, New South Wales. They were numerous on the roof and walls of the cave, but only those in the darkest corners were glowing. A pair of ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. IX. adults collected on the roof of the cave were also exhibited. They agreed very closely with the description of the New Zealand species Arachnocampa luminosa Sk., differing only in the colour pattern of the thorax. In A, luminosa the thorax is black or very deep brown, with a median yellow stripe, whereas the specimens exhibited had a pale-brown thorax, and no yellow stripe. An examination of a longer series would probably prove that the Numinbah species was A. luminosa. Mr. Longman, in discussing the exhibit, mentioned that he had found similar glow-worms under a ledge at the foot of Mount Lindsay about twelve years ago. Mr. W. T. Robertson read a paper entitled ‘‘The Significance of a pH Putrefactive Grade Test in Bacteriological Water Analysis.” The so-called “pH putrefactive grade test” in water supply bacteriology shows itself superior to the routine lactose bile salt broth test in the detection of members of the Coli-Aerogenes group and other putrefactive bacteria. Test to be strictly one of forty-eight hours’ duration for grading purposes. Waters may be graded according to the absence or presence of the various lactose fermenters per media of an adjusted lactose broth, and a pH reading after forty-eight hours’ incubation at 37° C. Claims put forward in respect to investigations embodying test: — («i) Grading waters as to potability; (5) checking purification effect both in respect to filtration and chlorination; (c) checking potability of raw waters where treatment is being considered. Dr. D. A. Herbert read on behalf of Mr. E. C. Tommerup, M.Sc., a paper entitled ‘ ‘ Some Plant Geological Studies in South-Eastern Queensland.” The paper was an account of the distribution of forest trees and their associations in South-Eastern Queensland, special atten- tion being paid to the infiuence of environmental factors. The geology, soils, and topography of the areas was considered in detail, and recom- mendations for forest management and utilisation suggested. The paper was discussed by the President, Dr. Herbert, and Mr. Gipps. P. A. PERKINS, Hon. Secretary. Abstract of Proceedings, 27th May, 1935. The Ordinary Monthly Meeting of the Society was held in the Geology Lecture Theatre of the University, on Monday, 27th May, 1935, at 8 p.m. The President, Mr. R. Veitch, occupied the chair, and about thirty members and visitors were present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. A. R. Riddle was unanimously elected a member of the Society. The main business of the evening was an address by Dr. M. White entitled “Some Modern Aspects of Nutrition.” The lecturer dealt mainly with those more recent developments in animal nutrition with an economic rather than a purely biological interest. After outlining the events which brought about the present intensive cultivation of types, the theme of feeding for maximum production was discussed. The chief outcome of modern research in nutrition has been the solution of many “deficiency disease” problems which had previously made economic production impossible. X. ABSTRACT OP PROCEEDINGS. These so-called deficiency diseases are marked physiological reactions in the animal when insufficient amounts of certain nutrients are supplied in the diet. Though these deficiencies are chiefly of minerals and vitamins, the problem of special protein deficiency also occurs. A virtual type of deficiency is found in animals which have been so selectively bred for production that the ability to produce exceeds the powers of assimilation. This is common in very well bred dairy cows. So much lime, phosphorus, and protein is voided in the milk that even a high level of concentrate feeding does not prevent the animal from robbing her natural stores to meet the demand. Unless a liberal amount of concentrates is fed and the breeding regulated serious disturbances, resulting in disease, abortion, and possible sterility ensue. Marked lime deficiency in a diet is soon reflected in the second generation. Weak or still-born offspring is common, and in the second or third reproduction abortion supervenes. Ordinary powdered lime- stone, bone-meal, or wood ashes remedies the fault. Phosphate deficiency has a number of manifestations. Inability to fatten, brittle bones, rickets, poor digestion, and, in advanced cases, unnatural craving for bones, wire, tins, &c., are almost invariably ascribable to phosphate deficiency. Almost any phosphate will check these symptoms, but bone-meal is the only one which cures the specific craving for offal. Iron deficiency is uncommon, but anaemia in young pigs is occasion- ally reported. In Queensland this trouble only occurs in ultra-clean sties. Relatively large doses of iron salts are required to restore health, but a trace of copper with the iron reduces the dosage to a fraction of a milligram daily. The discovery of thyroxin — an iodine containing protein degrada- tion product — induced a world-wide application of potassium iodide to livestock problems. It is quite safe to say that the expensive iodide foods advocated were without additional value. Iodine deficiency is very rare. Hairlessness and goitre in pigs are almost too rare to bear mention. The extensive use of sulphur in concentrates has little or no scientific data to recommend it. There is, however, a real need for combined sulphur in protein form. Sulphur containing proteins exert a beneficial effect on wool production. In Australia evidence of this is being obtained from merino sheep studies, and its commercial value is undoubted. The question of vitamins, though of great importance, has been overstressed in most published works. In practice adequate supplies of vitamins are obtained if wholesome sources of the major food groups are used. In young animals deprived of their natural upbringing, vitamin deficiency is the main precursor of ill-health and susceptibility to disease. All green foodstuffs, cereals, roots, and well-stored hay are valuable sources of vitamins, and, in general, wliere these are unobtain- able, starvation problems are more important than vitamin deficiency. In summing up the knowledge of ‘deficiency diseases” it is found that those foodstuffs which contain the widest range of limiting essentials unquestionably are the best. The high lime, phosphate, iron, sulphur, vitamin, and protein content of lucerne, for example, has made Argentina the pre-eminent beef cattle country of the world. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. XI. A vote of thanks, moved by Mr. Hines and supported by Drs. Vickery and Marks, and Messrs. White and Gurney, was carried by acclamation. F. A. PERKINS, Hon. Secretary. Abstract of Proceedings, 24th June, 1935. The Ordinary Monthly Meeting of the Society was held in the Geology Lecture Theatre of the University, on Monday, 24th June, at 8 p.m. The President, Mr. R. Veitch, occupied the chair, and about thirty members and visitors were present. Apologies were received from Dr. Bryan and Messrs. Kemp and Longman. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A paper entitled “A Suggested Co-enzyme Hypothesis for the Ripening of Fruits by Ethylene Gas Treatment,” by L. J. Lynch, B.Sc.Agr., was communicated by Dr. Herbert. From the purely physical aspect the effect of ethylene may be twofold. It hastens the production of the normal ripe colour in such fruits as the banana, pineapple, and tomato, while internally it brings about other changes in texture, flavour, and degree of sweetness or other characteristic of the edibly mature condition. This internal effect, however, is not produced in all ethylenized fruits, and it is a peculiarity of citrus fruits that no internal ripening occurs as a result of commercial gas treatment. Pre-ripe bananas will not ripen in the absence of oxygen, despite the presence of ethylene in appropriate concentration, and the ripening of bananas which have passed the pre-ripe stage is not necessarily accelerated by traces of ethylene. It is deduced that ripening is a respiratory phenomenon, the intensification of which provides energy for an accelera- tion of metabolism, which in turn cuts down the length of the pre-ripen- ing semi-dormant phase of the fruit. It has been shown that ethylene is capable of hastening the ripening of fruits or of certain tissues of the fruit only when those fruits or tissues contain oxidising enzymes, and it would appear that the gas exerts its effect through oxidising enzymes. It is claimed that ethylene plays the role of co-enzyme together with the oxidising enzymes not only in the artificial process, but in the natural ripening of fruits. If this hypothesis is correct, one should be able to predict whether fruits are or are not amenable to artificial gas ripening. Fruits containing oxidases, either as laccases or as peroxidases distributed evenly throughout their tissues, should respond entirely to gas treatment. The paper was discussed by Dr. Vickery, Professor Bagster, Mr. Hines, and Dr. Herbert. The main business of the evening was a lecture entitled ‘ ^ The Origin of the Alphabet,” by Professor Cumbrae Stewart, D.C.L. The introduction of the alphabet into Europe is ascribed by Herodotus to people whom he calls “Phoenicians,” from Tyre in Syria. Without accepting all that he says of the circumstances of the introduc- tion, we may accept his account as true in the main. The similarity of the Greek and Roman alphabets points to a common origin, while the name ' ‘ alphabet ’ ’ adopted by both Greeks and Latins, as well as the names of the letters themselves, are generally accepted as conclusively proving a Semitic origin. The Carthaginians, colonists from Tyre, used letters recognised as Semitic, and the Carthaginians described themselves as “Canaanites, ” XII. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. a mixed race with Semitic culture. The discovery of the Moabite stone in 1868 afforded definite proof of the similarity of the letters used in Moab in 840 b.c. and the European letters. This is seen from a table showing the Greek and Moabite stone alphabets. In 1929, at Ras Shamra, on the coast north of Tyre, clay tablets were found giving indications of similar writing of a date fixed provisionally about 1350 B.C., the writers of which represented themselves as coming from the country between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Akabah. In 1932-3 excavations at Tel el Duweir, about 30 miles from Jerusalem, resulted in the finding of a ewer by Mr. J. L. Starkey, which he dated as about 1280 B.c. On it was writing in the earliest form of Semitic letters, closely resembling the old Hebrew found on Judaean coins of the Second Century A.D. A slide of the inscription was shown. The Semitic origin of the alphabet from this and other indications seems established. But whence came the proto-Semitic script? Various theories have been propounded. In 1906, Flinders Petrie found an inscription at Sarabit, in Sinai, which has raised the question of the origin of the Semitic alphabet. Gardiner, in a paper read before the British Association in 1915, contended that, not later than 1500 b.c., there existed in Sinai on Semitic soil a form of alphabetic writing. Gardiner contended that this writing was modelled on Egyptian heiroglyphics. In the twenty years since Gardiner’s view was published much fresh evidence has been found concerning the south Semitic of Southern Arabia and the Red Sea. This area, known to the Egyptians as the Divine land of Punt, and visited by them as early as 2770 B.C., produced a race capable of inventing an alphabet. Their early civilisation has not yet been examined. The recent discovery of an Indus civilisation, perhaps older than Egj^ptian, may lead to data from which the ultimate origin of the alphabet may be determined. At present all that can be done is to state the discoveries which have established the proto-Semitic alphabet. A vote of thanks, moved by Mr. H. Tryon, was carried by acclamation. P. A. PERKINS, Hon. Secretary. Abstract of Proceedings, 22nd July, 1935. The Ordinary Monthly Meeting of the Society was held in the Geology Lecture Theatre of the University on Monday, 22nd July, at 8 p.m. The President, Mr. R. Veitch, occupied the chair, and about 110 members and visitors were present. Apologies were received from Dr. Plerbert and Mr. Harding Frew. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The main business of the evening was a very interesting lantern lecture on the habits and biology of spiders by Dr. J. Baum. Miss Ursula McConnell, Messrs. Gipps, Sylow, Hines, Nixon, Nebe, and Dr. Turner took part in the discussion which ensued, and a vote of thanks, moved by Messrs. Longman and Barker, was carried by acclamation. F. A. PERKINS, Hon. Secretary. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. XIII. Abstract of Proceedings, 26th August, 1935. The Ordinary Monthly Meeting of the Society was held in the Geology Lecture Theatre of the University, on Monday, 26th August, at 8 p.m. The President, Mr. Veitch, occupied the chair, and about forty members and visitors were present. Apologies were received from Professor Murray, Mr. J. F. Bailey, and Dr. Bryan. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Dr. A. Jefferis Turner, P.R.E.S., read a paper entitled ‘‘New Australian Lepidoptera.’’ This contribution contains the description of twelve new genera and nearly fifty new species belonging to various families, ranging from the Saturmadm to the Cossidce, but more than half the species are Noctuidw. Most of them were collected by Mr. W. B. Barnard, Mr. E. J. Dumigan, Mr. W. W. Proggatt, Mr. G. Lyell, Mr. T. J. Campbell, and several local collectors, Mr. P. J. Dodd of Kuranda, Mr. J. Macqueen of Millmerran, Dr. B. L. Middleton of Murrurundi, and Mr. H. Nicholas of Scone. For the study of our Lepidoptera local collectors such as these will prove most valuable. Even in comparatively well collected localities there have been unexpected discoveries, and in any untouched district a rich harvest of new species will be found by anyone who will look for them. A paper entitled “Contribution to the Queensland Flora,” No. 5,. was read by Mr. C. T. White. Since the publication of the previous contribution (Proc. Roy. Soc. Queensland, Vol. XLI., pp. 139-143, 1929), some important collections of Queensland plants have come into the hands of the author for determination. Outstanding among these is the collection made by Mr. L. J. Brass in North Queensland in the early months of 1932. Mr. Brass’s work was subsidised by the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, U.S.A., and among the material collected and here described from this large collection is an apparently undescribed genus of Hernandiacem, and members of the genera Coronanthera {Gesneracem) (New Caledonia) and Dimorphocalyx {Euphorhiacem) (Malaya), previously unrecorded as Australian. A particularly interesting find was Ostrearia {Hamamelidacece) , of which flowers were previously unknown. New species in the Brass and miscellaneous collections are described in the following genera: — Hibheriim, Garcinia, Pittosporum, Sida, Melicope, Arytera, Mischocarpus, Yigna, C eratopetalum, Backhousia, Bhodomyrtus, Polyscias, Symplocos, Randia, Wendlandia, Lucuma, Linociera, Parsonsia, Tylophora, Fagrmm, Ipomma, Coronanthera, Pros- tanthera, Palmeria, Endiandra, Pimelea, Loranthus, Korthalsella, Dimorphocalyx, Phyllanthus, Dendrohium, Eulophia, Bacidaria. A description of a new Korthalsella (Loranthacece) , by Mr. W. P. Blakely, is included. A paper entitled “Essential Oils from the Queensland Flora,” Part VI., Eremocitrus glauca, by L. P. Hitchcock, M.Sc., and'T. G. H. Jones, D.Sc., was tabled. Eremocitrus glauca, the wild kumquat, is a small to medium-sized tree, abundant in parts of New South Wales and Queensland, the leaves of which on distillation were found to yield 04 per cent, of an oil of pleasant odour, but showing little resemblance to oil of lemon. The oil was found on examination to consist of 60 to 70 per cent, of doc-pinene, with nonyl aldehyde 12 per cent, and sesqui- terpene as important minor constituents. Other substances present in very small amounts were nonoic acid, isovaleric acid, and p-cymene,. XIV. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. linalol, traces of citral, and phenolic bodies. It is not considered that the oil possesses any commercial value in view of its constituents and the relatively high cost of collection. A short paper entitled ''Notes on Some Pasture Problems of Western Queensland,” was read by Mr. S. T. Blake, M.Sc. Among the Queensland species of Bassia there are several weeds and several plants of apparently excellent fodder value. Of the former, B. Birchii (gal- vanised burr or camel burr) is practically confined to stock routes and over-grazed sandy land. It serves a useful purpose as a soil binder and as a lodging place for seed. If such country is rested useful grasses appear and gradually replace the burr. B. longicuspis (Pinkilla burr) favours stony ground. It is associated with boree {Acacia homalaphylla) near Quilpie, and with gidgee {Acacia Cambageana) where seen elsewhere. If allowed to spread it will probably be a far worse pest than B. Birchii. B. bicomis appears to be ecologically equivalent to B. Birchii, but does not appear to spread so rapidly, nor does it grow so thickly. It has a much more restricted range. B. quinquecuspis (roly poly) is a pest in so much that in its old stages it is not eaten and the dead plants block up bore drains and damage fences. Of the more useful species, B. anisacanthoides and B. echinop'sila are characteristic of eaten-out Mitchell grass pastures of the South-West and Central West. They are almost always associated with Atriplex Muelleri (annual salt bush) and Threlkeldia proceriflora. All (or nearly all) species appear to be eaten more or less, at least when very young. Attention is drawn to the fact that seed-eating birds, particu- larly galahs, are very largely responsible for seed destruction, and so limit the chances of pasture regeneration by natural means. It is further pointed out that rain is not necessarily beneficial, and in some cases it is definitelly harmful, causing blackening. It is also shown how a potential pasture may be destroyed by stocking it too soon. A means of water and forage conservation is suggested by fencing off "permanent” water supplies and utilising to the utmost the temporary supplies, while a semi-natural scheme of pasture regeneration by fencing off small plots to act as natural nurseries is also proposed. These papers were discussed by Dr. Herbert and Messrs. Gipps and J ust. The main business of the evening was a very interesting address by Dr. P. G. Holdaway on "Standard Laboratory Colonies of Termites for Testing Timber for Termite Resistance.” In this address, which was illustrated by lantern slides. Dr. Holdaway gave a full account of the difficulties associated with the problem, and how they had been overcome. A vote of thanks moved by Dr. Turner and supported by Messrs. Weddell, Try on, Perkins, and Blake was carried by acclamation. P. A. PERKINS, Hon. Secretary. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. XV. Abstract of Proceedings, 3rd October, 1935. The Ordinary Monthly Meeting of the Society was held in the Geology Lecture Theatre of the University, on Monday, 3rd October, at 8 p.m. Dr. Herbert occupied the chair, and about forty members and visitors were present. Apologies were received from Messrs. Veitch, AVhite, Kemp, Bick, and Blake. The minutes of the previous meeeting Avere read and confirmed. The chairman drew attention to the recent death of Mr. A. G. Jackson, one of the oldest members of the Society and hon. lanternist for many years. A motion expressing sympathy with Mrs. Jackson and family was moved by Messrs. Bailey and Bennett, and carried. Dr. W. H. Bryan exhibited scoriaceous lava and volcanic bombs (including both the bipolar rotational and breadcrust varieties) recently collected from the lip of the crater of the extinct volcano, Mt. Le Brun (Coalstoun Lakes), in the Burnett district. The perfect and as yet unmodified form of the volcano, together Avitli the great amount of relatively unweathered superficial slaggy material still lying upon the surface, show clearly that the volcano was in eruption in geologically recent times. This conclusion is supported by the fact that lava streams have fiowed down the present valleys of Barambah Creek and several of its tributaries. Dr, Marks and Messrs. Bennett and Gipps commented on this exhibit. Mr. W. G. Wells explained some of the characters of the cotton fibres which have to be considered in cotton-breeding, and demonstrated by means of samples of cotton, instruments, and lantern slides, the methods used in studying them. The discussion indicated how not only must the cotton-breeder supply cottons which will yield satisfactorily, but which will also produce fibre suitable for the requirements of the cotton-spinning machinery. Mr. J. S. Just delivered an address entitled ''The New Gaseous Discharge Electric Lamp.” After briefly outlining the early discoveries of electricity, and tracing the progress of electric light from the first example exhibited before the Koyal Society in London about 220 years ago until the present gas-filled filament lamp was developed, Mr. Just showed how these experiments influenced the development of the modern gaseous discharge lamp. He explained that the physicist’s "electron” and "ion” theories had considerably enlarged our knowledge of electricity beyond the application of Faraday’s electromagnetic induc- tion discoveries, and which had previously constituted such a large part of what we knew as electrical engineering. The added knowledge of the atomic nature of electricity, coupled with Stoney’s discovery of the electron, enables a more complete study of electrical discharge in gases. In such discharges the mass of the negatively charged particle (or cathode ray) was calculated to be 1/1850 of the mass of the then lightest known atom, hydrogen. Rutherford further isolated new particles called ' ■ Beta rays, ’ ’ and proved that the speed of these rays was approximately 186,000 miles per second, or the speed of light. The electrical discharges within gaseous-filled tubes take different forms, and are influenced by tlie pressure of gas as well as the distance between the electrodes, being dependent upon the number of gas molecules in the path between the electrodes. / XVI. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. Mr. Just pointed out that during the discharges the electrons and ions of energy, which increased with the potential difference between tlie electrodes, the gas molecules were in collision; and when the speed of the ion was sufficiently increased its collision with the gas molecule was sufficient to transfer kinetic energy to that molecule. At certain critical stages the atom tends to return spontaneously to its normal state and affects the inner structure of the gas molecule, thereby producing luminous energy radiation. When passing a gaseous electric discharge, the fall of potential at or near the cathode is very great, and after referring to the various sections of this discharge, such as the Anode glow, the Faraday Dark Space, the Cathode glow, the Crookes Dark Space and the potential gradient across the various sections, Mr. Just pointed out that only by overcoming the pressure drop at the cathode could low voltage energy be used or an appreciable amount of current be passed. Kesearch work revealed that this drop of potential was due to an accumulation of positive ‘4ons” in the neighbourhood of the cathode, and these are now neutralised by adopting alkali metal electrodes which, under positive “ion” bombardment, freely emit neutralised electrons. These factors made possible the present-day hot cathode gas lamp now being tested out in Queen street and other parts of the metropolitan area. For the commercial lamp the new gases developed during research into the causes of blackening of the filament electric lamp are used and are associated with the metalic salts of sodium and mercury. The overall length of the new luminous tube is approximately six inches, and differs from the gas sign tube, with which all are familiar, by producing a very high light intensity per unit length of tube, when compared with the light intensity of the gas sign. Mr. Just pointed out that the field for which the present lamp was suitable was limited to floodlighting of buildings and highway lighting. For highway purposes the absence of glare was most important, and with the new lamp he thought that this absence of glare was probably due more to the sensitiveness of the eyes to the wavelengths of light given out, when compared with the filament lamp, than to the actual lumens available. Several graphs were displayed as well as an outline of the new gaseous discharge tubes. A vote of thanks moved by Dr. Herbert, supported by Dr. Bryan and Mr. Bennett, was carried by acclamation. F. A. PERKINS, Hon. Secretary. Abstract of Proceedings, 28th October, 1935. The Ordinary Monthly Meeting of the Society was held in the Geology Lecture Theatre of the University, on Monday, 28th October, at 8 p-m. Mr. Veiteh occupied the chair, and about thirty members and visitors were present. Apologies were received from Drs. Vickery, Bagster, and Jones. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Dr. Herbert exhibited the following fungi : — Puccima distinota parasitic on Beilis perennis^ from Red Hill; (2) PuccMa calendulce parasitic on Calendula officinalis, from Brisbane; (3) Fuccinia lolii on ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. XVII. Lolium rigidum, from Brisbane; (4) Sclerotinia sclerofiorum parasitic on cabbage and lettuce, from Gatton; (5) TJromycladium alpinum parasitic on Acacia decora, from Gayndah; (6) Melanopsichiura austro- americanum parasitic on Polygommi hydropiper, from South Pine River. He also exhibited a prickly-pear inoculated with Sclerotinia sderotiorum, and specimens of lucerne from Gatton suffering from the recently described virus disease, witches’ broom. Messrs. Biek and White commented on this exhibit. A paper by Dr. T. G. H. Jones and Mr. F. N. Lahey, entitled ^‘Essential Oils from the Queensland Flora,” Part VII., Melaleuca pubescens, was laid on the table. Melaleuca piobescens is a very common tree in the brigalow scrubs of South-East Queensland. The essential oil of leaves collected from the Inglewood district was found to conform to the usual pinene cineol type (cineol 50 per cent. Cocking ’s method). Terpineol and sesquiterpene were also present as minor constituents. The main business of the evening was an address on ‘‘Wool as a Textile Fibre,” by Mr. J. J. Broe, B.Sc. Three properties of wool, readily perceptible to the user and not possessed by other textiles are — (a) Its elasticity; ( h ) Its warmth ; (c) Its capacity for absorption of moisture. It was set out to offer some scientific basis for these properties in terms of the structure and nature of the wool fibre itself. Each property was first briefly enlarged upon. That wool is elastic is shown by the fact that a wool fibre, under the most suitable conditions, may be stretched by 100 per cent, of its length, and that if the tension be rapidly removed it will return to its former length having suffered no permanent strain. Silk and cotton fibres may be stretched by only 2 per cent, without undergoing permanent strain. Moreover, the extent to which wool fibre stretched and the extent to which it recovers — each factor of equal importance — are both largely affected by the conditions of heat, moisture, and time of stretching to which it is subjected. The warmth of wool is obvious to all. It possesses this property for these reasons — 1. It is the only textile which can be felted, that is, whose fibres may be made readily to adhere to one another to form a compact mass- 2. Under equal conditons, this felted product diminishes the passage of air as much as 65 per cent, and thus promotes heat insulation. 