29 Calls on R. W. Peters, Cotton Section, Dept. of Agriculture, and formerly director of Queensland Acclimatization Spciety. Also Dr. D. A. Herbert, Prof. of Botany and acting head of Biology Dept. at the University. Saw L. J. Webb, Division of Plant Industry, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (Sommonwealth), who is carrying out a survey of the Queensland flora for alkaloids. An able fellow who, since 1944, has spot-tested over 1500 species. Rainforest plants especially promising; 20% pf northern spp. have yielded alkaloids and at least 10% of the spp. have yielded appreciable quantities. A startling new alkaloid, one of the most toxic known, has been isolated from Cryptocarya pleurosperma. Starting work on a new "anti-cancer plant" project. Webb showed me copy of a letter which Dr. C. Barnard, Chief, CSIR Div. of Plant Industry, wrote the Commonwealth Government last September, suggesting that we be asked to contribute a set of Cape York herbarium material to the Canberra herbarium, and cooperate with the CSIR by collecting plant materials for alkaloid spot-testing. Apparently the suggestion was not approved by Canberra, for we heard nothing of it in the U.S. As phrased it did look a bit stiff. A twig the size of a herbarium specimen, and a small piece of bark, are all the requirements for an alkaloid spot-test. The project is one purely for the benefit of humanity and should be helped. Have therefore offered to send Webb some materials, chiefly of a few of the families that have been found most promising (Rubiaceae), Rutaceae, Lauraceae, etc.). Friday Jan. 23: A long business day started with a visit to Victoria Barracks to return to McBride a copy of the October "Walkabout" containing an illustrated article on Cape York Peninsula by Whitehouse. Had it on loan from the officer's mess. At Dept. of Agriculture left with Peters, in absence of the chief of experiment stations, a packet of seeds of the Mwera Hill dwarf-bush tomato from Nyasaland (gift from the New York Botanical Garden). Also talked with Wells, chief of Cotton Section; an American who organized his section and has been here over 20 years. Wells interested in getting seeds of Gossypium Sturtii for breeding experiments. Says it is known from the west side of Gulf of Carpentaria and might grow on Cape York. Doubt this, as it is a plant of dry central Australia. Called on Mr. C. O'Leary, Director of Native Affairs and had a fruitful talk with him. Says the various tribes or divisions of the C.M. aboriginal population are now at peace with each other. Natives on one district are no longer afraid of being speared or having a bone pointed at them when they go into strange territory. Therefore recommends that we select a few good boys on the Tip, sign them on, and take them with us right through the trip. Also believes I could get a Torres Straits islander for my own assistant. These suggestions are well worth consideration. It would be a great advantage to have permanent black boys trained to collect and understanding our ways and objects. The consensus of opinion confirms my own that it will be no easy to get a suitable white assistant for my work. (The applicants writing for jobs do not promise well, although two have had biological training). O'Leary will instruct his Thursday Island office (Percy Jensen, Proftector of Islanders) to assist by getting us boys and providing transport. Government launch transport between T. L. and the mainland would save us considerable expense. O'Leary was formerly stationed in the Torres Straits islands. Is therefore a practical man. Estimates an "abo" population of about 2000, north of Cooktown on the Peninsula. Practically all are in contact with one or other of the missions on the coast. The two missions farthest north - Cowal Creek and Mutee - are under direct control by Government; the west coast missions are Presbyterian, the one mission on the far east coast