drawing

Fiery flowers of the silky oak, Grevillea robusta. Silky oaks are older than dinosaurs and literally drip nectar – but watch out for the cyanide. Of all the grevillea, the silky oak is the one that catches my eye. It’s the largest and tallest of the species, reaching up to 30 meters. They’re now blooming along the east coast and in some inland places – like huge orange light bulbs dominating the skyline. Grevilleas literally drip nectar, much to the delight of native birds and bees. Aboriginal people enjoyed the sweet nectar straight from the plant or mixed with water — the original lolly water. But you have to know which species to taste as some, including the silky oak, contain hydrogen cyanide that could make you ill. Like other grevilleas the silky oak also contains tridecyl resorcinol, which causes an allergic reaction leading to contact dermatitis. The chemical is similar to the toxicodendron in poison ivy. Silky oak timber was widely used in colonial times. Then it was marketed as “lacewood”, and that name persists today among some who use it. Source: theconversation.com/silky-oaks-are-older-than-dinosaurs-a...

Quinine Berry (Petalostigma triloculare) Also known as Long-leaved Bitter Bark, this attractive large shrub to 3–5 m is found naturally along the edge of our local rainforests and in moist gullies in eucalypt woodland. The Quinine Berry has glossy dark green elliptical leaves (which are greyish below) and is one of the host plants for the beautiful Copper Jewel butterfly (Hypochrysops apelles). The creamy fragrant flowers borne in summer are followed by bright orange (inedible) fruits. This is a hardy open shrub that will tolerate most soils. It grows best in full sun, but will tolerate some shade, and benefits from mulching. As well as being an important butterfly host plant, the attractive orange fruits that are held for long periods make this a useful feature specimen for any sized garden. Source: samfordcommons.org.au/quinine-berry-petalostigma-trilocul...(inedible)%20fruits.

Lantern slide technique used by the artist.

Gustavus Charles Cornwall has a bit of a story ... www.postalmuseum.org/blog/gustavus-cornwall/

www.historypin.org/en/explore/pin/1045295/
comeheretome.com/2018/11/16/the-dublin-castle-scandal-188...

beachcomber australia Thank you! Your postalmuseum blog link certainly explains why Mr Cornwell featured in this May 1884 United Ireland supplement.

... Things changed in May 1884 when ‘United Ireland’ published two articles relating to Cornwall. In the first article published on 10 May 1884 the newspaper alleged that Cornwall was associated with James Ellis French (head of the Criminal Investigation Department at Dublin Castle) and challenging him to bring a libel action against the publication. ‘United Ireland’ had previously published articles alluding to French’s sexual relationships. In response to that article French had lost a libel case. By associating Cornwall with French, ‘United Ireland’ was implying that Cornwall was involved in the same offences as French. The second article, published on 24 May 1884 referred to communication from Cornwall’s Solicitors threatening legal action...

beachcomber australia CASSIDY PHOTOGRAPHY I have to say that I didn't see that coming! Given the name of the publication I thought that he might have been one of those English people who supported and espoused the cause for Irish self determination. How times had changed and how times have changed in the meantime!

beachcomber australia [Huge Aside, or in this case Huge Backside]
That blog is tremenjus! They have a great article about English saucy seaside postcards. George Orwell (while reviewing Donald McGill's postcard art) wrote that "On the whole, human beings want to be good, but not too good, and not quite all the time"!