3. An adherent beard of loose fibres on each side encloses air, which acts an an efficient insulator. 4. Wool substance in itself is a very poor conductor of heat compared with other textile fibres. Wool absorbs moisture partly chemically — particularly when bone dry — and partly physically, due to a large surface effect within the fibre. A pound of wool fibre liberates on complete wetting sufficient heat to raise the temperature of one pound of water 43 deg. Fahr. Moreover, at high relative humidities the proportion of water absorbed by wool is relatively much higher than in the case of other textiles. XVIII. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. All outline account of the manufacture of a woollen article from: raw wool was given. Some wool articles are made with warmth and maximum durability as the desired result. Such are made from short wool and are deliberately felted, such as flannels, velours, blankets, and billiard cloths. Beauty of weave and colour design are more or less impossible as such effects would be lost in the shrinking felting process. Articles to show such effects, varying from worsteds, serges,, fine woollens, to carpets, are made from long wool fibres and the whole process aimed at a very minimum of felting. Subsequent shrinking, due to washing, friction, and mechanical twisting of fibres is miniature felting. Then by means of slides there was shown the detailed structure of the wool fibre as revealed by the microscope. It consists of a multitude of spindle-shaped cortical cells, 2J0 i^^ch long, surrounded by a thin sheath of membranous elasticum, the whole enclosed in an outer series of imbricated scales fixed at the base and free at the distal end in the manner of the scales on a bamboo shoot, but much more numerous — up to 5,000 per inch in fine wools. The presence of these scales was early seized on as a reason for felting, it being due, so it was said, to scalar interlocking and consequent uni-directional motion of the fibres, when the mechanical milling began- This is now known to be only partly the reason, and the cause is more to be sought in a definite plasticity, which ensues when wool fibre swells in slightly alkaline solutions. The lectur(? concluded with a number of slides showing the finer structure of the wool fibre as revealed by the new process of X-ray aiialysis. Photographs by this method revealed all textile fibres to be constructed of micelles or crystallites. Each individual cortical cell is composed of a multitude of minute elongated crystals, running longi- tudinally. Each crystal, fibrilla, or micelle is in turn composed of a number of individual molecules of wool fibre substance regularly arranged, the regular arrangement leading to the definite structure as revealed by the X-ray photographs. The micelles are of the order of TooFooofi'' of i^^ch in thickness, but relatively longer, the dimensions of the molecular chains themselves being considerably smaller. Silk and cotton fibres are somewhat similarly constituted except that the latter are of carbohydrate constitution. In both silk and cotton the molecular chains are already fully extended, as revealed by the fact that the theoretical distance apart of certain atoms in the polypeptide chain of silk substance agrees with the length of the repeat of the crystalline structure as found by mathematical analysis of the X-ray fibre photographs. The wool fibre molecules are, however, folded in wave-like structure, as revealed by the same evidence. The polypeptide chain comprising wool fibre is identical with that composing silk, whereas the side chains differ greatly. If tension be now applied, the folded polypeptide chain of wool is drawn out till it ultimately resembles, as far as atomic spacings are concerned, the silk fibre chain. This is shown by the fact that stretched wool, and silk either stretched or normal, reveal the same type of fibre photograph, whereas that from unstretched wool fibre is quite different. Moisture aids the stretching by acting in a two-fold capacity, firstly by lubricating, and secondly by penetrating the micelles and by means of hydrolysis liberating chemical unions existing between neighbouring molecular chains. ABSTRACT OP PROCEEDINGS. XIX. Wool fibre once stretched may return to its original conditions or may remain permanently set, according to the treatment it suffers in the stretched condition. If the tension be rapidly removed it returns to its normal condition. If it be steam-heated in the stretched condition, new linkages form across between the molecular chains at new points and complete return to former length becomes impossible. Wet wool fibres give substantially the same X-ray photograph as dry fibres, in spite of a possible 33 per cent, moisture content. This shows that chemical union of water with the wool substance is largely prevented or the dimensions of the crystallites must be considerably altered by the entry of so much foreign substance. The water must therefore be present on the enormous micellar surface presented. This internal surface amounts to 1,000,000 sq. cms. per gram of wool so that the absorption of a large proportion of water is quite to be expected. Some water enters the micelles and reacts chemically as stated above, probably accounting for the large heat of wetting of bone dry wool. A vote of thanks moved by Mr. Bennett and supported by Messrs. Hines and Wells was carried by acclamation. F. A. PERKINS, Hon. Secretary Abstract of Proceedings, 25th November, 1935. The Ordinary Monthly Meeting of the Society was held in the Geology Lecture Hall of the University, on Monday, 25th November, at 8 p.m. The President, Mr. Veitch, occupied the chair, and about forty-five members and visitors were present. Apologies were received from Prof. Murray, Dr. Bradfield, and Mr. C. T. White. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following were proposed for ordinary membership : — Prof. P. E. Helmore, by Messrs. Perkins and Hines; Mr. J. J. Broe, by Mr. Perkins and Prof. Bagster; and Mr. W. L. Haenke, by Dr. T. G. H. Jones and Prof. Bagster. Exhibits were tabled by Mr. Riddle, Prof. Bagster, Mr. C. T. White, Mr. Weddell, Dr. Jones, and Mr. Longman. Prof. Bagster, Drs. Herbert and Robertson, and Messrs. Veitch, Perkins, and Bennett discussed the exhibits. A paper entitled “Essential Oils from the Queensland Flora, Part VIII. — The Identity of Melaleucol with Nerolidol,’’ by Dr. T. G. H. Jones and Mr. J. M. Harvey, was laid on the table. F. A. PERKINS, Hon. Secretary. XX PUBLICATIONS REC.EIVED. Publications have been received from the following Institutions* Societies, etc.» and are hereby gratefully acknowledged: — Algeria — Societe de Geographie et d ’Archaeologie d ’Oran. Argentine — Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Australia — Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics, Canberra. Department of Agriculture, Melbourne. Department of Mines, Melbourne. Eoyal Society of Victoria. Field Naturalists’ Club, Melbourne. Council for Scientific and Industrial Eesearch, Melbourne. Department of Mines, Adelaide. Waite Agricultural Eesearch Institute, Glen Osmond. Eoyal Society of South Australia. Eoyal Geographical Society of Aus- tralasia, Adelaide. Public Library, Museum, and Art Gallery, Adelaide. University of Adelaide. Standards Association of Australia, Sydney. Naturalists’ Society of New South Wales. Department of Agriculture, Sydney. Department of Mines, Sydney. Eoyal Society of New South Wales. Linnean Society of New South Wales. Australian Museum-, Sydney. Public Library, Sydney. University of Sydney. Botanic Gardens, Sydney. Australian Veterinary Society, Sydney. Queensland Naturalists ’ Club, Brisbane. Department of Mines, Brisbane. Queensland Museum, Brisbane. Department of Agriculture, Brisbane. Eegistrar-General ’s Department, Bris- bane. Eoyal Geographical Society of Aus- tralasia (Queensland), Brisbane. Field Naturalists’ Club, Hobart. Eoyal Society of Tasmania. Mines Department, Hobart. Mines Department, Perth. Eoyal Society of Western Australia. Austria — Naturhistorische Museum, Vienna. Belgium — Academie Eoyale de Belgique. Societe Eoyale de Botanique de BeL gique. Societe Eoyale Zoologique de Bel- gique. Brazil — Institute Oswaldo Cruz, Eio de Janeiro.. Ministerio de Agricultura Industria y Commercio, Eio de Janeiro. British Isles — Eoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew. British Museum (Natural History), London. Cambridge Philosophical Society. Literary and Philosophical Society,, Manchester. Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society. Eoyal Society, London. Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland, Manchester. Eoyal Empire Society, London. The Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Imperial Bureau of Entomology, London. Imperial Agricultural Bureau, Aberyst- wyth. Eoyal Society of Edinburgh. Botanical Society of Edinburgh. Eoyal Dublin Society. Eoyal Irish Academy, Dublin. Canada — Department of Mines, Ottawa. Eoyal Astronomical Society of Canada.. Eoyal Society of Canada. Eoyal Canadian Institute. Nova Scotian Institute of Science. Department of Agriculture, Ottawa. Ceylon — Colombo Museum. China — Sinensia, Nankin University, China. Cuba — ■ Sociedad Geografica de Cuba, Habana. Denmark — The University, Copenhagen. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. XXI. France — Station Zoologique de Cette. Societe des Sciences Naturelles de FOuest. Museum d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris. Societe Botanique de France.' Societe Geologique et Mineralogique de Bretagne. Societe de Geographie de Eochefort. Germany — Zoologisches Museum^ Berlin. Gesellschaft fur Erdkimde, Berlin. Deutsche Geologisclie Gesellschaft, B'erlin. Naturhistorischer Verein der preus Eheinland und Westfalens, Bonn. Naturwissenschaitlicher Verein zu Bremen. Senckenbergische Bibliothek, Frank- furt a. Main. Kaiserlich Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher, Halle. Zoologisches Museum, Hamburg. IS aturhistorisch-Medizinischer Vereins, Heidelberg. Akademie der Wissenschaften, Leipzig, Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaf- ten, Munich. Centralblatt fur Bakteriologie. Hawaii — Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Honolulu. Holland — Technische Hoogeschool, Delft. Italy — Institute di Bologna. Societa Toscana di Scienze Naturali, Pisa. Societa Africana dHtalia, Naples. Museo Civico, Genova. India — Geological Survey of India. Agricultural Eesearch Institute, Pusa. Japan — Berichte der Ohara Institut, Kurashiki, J apan. Imperial University, Kyoto. Imperial University, Tokyo. National Eesearch Council of Japan, Tokyo. Java — Koninklijk Naturkundige Vereeniging, Weltevreden. Departement van Landbouw, Buitenzorg. Mekico — Institute Geologico de Mexico. Soeiedad Cientifica ‘ ‘ Antonio Alzate, ’ ' Mexico. Secretario de Agriculture y Fomento, Mexico. Obscrvatorio Meterorologico Central, Tacaibaya. New Zealand — Dominion Museum, Wellington. New Zealand Institute, Wellington. Auckland Institute and Museum. Dominion Laboratory, Wellington. Council for Scientific and Industrial Eesearch, Wellington. Geological Survey of New Zealand. Peru — Soeiedad Geologiea del Peru, Lima. Philippines — Bureau of Science, Manila. Poland — Polskie Towarzystwo Przyrodnikow ini Kopernika, Lwow. University of Poland. Societes Savantes Polonaises. Portugal — Academia Polytechnicada, Oporto. Sociedade Broteriana, Coimbra. Institut Botanico, Coimbra. Eussia — Academie des Sciences Eussie, Lenin- grad. Bureau of Applied Entomology, Lenin- grad. Publications of the Institute of Plant Industry, Leningrad. Spain — Eeal Academia de Ciencias y Artes de Barcelona. Eeal Academia de Ciencias, Madrid. Museo de Historia Natural, Valencia. Academia de Ciencias de Zarogoza. Sweden — Geological Institute of Upsala. Switzerland — Societe de Physique et d’Histoire Naturelle, Geneve. Naturforschende Gesellschaft, Zurich. The League of Nations, Geneva. South Africa — Geological Society of South Africa, J ohannesburg. South African Museum, Capetown. Durban Museum, Natal. Transvaal Museum, Pretoria. XXII. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. United States of America — United States Geological Survey, W ashington. 'Natural History Survey, Illinois. Lloyd Library, Cincinnati. Wisconsin Academy of Arts, Science, and Letters, Madison. California Academy of Sciences. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. University of Minnesota. University of Calif orna. Library of Congress, Washington. rield Museum of Natural History, Chicago. American Museum of Natural History, New York. Buffalo Society of Natural History. Boston Society of Natural History. American Philosophical Society, Phila- delphia. American Geographical Society, New York. Smithsonian Institute, Washington. Carnegie Institute, Washington. United States Department of Agricul- ture, Washington. Oberlin College, Ohio. National Academy of Science, Wash- ington. Rochester Academy of Sciences. Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila- delphia. New York Academy of Science. Indiana Academy of Science. American Academy of Science and Arts, Boston Institute of Biological Research, Balti- more. John Crerar Library, Chicago. Ohio Academy of Science, Columbus. Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plains. Michigan Academy of Arts, Science, and Letters. University of Michigan. Minnesota Geological Survey. New York Zoological Society. Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Philadelphia. Portland Society of Natural History. San Diego Society of Natural History. Puget Sound Biological Station, Seattle. Missouri Botanic Gardens, St. Louis. University of Illinois, Urbana. State College of W^ashington, Pull- man. Bureau of Standards, Washington. National Research Council, Washing- ton. United States National Museum, Wash- ington. Public Health Service, Washington. Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale. Lawde Observatory, Arizona. The University of California, Los Angeles, California. LIST OF MEMBERS. XXIII. List of Members. Honorary Life Members. Marks, Hon. Dr. C. F., M.D. . . 101 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. Simmonds, J. H., senr. . . . . Hillsdon Eoad, Taringa, Brisbane. ♦Tryon, H. . . . . • . • • Gladstone Eoad, Highgate Hill, Brisbane. Life Members. Bagster, L. S., Prof., D.Sc. . . *Bailey, J. F. . . Hulsen, E. Jensen, H. I., D.Sc. Eiddell, E. M. . . Tilling, H. W., M.E.S.C. (Eng.), L.E.C.T. (Lond.) Walkom, A. B., D.Sc. . . The University, Brisbane. Maynard Street, Woolloongabba, South BTisbaiie. Valley Corner, Brisbane. Attewell Street, Nundah. Department of Public Instruction, Bris- bane. Nairobi, Kenya, Africa. Science House, 159 Gloucester Street, Sydney. Barton, E. C., A.M.I.C.E. *Domin, Dr. K. . . *Maitland, A. Gibb, F.G.S. *Skeats, Prof. E. W., D.Sc. Corresponding Members. Care of Decimal Association, Finsbury Pavement, Moorgate, London, E.C.2. . . . . Czech University, Prague. Melville Place, South Perth. The University, Melbourne, Victoria. Ordinary Members. Atherton, D. O., B.Sc.Agr. Bage, Miss F., M.Sc. . . Ball, L. C., B.E. Barker, F. Barker, G. H . . Beckman, G. H., B.Sc. *Bennett, F., B.Sc. Bennett, F. C., B.Sc., B.App.Sc. . . Bick, E. W *Blake, S. T., M.Sc *Blumberg, B., M.Sc. Bostock, J., M.D., B.S., D.P.M., M.E.C.S., L.E.C.P. Bradfield, J. J. C., D.Sc. (Eng.,), M.E. Brigden, J. B., M.A. . . Briggs, Mrs. C. Brimblecombe, A. E. . . Brown, Graham, M.E.C.S., L.E.C.P., F.E.A.C.S'. Brown, Jas., B.A., M.D., Ch.B. (Edin.), D.Ph. (Cambridge) *Bryan, W. H., M.C., D.Sc Bryan, W. W., B.Sc.Agr. Bosworth, F. O., B.A. . . Department of Agriculture and Stock, Atherton. Women ^s College, Kangaroo Point, Bris- bane. Geological Survey Office, Brisbane Eailway Audit Office, Brisbane. Adelai'ie Street, Brisbane. Crook Street, Northgate, Brisbane. 113 Annie Street, Toowong. ^ Sirius Street, Coorparoo, Brisbane. Botanic Gardens, Brisbane. The University, Brisbane. Inkerman Street, South Brisbane. Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. Bureau of Industry, 4QG Building, Brisbane, Department of Labour and Industry, Brisbane. First Avenue, Eagle Junction, Brisbane. Department of Agriculture and Stock, Brisbane. 371 Queen Street, Brisbane. Widmoorenej” Margaret Street, Too- woomba The University, Brisbane. Agricultural High School and College, Gatton. Agricultural High School and College, Gatton. ^'Members wlio have contributed papers to the Society. XXIV. LIST OF MEMBERS. Buzaeott, J. H., B.Sc. Caldwell, N. E. H., B.Sc.Agr. Cameron, Colonel Sir Donald, C.M.G., D.S.O. Carson-Cooling, Geo., M.Sc. . . Cayzer, A., B.Sc. Chamberlain, W. J., M.Sc. Cilento, Sir E. W., M.D., B.S. Cottrell-Dormer, W., B.Sc.Agr. Cribb, H. G., B.Sc. ) Croll, Gifford, M.B. Cumbrae-Stewart, Professor F. W. S., D.C.L., K.C. *Denmead, A. K., M.Sc. Dixon, G. P., C.B.E., M.B., Oi.M. . . *Dodd, Alan P. . . Donaldson, E. J. Duncan, Miss E., B.Sc. *Duhig, J. V., M.B Evans, C. K., M.Sc. . . Fisher, N., B.Sc. Ford, F. Campbell Forteseue, L. . . Fraser, C. S. Fraser, K., B.Sc. ^Francis, W. D. Frew, A. E. Harding, D.E. . . Gaffney, T. . . . . s. . Gibson, J. Lockhart, M.D. *Gillies, C. D., M.B., B.S., M.Sc. Gipps, F. *Goddard, Prof. E. J., B.A., D.Sc. . . Goldfinch, H. A., D.D.S. Graff, E., M.B., B.S Grant, D. J., B.Sc. . . . . . i *Grey, Mrs. B. B., F.L.S. *Gurney, E. H Hall, G., B.Sc *Hamlyn-Harris, E., D.Sc. Hamon, W. P., B.Sc.Agr. Hardie, Sir David, M.D., M.S. *Hardy, G. H Harris, V. E. G., B'.Sc. Sugar Experiment Station, Meringa, via Gordonvale. Department of Agriculture and Stock, Nambour. Cooksley Street, Hamilton, Brisbane. Bovs ’ Grammar School, Brisbane. The University, Brisbane. Water Supply and Sewerage Department, Brisbane City Council. Department of Health, Brisbane. Fairymead Sugar Plantations Ltd., Bundaberg. Geological Survey Office, Brisbane. Sherwood, Brisbane. The University, Brisbane. Geological Survey, Edward Street, Bris- bane. Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. Prickly-pear Laboratory, Sherwood, Bris- bane. care of Gibbs, Bright, and Co., Queen Street, Brisbane. Girls’ Grammar School, Brisbane. Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. Ipswich Technical College, Ipswich. Government Geologist, Wau, New Guinea. ^‘Stanford,” Kennedy Terrace, Eed Hill, Brisbane. New Zealand Chambers, 334 Queen Street, Brisbane. 229 Edward Street, Brisbane. St. John’s College, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane. Botanic Gardens, Brisbane. T. and G. Buildings, Queen Street, Bris- bane. Engineer in Charge, Pumping Station, Pinkenba. Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. Eidge Street, Nerthgate. 8 Miles Street, Wooloowin. The University, Brisbane. 414 Sandgate Eoad, Albion. 487 Sandgate Eoad, Brisbane. Church Street, Indooroopilly. care of Chartered Bank of Australia, India, and China, Singapore, S’.S. Department of Agriculture and Stock, Brisbane. Mount Isa Mines Ltd., Mount Isa, N.Q. The University, Brisbane. ‘ ‘ Clifton, ’ ’ Ubobo, via Gladstone. ‘ ‘ Blythsdale, ” Hamilton, Brisbane. Prickly-pear Station, Goondiwindi. The Southport School, Southport. ^Members who have contributed papers to the Society. LIST OF MEMBERS. XXV. *Hawken, Professor R. W., B.A., M.E., M.Inst.C.E. *Henderson, J. B., F.I.C. *Herbert, B. A., D.Sc. Herdsman, L. P. ♦Hill, Miss D., M.Sc., Ph.D, . . ♦Hines, H. J., B'.Sc. Holdsworth, Miss N. M., B.Se, ♦Hitchcock, L. F., M.Sc. Hirschfeld, E., M.B. . . Hirschfeld, O. S., M.B. Hossfeld, P, S., M.Sc. Jack, Thos. Jones, Inigo ♦Jones, Owen, M.Sc. ♦Jones, T. G. H., D.Sc., A.A.C.I. Jorgensen, G. H. Just, J. S. Kemp, J. R. Knight, C. L., B.Se. . . Kyle, W. M., M.A. ♦Lambert, C. A. . . ♦Legg, J., D.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S. L ’Estrange, W. M. Lewcock, H. K., M.Sc. ♦Longman, H. A., F.L.S., C.M.Z.S. Lowson, Professor J. P., M.A., M.D. Lydon, R. J. Lynch, A. J., M.B., Ch.M. ♦Lynch, L. J., B.Sc.Agr. ♦Mackerras, Mrs. Ian, M.B. . . Mandelson, L. F., B.Sc.Agr. . . Mann, J. Marks, A. H., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.D. . . ♦Marks, E. O., M.D., B.A., B.E. Mathewson, J. H. R., M.B., Ch.B. , . McConnel, Miss U., M.A. . . McDonald, S. F., M.D., M.R.C.P. . . McDougall, W. A., B.Se. McDowall, Val., M.D. McKenzie, A. D., M.B., Ch.M. McPherson, R.J., B.Se. Meyers, E. S., M.B. . . The University, Brisbane. Government Analyst, Brisbane. Biology Department, University, Bris- bane. Government Printing Office, George Street, Brisbane. Newnham College, Cambridge. The University, Brisbane. care of Q.jST. Bank, 8 Princess Street, London, E.C.2. care of Commissioner for Australia, Cunard Building, 25 Broadway, New York. Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. Department of Home Affairs, Canberra. Cunningham Street, Dalby. Crohamhurst Observatory, Beerwah, Q. Ebun Drive, Ascot, Brisbane. Chemistry Department, The University, Brisbane. care of Australian Chemical Co., Grey Street, South Brisbane. Box 1067N., G.P.O., Brisbane. Main Roads Commission, Albert Street, Brisbane. Geological Survey Office, Brisbane. The University, Brisbane. care of Bank of N.S.W., Melbourne, Vic. Department of Agriculture and Stock Townsville. Box 546 H, G.P.O., Brisbane. Department of Agriculture, Brisbane. Queensland Museum, Brisbane. ‘ ^ Inclicolm, ” Wickham Terrace, Bris- bane. Central Technical College, Brisbane. 413 Brunswick Street, Valley, Brisbane. Fruit Branch, Department of Agriculture, Sydney. B'ox 109, Canberra, F.C.T. Department of Agriculture and Stock, Brisbane. Prickly-pear Laboratory, Sherwood. Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. 101 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. Ballow Chambers, Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. Cressbrook, via Toogoolawah. ^^Fancourt,” Wickham Terrace, Bris- bane. Department of Agriculture, Mackay. Preston House, Queen Street, Brisbane. Russell Street, Toowoomba. The University, Brisbane. Ballow Chambers, Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. ♦Members who have contributed papers to the Society. LIST OF MEMBERS. XXVI. Mitchell, E. S., B.S'c.Agr. Moorhouse, F. W., M.Sc. Morris, L. C., A.M.I.C.E. Morton, C. C., A.C.T.S.M. .. Murphy, Ellis, M.D. . . *Murray, Professor J. K., B.A., B.Sc.Agr. O ’Connor, E. A., M.Sc. Ogilvie, C., B.E. Ohman, A. F. S., M.V.Sc Parker, W. E., L.D.S. *Parnell, Professor T., M.A. . , Payne, W. L. , . *Pearce, Mrs. T. E., M.Sc. *Perkins, F. A., B.Sc.Agr. Phillips, T. J. . . Preston, G. Price, T. A,, M.B., B.S. *Eeid, J. II *Eeye, A. J., M.B *Eichards, Professor H. C., D.Sc. Eiddle, A. E., M.Sc. . . Eidgeway, J. E. Eimmer, T., M.Sc. *Eobertson, J. . . Eobertson, W. N., C.M.G., M.B. Eoscoe, G. M., M.A. . . Eussell, E., M.B., Ch.M, Scott, Miss F. E., B.Sc. Shaw, B. E., A.M.I.E. Shaw, J. G., B.Sc.Agr. Shell, G. W *Shepherd, E. M., B.E. Simmonds, J. H., M.Sc. Simonds, Prof. E. F., M.A., B.Sc., Ph.D. Sinclair, W. M., M.B. Sloan, W. J. S., B.Sc.Agr. *Smith, F. B., B.Sc., F.I.C Smith, J. H., M.Sc. . . Steel, W. H., M.B. Stephenson, S., M.A. . . Stoney, A. J., B.E.E. . . Strong, T. H., B.Sc.Agr. Department of Agriculture and Stock, Brisbane. 216 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington, Bris- bane. Department of Public Instruction, George Street, Brisbane. care of Mining Warden, Charters Towers. 97 Wickham Street, Brisbane. Agricultural High School and College, Gatton. The University, Brisbane. District Engineer, St. George. Department of Agriculture and Stock, Toowoomba. A.M.P. Building, Edward Street, Bris- bane. The University, Brisbane. Lands Department, Brisbane. Box 332, P.O., Lismore, New South Wales. The University, Brisbane. care of Courier-Ma/il, Queen Street, Bris- bane Gregory Terrace, Brisbane. Toowoomba. Geological Survey Office, Eockhampton. 97 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. The University, Brisbane. The Abattoir, Cannon Hill, Brisbane. Geological Survey Office, Brisbane. The University, Brisbane. Assistant Bacteriologist, City Hall, Bris- bane. “Craigston, ” 217 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. State School, Macknade. 63 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. Oxford House, Bundaberg. Irrigation Commission, College Eoad, Brisbane. Children’s Hospital, Brisbane. care of Shell Oil Co., Breakfast Creek Eoad, Brisbane. 131 Gladstone Eoad, South Brisbane. Department of Agriculture and Stock, Brisbane. The University, Brisbane. Toowoomba. Department of Agriculture and Stock, Eockhampton. Hutton’s Factory, Zillmere. Department of Agriculture and Stock, Nambour. Eosemount Hospital, Windsor. Boys’ Grammar School, Brisbane. The University, Brisbane. Waite Institute, Adelaide, S.A. * Members who have contributed papers to the Society. LIST OF MEMBERS. XXVII. Summerville, W. A. T., M.Sc. Sylow, Paul Tarleton, A., M.B. Taylor, G, C., M.B., Ch.M. Thelander, C., M.B., Ch.B., F.R.A.C.S. Thomas, L., M.Se. Thompson, C. L., B.D.Sc. Thorn, St. G. . . •Tibbits, P. C. . . Tommerup, E. C., B.Sc. Trist, A., B.Sc. *Turner, A. J., M.D., F.E.S. . . Veitch, R., B.Sc. Vickery, J., M.S’c., Ph.D. Waddle, I., M.Sc. Wadley, J. B. . . Watkins, S. B., M.Sc. Weddell, J. A Wells, W. G *White, C. T., F.L.S White, E. L. D., B.E. . . White, M., M.Sc., Ph.D. *Whitehouse, F. W., Ph.D., M.Sc. Wiley, W. J., D.Sc Wilson, R. Department of Agriculture and Stock, Nambour. Angus Street, Bardon. 69 Vulture Street, West End, Brisbane. Ballow Chambers, Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. Ballow Chambers, Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. Post Office, Stanthorpe. Club Chambers, Creek Street, Brisbane. Animal Health Station, Yeerongpilly. Irrigation Commission, College Road, Brisbane. 4 John Street, Ashfield, N.S.W. Forestry Department, Brisbane. Dauphin Street, Highgate Hill. Department of Agriculture and Stock, Brisbane. The Abattoir, Cannon Hill, Brisbane. Brisbane State High School, Musgrave Park, Brisbane. Salt Street, Albion. Central Technical College, Brisbane. Department of Agriculture and Stock, Brisbane. Department of Agriculture and Stock, Brisbane. Government Botanist, Botanic Gardens, Brisbane. ‘ ‘ Doonliolm, ’ ’ Walmsley Street, Kan- garoo Point. Abattoir, Cannon Hill, Brisbane. Geological Department, University, Bris- bane care of Government Analyst, Brisbane. Kirkland Avenue, Coorparoo. Associate Members. Archibald, Miss L., B.Sc. . . . . The University, Brisbane. Fison, D. G., B.Sc. . . . • . . O ’Connell Street, Kangaroo Point, Bris- bane. *Members who have contributed papers to the Society. David Whyte, Government Printer, Brisbane. i if N » ^ 4-. }i "iMr/ CONTENTS. 1 ' ! Volume XL VII. PAGEfc -ISTo. 1. — Presidential Address: By J. S. Just, M.I.E.E., MJ.E.Aust. .. 1-10 No. 2. — The Significance of pH Putrefactive Grade Test in Bacterio- logical Water Analysis : By W. T. Bobertson . . . . 11-17 No. 3. — A Suggested Co-Enzyme Hypothesis for the Eipening of Eruits, BY Ethylene Gas Treatment: By L. J, Lynch, B.Sc. Agric. 18-24 No. 4. — New Australian Lepidoptera: By A. Jefferis Turnef, M.B., B.E.E ,S , .. .. .. ... 2o — 50 No. 5. — Contributions to the Queensland Flora, No. 5: By C. T. White 51-84 No. 6. — Essential Oils prom the Queensland Flora — Part VI. — Eremocitrus glauca: By L. F. Bitchcock, M.Se., and T. G. H. Jones, B.Sc., A.A.C.I. .. .. .. .. 85-88 No. 7. — ^Notes on Some Pasture Problems op Western Queensland: By S. T. Blake, M.Sc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 89-91 No. 8. — Essential Oils from tee Queensland Flora, Part VIII. The Identity of Melaleucol with Nerolidol: By T. G. H, Jones, jD.Sc., A.A.C.I., and J. M. Harvey, B.Sc. .. .. 92-93 Beport of the Council V.-Vll. Abstract op . Proceedings viii.-six. List op Library Exchanges xx.-xxii. List op Members xxiii.-xxvii. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND FOR 1936. VOL. XLVIII. ISSUED 24th MAY .((#7. MAY 27 1938 AL^^' Pi^lCE ; FIFTEEN SHiLLiNSS. Printed for the Society by DAVID WHYTE, Government Printer, Brisbane. ! t I I i I I NOTICE TO AUTHORS. 1. Eaeli paper should be accompanied by the author's name^ degrees and oihciai address. ^ ^ 2. Papers must be complete a7ul in a form suitable for j)ubli6ation when com- municated to the Society and should be as concise as possible. 3. Papers must be accompanied by an abstract of not more than one hundred words. 4. Papers should be in double-spaced typescript on one side of the paper with. ample margins. 5. The use of italics in the text should be restricted to generic and specific names^ foreign words and titles of periodicals. 6. The cost of author’s eorrections to proof above what the Council considers a reasonable amount, must be borne by the author. 7. Unless otherwise specified each author will be supplied with fifty separate copies of his paper. Any number exceeding this may be obtained at” approximately cost price. 8. All references should be listed at the end of each paper and arranged alphabetically under authors’ names, e.g., Keilin, D. (1929) Proe. Boy. Soc. B, vol. 104, p. 207. Lesage, P. (1895) Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot., vol. 1, p. .309. The corresponding references in the text should be : ^‘Keilin (1929)”, ‘‘Lesage (1895)”. 9. The size of the printed plate will not exceed 8 in. x 4^ in., and drawings may be to this size, or preferably to a convenient small multiple thereof. Tlie effect of the necessary reduction on lettering and fine detail should be borne in mind. Text figures should be drawn for reduction to a width not exceeding 4 in. 10. Drawing in line should be executed in intensely black ink, such as good India ink, on a smooth surface, preferably Bristol board. Excessively fibre, scratchy or faint lines are to be avoided. Tints or washes cannot be reproduced in line drawings, in which the maximum degree of contrast is necessary. 11. Drawings or photographs for reproduction in half-tone should, where possible, be grouped for reproduction on one plate. They should be done or mounted on a smooth surface, such as Bristol board, as the grain of most drarving papers becomes visible on reproduction. Single photographs should be sent flat and unmounted. All prints should be on glossy bromide or gas-light paper. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND FOR 1936. VOL. XLVIII. ISSUED 24th MAY, 1937, PRICE ; FIFTEEN SHILLINGS. Printed for the Society by DAVID WHYTE, Government Printer, Brisbane. The Royal Society of Queensland Patron : ms EXCELLENCY, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL THE EIGHT HONOUEABIiE SIE LESLIE OEME WILSON, G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., P.C., C.M.G., D.S.O. OFFICERS, 1936^1937. President : Professor J. K. MUREAY, B.A., B.Sc.Agr. Vice-Presidents : ROBERT VEITCH, B.Sc.Agr., B.Sc.For., F.R.E.S. Professor L. S. BAGS TER, D.Se. Hon. Treasurer: E. W. BICK. Hon. Secretary: F. A. PERKINS, B.Sc.Agr. Hon. Librarian: T. BENNETT, B.Sc. Hon. Editors: H. A. LONGMAN, F.L.S. D. A. HERBERT, L.Sc. Members of CounoU: E. O. MARKS, B.A., B.E., M.D., J. S. JUST, M.I.M.E., F. W. WHITEHOUSE, M.Sc., Ph.D., W. G. WELLS, W. W. BRYAN, M.Sc.Agr. Trustees: F. BENNETT, B.Sc., J. B. HENDERSON, F.I.C., A. JEFFERIS TURNER, M.D. Hon. Auditor: A. J. M. STONEY, B.E.E. Bankers : COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA. CONTENTS Volume XL VIII. Pages.. Xo. 1. — Presidential Address : By Robert Veitch, B.Sc.Agr,, B.Sc.For,, F. R.E.S 1-19 Xo. 2. — Essential Oils from the Queensland Flora — Part VII. — Melaleuca pubescens : By T. O. H. Jones, D.Sc., A.A.C.I., and F. N. Lahey, B.Sc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21 Xo. 3. — XoTES ON Australian Muscoidea II. Subfamily Muscineae : By G. H. Hardy . . . . . . . . , . . . . . 22-29 Xo. 4. — The Analysis of Co-variance and its Use in Correcting for Irregularities of Stand in Argicultural Trials for Yield : By L. G. Miles, B.Sc.Agr., Ph.D., and W. W. Bryan, M.Sc.Agr 30-34 Xo. 5. — A Small Collection of Fossil Cockroach Remains from the Triassic Beds of Mount Crosby, Queensland : By R. J. Tillyard, M.A., Sc.D., D.Sc., F.R.S., F.R.E.S 35-40 Xo. 6. — Essential Oils from the Queensland Flora — Part IX — Melaleuca viridiflora : By T. G. H. Jones, D.Sc., A.A.G.I., and W . L. Haenke, B.Sc., B.Sc. (App.) . . . . . . . . 41-44- Xo. 7. — Erinosis, a Disease of Laportea ; By D. A. Herbert, D.Sc 45-47 Xo. 8. — Essential Oils from the Queensland Flora — Part X. — Melaleuca Linariifolia : By T. G. H. Jones, D.Sc., A.A.C.I. 48-50 Xo. 9. — Studies in Australian and Oriental Trypaneidae, Part I. New Genera of Dacinae.: By F. A. Perkins, B.Sc. Agric. . . 51-80 Xo. 10. — New Australian Pyraloidea : By A. J. Turner, M.D., F.R.E.S.. . 61-8S No. 11. — Notes on Australian Cyperaceae I. : By S. T. Blake, M.Sc. . . 89-94 Queensland Assets: An Address by His Excellency Sir Leslie Wilson. . .. 95-99- Report OF THE Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v.-vii., Abstract of Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii.-xxi.. List of Library Exchanges xxii.-xxiv. List of Members xxv.-xxix. VoL. XLYIII., No. 1. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland. Presidential Address. BY Robert Veitch, B.Sc.Agr., B. Sc. For., F.R.E.S. {Delivered before the Iloyal Society of Queensland, SOth March, 1936.) PART I.— GENERAL. The preparation of a presidential address in any society is frequently and quite appropriately preceded by a perusal of the addresses delivered by earlier occupants of the presidential chair, a sound practice which I have adhered to partly with the object of refresh- ing my memory as to the manner in which my predecessors dealt with the subjects chosen by them and partly to ensure that I should select as the theme of to-night’s address some phase of scientific activity not previously discussed on such occasions. The perusal of the volumes of our Proceedings, which was necessi- tated by this decision, was definitely interesting. One feature that impressed me in their perusal was the extraordinary variation in the length of the presidential addresses, the shortest occupying some two pages of print, whilst the longest extended to a total of eighty -two pages. I decided to steer a middle course' in so far as to-night ’s address is concerned. While achieving the two main objectives aimed at in the perusal of my predecessors’ efforts I came across many interesting items to one of which I desire to make reference to-night. It occurs in the presidential address delivered by ]\Ir, A. Norton, M.L.A., on 8th July, 1887, and is the following short paragraph which I think worthy of quotation : — “It is disappointing to have still to hold our meetings in a room for the use of v/hich the Society is indebted to the Trustees of the Museum. In consequence of this it is impossible to give members free access to the many valuable books and pamphlets which have been presented to the Society by numerous donors.” Practically fifty years have passed since these words were spoken and the position is still the same as indicated by President Norton, i.e., the Society is indebted to another institution firstly for a lecture theatre in which to hold its meetings, and secondly for a room in which to house its valuable and steadily growing library. I do not wish to be misunderstood on this subject, for the Society is deeply appreciative of the assistance granted to it by the University of Queensland in making available this splendid lecture theatre in which to hold its meetings and in providing housing for its library. It, nevertheless, appears to me that the time is fast approaching when this and kindred societies should consider whether or no the acquisition of or erection of a building to house all the scientific bodies meeting in the metropolis is desirable and practicable. I realise that very appreciable financial difficulties will 2 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. have to be faced if a decision be made to proceed with the acquisition, of a Science House, but with the transfer of the University to the new St. Lucia site, it may, and probably will, be necessary for this and other ' societies, which are dependent on the good graces of the University for accommodation, to seek it elsewhere. The year’s activities in the Eoyal Society of Queensland have been | outlined in the Council’s report which has already been presented to you, and comment thereon will be restricted to drawing your attention to the fact that a small trust fund of £70 has been constituted during the year under review and additions to that fund will doubtless be welcomed by the new Council and its successors. Passing now to the realm of general scientific activities and follow- ing a custom set by many of my predecessors, I propose to comment ^ briefly on events of general interest in scientific circles in this State ^ ^ s during the year 1935. ^ ^ The celebration of the silver jubilee of the University of Queensland was undoubtedly one of the most important of these events, the jubilee > S year witnessing the success of negotiations for the establishment of | faculties of medicine, dental surgery, veterinary science, and law. The f ' initiation of the last-mentioned faculty was largely the outcome of a munificent gift from Mr. T. C. Beirne, while special Government grants ^ made possible the establishment of the faculties of medicine and veter- inary science. The year was also rendered memorable by the decision of the Government of Queensland to proceed with the erection of new University buildings on the St. Lucia site at an estimated cost of half a million pounds for buildings and equipment. I feel sure that these developments must have been extremely gratifying to all members of W| this Society, but more particularly to those members who, in the earlier M years of the existence of the Koyal Society, were advocates of tho K establishment of a University in this State. H The steady expansion of University activities is of very material f 1 interest to the Department with which I am associated, namely the 1 1 Department of Agriculture and Stock, for that Department has a growing list of University graduates on its staff, now numbering in the vicinity of fifty, many of whom are the product of our own University. The-^ffl policy of recruiting numbers of University graduates thus renders any^^B development of academic training facilities in the various branches of-B^ scientific endeavour a matter of considerable importance to the DepaiT- 5 ment. The volume of research work carried on within the Department^aB is expanding rapidly, and in connection therewith an important stepTH was taken towards the end of 1935 in the establishment of a Bureau of . JB Tropical Agriculture to handle the many pressing problems awaiting solution in North Queensland. Considerable additions were made to thel^® Departmental buildings in Brisbane, one of the chief objectives in the building programme being the provision of adequate accommodation ■ HI for the new Dairy Research Laboratory. ® ' Another noteworthy development during the year under review. * was the formation of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science, p which is now well established with a membership rapidly approaching the maximum limit of three hundred. This Institute publishes a S quarterly journal which appears to be performing a useful function as S a medium of publication and as a bond of union between workers in fi agricultural science in Australia. B PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 3 The year -also witnessed the holding of the fifth triennial congress of the International Society of Sugar-cane Technologists, the formal sessions being successfully held in Brisbane. Before concluding the general portion of my presidential address I must refer to the death of two highly esteemed members of the Society, namely Mr. E. R. Gross and Mr. A. G. Jackson. Both were respected members of the business community of Brisbane and, as was indicated by their membership of this Society, both were supporters of scientific activities witliin the State. PART II.— THE DEVELOPMENT OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY IN QiUEENSLAND. As already mentioned I perused the volumes of our Proceedings before commencing the preparation of this presidential address. The perusal disclosed the fact that it was not until January 27th, 1908, that a subject with definite entomological implications was chosen for a presidential address. ^Ihis address was entitled ‘Hnsects and Disease,” und was delivered by Dr. A. Jelferis Turner. A fev^ years later, on February 25th, 1911, Mv. W. R. College chose as the title of his presi- dential address ‘‘Notes on a Brush-tongued Mosquito.” No president since that date has chosen an entomological subject and as neither Dr. Turner nor Mr. College dealt with general entomology I decided to address you on “The Development of Applied Entomology in Queensland. ’ ’ 1 propose commencing the discussion of this subject by briefly outlining the difiiculties with which the early settlers were faced in establishing primary production in this continent. We shall then see how the absence of efiicient quarantine in the early days of settlement led to the introduction of many pests, and from that point I shall pro- ceed to a consideration of the development of modern quarantine as a means of limiting the spread of pests. The next and final step will be to discuss some representative pests, illustrative of the ditferent methods used, with varying degrees of success, in minimising losses from insect pests already established within the quarantine barrier. Let us now attempt to visualise the conditions facing the pioneers of Anglo-Saxon civilisation in this continent, and, if possible, let us ascertain what influence, if any, these conditions had on the incidence of entomological problems in Queensland. These pioneers had to travel great distances to reach their new home and the journey had to be made in small slow boats. Food supplies, at' least in essential lines, had to be produced locally on a large scale and almost concurrently with the arrival of the earlier batches of settlers, and in this connection it is important to note that Australia did not yield a single plant that could be utilized as an important article of food for a European race, nor did it produce a single animal that could be domesticated. The general circumstances under which settlement took place there- fore necessitated the importation of seeds, plants, and cuttings on a large scale for, as I have just indicated, everything required to make this continent habitable for a white race had to be imported. It is unfortunate that important insect pests accompanied these introduc- tions, but the pioneers can hardy be considered blameworthy on that account. The importance of the insect menace was realised by very few people anywhere in the world at that time, but even had the pioneers 4 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSIjAND. realised the risk they were running in such importations imposing a heavy burden on all subsequent generations of primary producers, it is | unlikely that they would have been able to do anything about it. They were struggling for a foothold in a strange country in the face of the opposition of a somewhat hostile aboriginal population, and plant quarantine was doubtless a subject that was very far removed indeed i from their thoughts. I have, however, during the course of my official duties, sometimes deeply regretted the fact that there was no effective plant quarantine service in operation in the early days of settlement in this country. We, of course, now possess an efficient organisation which materially reduces the risk of the importation of further insect enemies of plants- and animals. It is, however, interesting to note that even had a most efficient quarantine service been instituted at an early stage in our national history, and even if it had been able to exclude all insect pests reaching our shores, a feat that has never been accomplished by the most efficient service in the world, this State would still have been faced with a muUipli'city of entomological problems. This fact is borne out by the results of a classihcation which curiosity recently prompted me to make of the insects referred to in a handbook at present in course of preparation for publication by the Department of Agriculture and Stock. The insects, which are all important pests, were placed in two categories, namely, native and introduced. The results are rather interesting for they reveal the fact that of the hundred- odd insects dealt with a slight majority are native species. Hence even had a most efficient plant and animal quarantine service' accompanied the initiation of settlement, Queensland primary producers would still have had to face a wide range of serious entomological problems. It is never- theless regrettable that laxity in the early days of settlement has appreci- ably added to the entomological difficulties of the primary producer. Had adequate precautions been taken some of the important pests that now afflict us might still be on the right side of the quarantine barrier, while the establishment of others might have been deferred for an appreciable number of vears. </ Intelligently conceived and efficiently controlled quarantine, both domestic and foreign, is such an important weapon in the campaign against insect pests that I think it requires further consideration before proceeding to a discussion of the type of warfare that can be effectively waged against already established insects. So far I have merely indicated what happens in the absence of effective quarantine, but I now wish to show what is possible with modern quarantine methods, while at the same time indicating their limitations. As has been mentioned our records indicate that many of our intro- duced pests such as the potato tuber moth {Pkthorimwa operculella Zell.), the woolly apple aphis (Eriosoma lanigenim Hausm), and the codling moth {Cydia pomonella L.) arrived during the early days of settlement in Australia, but since these early records many additional introduced pests have been discovered, a large proportion of which have now doubt- less occupied all the territory suitable to their development. Others, however, are still spreading slowly but surely, and in quite a number of cases it is rather difficult to formulate any reasonable plan for the prevention of that spread. In making this statement I have in mind such pests as the green vegetable bug {Nezara viridula L.) and the brown PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. b •vegetable weevil {Listroderes costir ostris Schh.), both introduced species which, during the last few years, have occupied a steadily expanding area of territory in this State. It is impossible to determine with any degree of accuracy just when and how such relatively recent arrivals broke through our quarantine barrier, but I think we must accept the fact that no matter how effici- ently our quarantine service is organised there will be occasions on which an insect will succeed in passing that barrier and subsequently establishing itself on suitable host plants or animals. It is probably correct to say that the United States of America has one of the most efficient quarantine services in the world, and in spite of that fact the dreaded Mediterranean fruit fly {Geratitis icctpifata Wied.) gained access to Florida, where it was discovered early in April, 1929. It will, I think, be instructive to review the manner in which the Mediterranean fruit fly problem was tackled in the United States and to ascertain just what measure of success was achieved in dealing with it. In the first place, it is important to note that Congress made avail- able for control and eradication work a sum of $4,250,000, and what was just as important as the granting of such a large appropriation of money was the fact that instalments thereof were made available within a few weeks of the discovery that the fruit fly had reached Florida. The whole of the subsequent eradication campaign was conducted with equal vigour, and on November 15th, 1930, all quarantine restrictions were lifted, i.e., nineteen months elapsed between the date of the discovery of the presence of the fruit fly in Florida and the lifting of all restric- tions, thus indicating that in the opinion of the Government eradication had been achieved. That the task of eradication was by no means a simple one is indicated by the fact that 72 per cent, of the total citrus areas of Florida were found to be infested, the degree of infestation in many cases being very high. Certainly the expenditure involved was great, but a tremendously valuable fruit industry extending north to the New England States and west to California was at stake, and its importance fully justified the drastic and costly measures adopted. The ultimate success achieved in this campaign was due partly to the fact that the entomological staff knew just what to do, because the Mediterranean fruit fly problem had been intensively studied by some of its members in Hawaii and else- where for years before the advent of the insect in the United States. The Bureau of Entomology in the United States felt that sooner or later the Mediterranean fruit fly might break through the quarantine barrier, and a tribute must be paid to the foresight displayed by that Bureau in accumulating a vast amount of information to be used for dealing with the problem when it did arise. Another and most important factor influencing the prospects of success was the promptness with which the Legislatures concerned, both Federal and State, took the necessary steps to furnish the financial and legislative weapons for the eampaign. There are other instances of successful efforts to eradicate an introduced insect, e.g., the Colorado potato beetle {Leptinotarsa decem- Hneata Say) has twice broken through the quarantine barrier in England, but on each occasion it has apparently been eradicated. It must be admitted, however, that these cases are exceptions, and ■once an insect passes the quarantine barrier and breeds through a few 6 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. generations its eradication is highly improbable, and it will sooner or later occupy all the territory possessing conditions favourable to its permanent establishment. "What, then, should be done with an insect which has broken the foreign quarantine barrier ? Should we remain apathetic and' take no steps to stem its progress'/ My answer to that question is that all reasonable measures should be adopted to delay its spread, and that, generally speaking, it will be found that the expenditure involved in retarding its invasion of uninfested territory is more than recouped by the saving to those districts which obtain a number of years additional freedom from the pest. Indeed in some cases we may succeed in more or less indefinitely postponing the spread of the pest to many important areas suitable for its propagation. We have in Queensland a very good example of the value of quaran- tine measures imposed on a pest already established- in the State, and here I am referring to the buffalo fly {Lyperosia exigua de Meij.). Immediately following the discovery of the presence of that insect in the north-west portion of Queensland certain restrictions were placed on the movement of cattle, the restrictions operating as from late in 1928. It can now be claimed that, in large measure as a result of these and other subsequently imposed restrictions, the territory infested by the buffalo fly at the end of last rainy season was still only a relatively small proportion of the north-west, and what is equally important the fly has failed to cross large stretches of uninfested territory and to establish itself hundreds of miles from its previous boundaries, a possi- bility that is always present when trucking cattle over long distances from territory containing a blood-sucking fly associated with the cattle day and night, and capable of breeding in the droppings in the cattle trucks. This, I think, is a striking case in which domestic quarantine regulations have successfully protected a most valuable State asset by restricting a serious pest to a relatively small corner of our territory. Long may the restrictions succeed in the objective for which they were designed. South of our own border we are witnesses of a determined and costly effort to stem the southward march of the cattle tick {Boophilus microplus Canes), and here again we are encouraged by the degree of success achieved in the United States where the first Federal appro- priation for cattle-tick eradication was made available in July, 1906. Speaking in December, 1927, Harned^ pointed out that as a result of the tick eradication programme, “750 of the 985 counties had been released from quarantine and 653 were entirely tick free.’’ Although the instances I have just quoted are encouraging, my listeners should remember that an- omnivorous phytophagus insect such as the green vegetable bug already mentioned possesses peculiarly difficult features in so far as the stemming of its progress is concerned. In spite of the common name conferred on it, this species feeds on such plants as maize, lucerne, and citrus, and also breeds freely on a wide range of weed host plants. Its eradication appears to me to be an impossibility, no matter what funds were placed at our disposal, and it is difficult to see just how it would be practicable to prevent its steady spread to areas at present uninfested. With respect to the future our experience will probably be similar to that of other countries, i.e., insects will still be able to occasionally gain a foothold in spite of the vigilance of our quarantine officers, for PRESIDENTLIL ADDRESS. 7 it must be realised that the danger of such an eventuality is in some respects an increasing one. The duration of the average voyage to Australia is automatically decreasing with the increasing speed of the steamers serving the main trade routes, the danger of the survival of new insect immigrants being thereby correspondingly increased. Furthermore we now have a weekly air mail service from England and the mail planes pass through tropical countries teeming with insect life. I know that all 3'easonable precautions will be taken at Darwin, but the danger of insects accompanying planes in their flight across the Timor Sea is pretty obvious, and it is well to remember that the dura- tion of a plane’s flight from the Dutch East Indies is a matter of only a few hours, thus permitting a high degree of survival of insect life. It must also be remembered that many airports are of necessity located in the country, where the chances of picking up undesirable insect passengers are definitely greater than in the crowded dockyards of a large seaport. In this connection I should like to mention that a very considerable amount of information on the association of insects with aeroplanes has been obtained during the course of the field experimental work on cotton boll weevil control in the United States, and writing thereon in November, 1927, Goad, who was responsible for the work, states in a communication to Howard^ — ^‘Certainly, in years to come, a quarantine measure attempt- ing to restrict movement of insects will be forced into consideration of airplane transportation,” ^md again — “Personally I have very frequently watched insects remain in the cockpit with me for a flight lasting several hours.” Incidentally I might mention that Goad’s work on dusting cotton fields from aeroplanes aJforded an excellent opportunity for studying the insect fauna of the upper air, and that he Ixas actually found insects at an elevation of eighteen thousand feet. He has demonstrated that air currents can carry Avingless insects or delicate insects possessing little power of flight to great elevations, aphids and leaf hoppers being among the insects obtained in the trap collections at great heights. Howard, in discussing this important matter, points out that at extreme elevations the insects are killed by the cold but at lesser heights that is not the case; hence the possibility of our air mail service acting as a means of ■entrance for insects which might not otherwise reach our shores cannot be ignored. As I have said, however, I do not doubt that the Federal quarantine authorities are alive to, this possibility and are doing Avhatever is practicable to deal with the problem. HevieAving the existing position it therefore appears to me that reasonable quarantine precautions are now in force to prevent, as far as it is pi’acticable to do so, any new and undesirable insect immigrants establishing themselves in this country. Furthermore, I think the fact must be accepted that there is virtually no hope of eradicating the important introduced plant-feeding insects already established in the State, but that in certain cases much good can be accomplished by local quarantine restrictions designed to prevent the spread of introduced pests for at least a few years and designed in some cases to achieve their more or less permanent exclusion from territories at present uninfested. 8 PROCEEDINGS OF TPIB ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. Having reviewed the quarantine position, let ns now pass to a. discussion of the forging of suitable weapons for use in the warfare against the pests that are now with us, the eradication of which we have just ruled out of the realm of possibilities. Much has already been accomplished in that direction, and I think the best procedure will be to select a few important insect pests representative of the dilferent types of problems with which we are confronted and illustrative of the manner in which we have succeeded in solving or are attempting to solve these problems. The insects I have chosen as illustrations are the Queensland fruit fly {Climtodacus tryoni Froggatt) the wooly apple aphis, the cattle poisoning sawfly (Pterygophorus intermptus King),, the pinhole borer of North Queensland cabinet woods {Crossotarsus grevillece Lea), and the paspalum white grub {Le'pidioia caudata Blkb.). These pests I shall now refer to in a arying degree of detail. Queensland Fruit Fly. The first insect I desire to discuss in some detail as illustrative of the methods we are adopting in attempting to solve entomological problems is the well-known Queensland fruit fly. The manner in which the maggots of this fly feed in infested fruit is doubtless well known to all of you and therefore requires no discussion; hence we can proceed immediately to the consideration of the problem of its control. The discussion of this problem occupies a very prominent place in the early entomological literature of the State and Tryon,® writing in 1886, produces evidence that fruit fly was well known in Toowoomba orchards in 1853. He, at the same time and in the same publication, made certain recommendations with respect to its control one of which, the collection and destruction of infested fruit, is still a leading feature in any fruit fly campaign. Since Try on’s report was published the Queensland fruit fly has been the subject of a great deal of attention. Various Departmental officers investigated it from time to time until with the advent of the growing of deciduous fruit on a large scale in the Stanthorpe district, which occurred shortly after the war, the pest assumed still greater importance, because of the marked increase in the production of fruits susceptible to attack. Accordingly, two entomologists were stationed in that district in 1922, one being a special research fellow associated with, the Biology Department of the University of Queensland. His appoint-: ment was financed by the growers in the Stanthorpe district, and he devoted the whole of his time to fruit fly investigations during the four years in which he was stationed in the district and also carried out large-scale luring experiments during the summer months of a further five successive years. The other entomologist, a Departmental officer, who is still in charge of the Stanthorpe Entomological Field Station, featured the fruit fly problem as the major item in his research, pro- gramme. Both these investigators accumulated a mass of valuable information on this most difficult problem and as a result of their work important advances have been made in the direction of its successful solution. The investigators were faced with one very important point requiring elucidation early in the investigations, namely whence did the annually recurring fruit fly infestation in the Stanthorpe district originate ? Did the pest survive the rigours of the Stanthorpe winter either as a fly or in one of its immature stages, the surviving population thus renewing PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 9 infestation of the early fruits in the following season? Alternatively, was the importation of infested fruit from coastal districts or else- where responsible for the seasonal reinfestation, or did that occur as the result of the migration of flies from warmer areas in which the insect is able to survive the winter in considerable numbers? These were possible explanations and it will be interesting to see just how the evidence obtained in the course of the investigations supported or discredited the various possibilities. I think it is now agreed that the evidence secured gives little sup- port to the possibility of over-wintering being the main source of the early summer fruit fly infestation at Stanthorpe. Indeed it very definitely indicates that the fly has little chance of surviving the Stan- thorpe winter, although a few individuals may occasionally carry over in an immature stage. In this connection Jarvis^ obtained evidence that maggots developing in very late fruit, such as quinces and late apples, stored in the district, may survive the winter, but only a very small percentage can do so, and even if such survival does take place in any particular season it is improbable that it is of any consequence in starting the spring infestation. Indeed in all cases observed by Jarvis a breakdown in the tissue of the stored fruit occurred in spring and the insects succumbed before completing their development and emerg- ing as flies. Furthermore, Perkins® obtained evidence that pupise may be alive as late as October 1st, although he was unfortunately unsuccessful in breeding the flies from these pupge. The fact, however, that they were alive on the date mentioned indicates a possibility of successful over- wintering. All efforts to obtain evidence that the flies themselves may survive the Stanthorpe winter have been fruitless. Hence it would appear that survival within the district during the winter months is merely a remote possibility. Let us now turn to the second possible explanation, which was that the importation of infested fruit from coastal districts and elsewhere is responsible for the constantly recurring Stanthorpe infestation. The validity of this explanation received no support from a large-scale experiment specially designed to test it. For several years in succes- sion fruit was admitted to the Stanthorpe district only after it had been cold stored for a period sufficiently long and at a temperature sufficiently low to kill any eggs or maggots that might be present in the fruit, the fruit being held in cold storage for three weeks at a tempera- ture not exceeding 35 deg. Fahr. As a further precaution this fruit was carefully inspected at Warwick. It seems reasonable to assume that the elimination of infestation in fruit brought into the district would have been followed by a period of freedom from fruit fly attack, if the importation of infested fruit were the cause of the seasonal reinfestaticn in the district. Yet severe fruit fly infestation occurred in many orchards during the years in which this interesting and important experiment was in progress. Our first two possible explanations of the infestation having received little or no support during the progress of the investigations, let us see whether or no the migration theory has fared any better. The evidence in 'favour of the probability that migration is the major factor in the annual infestation is as follows. Firstly, it has frequently been observed that the first sign of infesta- tion each season is the appearance of considerable numbers of fruit flies with somewhat frayed wings and well developed ovaries and other 10 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OP QUEENSLAND. features indicating that several weeks had elapsed since these flies emerged from the pup^e. A very careful watch is kept by both the general Departmental officers and the orchardists for the first appear- ance of the pest, and it is difficult to believe that the first batches of flies would again and again escape detection for several weeks after their emergence from the pupal stage. It is believed that these flies hatched ^ out weeks before their discovery in the Stanthorpe orchards in some areas possessing less rigorous winter conditions and that they migrated thence to Stanthorpe. Secondly, it is a known fact that the Jarvis fruit fly {GJimtodacus jarvisi Tryon), which attacks deciduous fruit, occurs in the Stanthorpe district each season, but it does not put in an appearance before the beginning of February. It is well nigh incredible that this fly could remain undetected in the district until so late in the season each year, if it were permanently present therein. Furthermore, it is known to breed freely in the cockatoo apple {Carey a australis F.v.M.), the distri- bution of which is from Cairns to the vicinity of the Mary River, and the known circumstances of its appearance in the Stanthorpe district are apparently explicable only on the assumption that it migrates from | | coastal areas each season to the more elevated and more inland areas |i|i| 'SUch as Stanthorpe, arriving there early in February each year. 1 1 * t' Thirdly, the Solanum fruit fly {Chcetodacus dorsalis Hendel) appears | ^ in the Stanthorpe district in early spring and may be taken in fruit flv traps in that district in almost any orchard before the Queensland fruit i fly appears. Yet it does not attack deciduous fruit and its common recorded host plants, namely two species belonging to the genus Solanum> do not occur within the Stanthorpe area. Such briefly, is the evidence on which we have been forced to the conclusion that migration from lower lying warmer areas is the chief means whereby reinfestation occurs each year in the Stanthorpe district, I would like to make clear the fact that I do not consider the Stanthorpe problem is constituted wholly by migration. Certainly migration is the chief, if not the only, factor causing the initial infesta- “ tion each season, but much of the continued infestation is due to the local breeding of the flies. From what I have said it is obvious that the attempt to answer the question as to how the annual infestation of the new crop is initiated has involved a great deal of laborious and expensive work. It was, however, a most important question that we were seeking to answer, because had it been demonstrated that the fly did not over-winter and that it regained its foothold only by means of the importation of infested fruit to the district, then obviously it could have been more or lessll' permanently excluded at little cost by the imposition of cold storage on all fruit going into Stanthorpe. It may interest you to know that migration of the type now regarded as occurring in the case of the Queensland fruit fly is not unique ; e.g., it was recently shown by Smith and Allen® that the spotted cucumber beetle {DiahroUca duodecempunctata F.) regularly migrates up the Mississippi valley each year during the early spring and summer months and breeds in the northern territory thus temporarily occupied. With the advent of the autumn months the offspring of the northern migrants move southward, none of the beetles surviving the winter in the northern PRESIDENTIATj address. 11 sections of the temporarily occupied territory. The observations on this beetle showed that a distance of ''five hundred miles or more may be travelled during a period of three or four days of favourable weather. ’ Collections of beetles made in aeroplane flights showed that the migration may take place at altitudes ranging up to one thousand feet. Accepting migration as being responsible for the annual reinfesta- tion, the next question is what can be done when it does occur? — and to that question it appears to me that the investigators can supply a fairly satisfactory answer. In the first place a good proportion of the invading flies may be trapped by the use of suitable lures. Harvey produced a lure which succeeded in doing so, while Jarvis^ demonstrated tiie value of a cheap lure! composed of a sjmthetic essence of vanilla, household ammonia and water. Subsequently Perkins and Hines® obtained promising results in a preliminary experiment with ammonia alone. The possibility of improving the existing lures has not been overlooked, and a new lure is at present being experimented with by the Department of Agriculture and Stock, the first experiments, con- ducted in citrus orchards‘by Summerville,® giving very hopeful results. The most recent line of investigation at Stanthorpe has been the use of repellent sprays and in the course of these experiments Jarvis^® has obtained definitely satisfactory results on certain fruits with a nicotine sulphate-white oil mixture. Confirmation of these results has recently been obtained by the New South Wales Department of Agriculture in the course of experiments conducted in the Gosford district. The Queensland Departmental work on this pest also included a series of experiments by WeddelP^ Avith heat treatment of infested fruit, the experiments having been suggested by similar Avork carried out during the course of the eradication campaign conducted against the Mediterranean fruit fly in Florida. The investigation of the fruit fly problem has been attended by many difficulties, one of the most important of which is the erratic nature of the incidence of the pest, e.g., the fly is almost non-existent in the Stanthorpe district this season, and that fact has rather played havoc AA'ith our plans for the tests of the new fruit fly lure to which I have already referred. Last year fruit fly was much more prevalent, but some of our most promising experiments were ruined by hail. Othei difficulties occur, such as those that Avould be encountered in any attempt to demonstrate the power of the fly to migrate from, say, the Warwick district to the Stanthorpe orchards. All our available evidence indicates that it does so, but Ave would like to demonstrate the fact by liberating large numbers of marked flies at suitable spots between WarAvick or Toov/oomba and Stanthorpe and recovering some at least of the marked flies in fruit fly traps, thus ascertaining just how far the flies would travel from the centre at which they Avere liberated. The difficulties to be faced in such an experiment are, however, \ery considerable, as attendance upon an enormous number of traps would be necessary, and furthermore, a A^ery cool reception would be the fate of any entomolo- gist who liberated twenty or thirty thousand marked fruit flies even in a district containing practically nothing but backyard fruit. Not unnaturally the question of the possibility of the biological control of this pest has frequently been raised, but it must be confessed that the prospects of success in this direction are by no means bright. Nevertheless the New South Wales Department of Agriculture has recently thought it worth while to import parasites from India and 12 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. Fiji, the importation from the former country having been financed in part by the Federal Government. This experiment will be followed with sympathetic interest and in the hope that some beneficial results may I ensue. The biological control of a species of fruit fly has already been attempted in Hawaii where in 1913 and 1914 four parasites of the Mediterranean fruit fly were introduced and established, three of the * parasites having been obtained from Africa and the fourth from Aus- tralia. The Australian species is an enemy of certain of our own Queensland fruit flies which has sometimes been recorded as attacking a large percentage of fruit fly maggots in native fruits, e.g., Perkins and Hardy^^ found that of two hundred pupae of an unknown species of fruit fly obtained in the soil beneath a mock olive tree in the Stan- thorpe district, 76 per cent, had been parasitised. Unfortunately, however, parasitism in cultivated fruits in Queensland is far from common, the parasite evidently being more effective in the native fruits possessing a relatively thin pulp. Reporting on the results of the Hawaiian introductions in the 1922-24 period, Willard and BisselP^ state that the four species between them '^parasitise nearly 50 per cent, of the larvae about Honolulu, causing a corresponding decrease in infestation of the commercial hosts. ’ ’ They significantly add, in referring to the three Braconid parasites, ^'The host maggot must therefore be near the surface of the fruit in order to be within reach of the parasite. Consequently in fleshy fruits which afford an opportunity for maggots to burrow some distance beneath the skin parasitism is low, whereas in small fruits and those containing a large seed covered by thin pulp, where the maggots are necessarily always near the outer surface of the fruit, parasitism is high.” The fourth parasite, a Chalcid, can reach the fruit fly maggots only through a break in the skin and its usefulness in commercial orchards must obviously be restricted to fleshy fruits, the skin of which breaks readily | when the fruit falls to the ground. f Bach and Pemberton^^ were associated with the attempt to control the jMediterranean fruit fly by the introduction of natural enemies to Hawaii, in which country the pest was first recorded in June, 1910. The introductions from Africa took place between May, 1913, and October, 1914, and v/riting in 1918 these two investigators state “Since adult fruit flies can live many months and lay eggs quite regularly, they have been able, with the aid of the unprecedented variety and abundance of host fruits in Hawaii thus far to keep such an ascendency over their parasites that they cause the infestation of practically all fruits ripening. It would appear that unless effective pupal and egg parasites are intro- duced, or more care is given to the elimination of host fruits which more thoroughly protect the larvae from parasite attack, or to the planting of fruits which make possible the reproduction of large numbers of para- sites, little practical value will result from the work of the parasites from the standpoint of rendering host fruits free from attack ’ ’ ; and again they state “In Kona, Hawaii, where the percentage of parasitism in coffee berries has been phenomenally high for three years, it has not been high enough to free more than an occasional berry from attack.” This must conclude my review of the fruit fly problem in the State, a problem to which I have given a good proportion of my available time partly because it is a definitely important one, and partly because many, if not ail, of you, have some personal knowledge of the fruit fly. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 13 It is a problem in which we have made a considerable amount of progress, but it is one in which we have not yet achieved a wholly satisfactory solution. We claim, however, that we have probably made as much progress with our fruit fly problem as has been made in the attack on -other permanently established species of fruit flies overseas. Woolly Apple Aphis. Let us now pass to the consideration of another important deciduous fruit pest, namely the woolly apple aphis. As many of you are prob- ably unacquainted with this species, I might mention that it is a very small sap-sucking insect feeding in enormous numbers in colonies on the roots and branches of apple trees. The vernacular name has refer- ence to the insect ’s habit of covering its body with long waxy threads. Infested trees are very seriously impaired in health if severely attacked bj^ this insect, a characteristic reaction to infestation being the produc- tion of large unsightly excrescences where the colonies have been feeding. The control of this serious pest has been attempted and successfully achieved along three distinct lines and it is accordingly a good example for present purposes. The flrst attempt at control was in the direction of eliminating infestation of the root system, the attempt, which was crowned with complete success, being initiated in Victoria in 1868.^® This attempt was suggested by a reference in Lindley ’s ^ ^ Guide to the Orchard, ’ ’ in which attention is drawn to the fact that an old apple tree growing at Norwich in England remained conspicuously free from woolly apple aphis infesta- tion above ground, thus being in marked contrast to the neighbouring trees which were all more or less severely attacked. The tree had been grafted at a height of three feet, the graft being Winter Majetin, the whole of which remained completely free from attack. Trees of this variety were accordingly imported from England and were used as root stocks in experiments during the years 1868 to 1870. As was hoped would be the case those root stocks remained free from infestation. Experiments were also conducted with Northern Spy root stock and these were similarly successful. The problem of the control of the root infesta- tion was thus solved by the introduction of resistent root stocks, and it is pleasant to be able to record the fact that Australia pioneered the work in this direction, the innovation being one which was soon followed by California and other large fruit-producing countries. The problem of the above ground infestation still remained to be solved and eventually, with the introduction and increased popularity of nicotine sulphate, it was generally dealt with by the use of that insecti- cide. The position was appreciably improved by the use of nicotine sulphate, but it was by no means wholly satisfactory because efficient control could be achieved only by frequent applications of the spray, thus involving the orchardist in a very considerable expenditure of both time and money. Furthermore, the spray applications had mostly to be made at a time when the orchardist was at his busiest harvesting and packing fruit. It therefore not infrequently happened that the applica- tions were not made as systematically as should have been the case and effective control was accordingly not achieved. Such was the position until 1923, when a colony of a small wasp parasite {Apheliniis mali Ilald.) was obtained from New Zealand by Jarvis^^ and liberated in the Stanthorpe district. The parasite multi- plied rapidly and was soon distributed throughout the whole of the 14 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND. various sections of the district. It has since functioned as a highly efficient control factor during the months in which insect propagation is normally at its peak. It has thus been possible to reduce the number of spray applications from six or seven annually to two — one in spring and the other in late autumn. Thus we see that root infestation has been controlled by the use of resistant root stocks, the above ground infestation has been largely held in check by the introduction of a parasite and spray applications have been reduced from six or seven per annum to, at most, two. I think we are therefore justified in regarding the woolly apple aphis problem as one which has been well nigh solved. Cattle Poisoning Sawfly. The insect to which I now desire to draw your attention is the cattle poisoning sawfiy which differs in two important respects from those already dealt with. Firstly, it is really a stock pest, being of import- ance only as a result of the losses of cattle associated with its presence in certain of our pastoral areas, and secondly, it is an instance of a native species which was of no economic importance in the early days of settlement, but which is now a menace to cattlemen in three important cattle-raising areas. Perhaps it might interest you to know just why this insect is of economic importance and for that reason I shall give you a brief outline of its association with cattle. Its larvae feed on the leaves of the silver- leaf ironbark {Eucalypius melanophloia F.v.M.) and are particularly abundant in the Maranoa, Warrego, and Leichhardt districts. They feed voraciously on the leaves, and in those districts in which cattle fatalities occur the larval population is frequently greatly in excess of the avail- able food supply in the shape of silver-leaf ironbark foliage. With the progress of defoliation the larvge each day drop to the ground in increas- ing numbers, partly to escape Ihe high sun temperatures to which they are increasingly exposed as a result of the progressive defoliation of the host trees, and partly as a result of hunger following on the decrease of food supplies. In the cool of the evening, however, the movement is reversed, and many lavrsQ return to the feeding trees. Koberts^® has pointed out that many soon become too weak to continue the daily upward and downward movement and they die in great masses at the foot of the trees wliere they form putrid heaps. Now in iiortions of the districts mentioned the cattle feed with avidity on the living and dead sawfiy larvse and even on the black putrid decaying heaps. Following the ingestion of the decaying larvae the cattle are described by Koberts as being affected in the following manner. ‘‘They become excited and walk with a high stepping gait in front, and a straggling gait behind and if startled will charge fiercely. ’ ’ Death may occur within fort^^-eight hours of the appearance of the symptoms and the affected cattle seem to suffer acutely. It has been suggested that death may be due to the presence of a toxin produced by bacterial infection of the heaps of decayed larvae and that the living larvae may be eaten with impunity. Such is the problem constituted by the cattle poisoning sawfly, and having stated the problem the next question is, what are we going to do about it? I think it is obvious that direct control of the insect itself is out of the question, for most of the land involved has such a low capital PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 15 value as to preclude expenditure on spraying even if an effective spray ■and spray plant were available. It has therefore been considered neces- sary to attack this problem from quite