South Australian Museum

Abstract

AMONG the scientific papers mentioned in the report of the South Australian Museum for the period July in 1944, to June 30, 1945 (Adelaide, 1945) is one by H. Womersley, “Acarina of Australia and New Guinea. Family Leeuwenhoekiidæ ” (Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Australia, 69, (1), 96). Mr. Womersley has published several other papers on the Acarina in the Records of the South Australian Museum, notably, in collaboration with Dr. W. G. Heaslip, on the Trombiculinse or itch mites, certain species of which have been responsible for scrub-typhus and scrub-itch among troops operating in New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. The taxonomic research on these has been centred in the South Australian Museum. Numerous specimens of Trom-biculinae were collected by Dr. Heaslip in North Queensland, and by Dr. C. M. Gunther in New Guinea during their researches upon typhus fevers during the war period. It is reported that the Board has had under consideration the possibility of post-war extension of the Museum. The present congestion of both exhibition and storage space is acute, and it is now felt that the condition endangers the proper conservation of the collections, many of which are of a unique character and of inestimable value. The report also refers to needs in respect of the Museum's educational work, especially that connected with visiting school-classes. Hitherto the greater part of this service has fallen upon members of the scientific and technical staffs ; but it is now felt that the position results in the inadequate employment of specialized qualifications. The situation could be relieved if the Education Department were to appoint two special teachers to act in co-operation with the Museum staff and to take charge of the school classes. It is pointed out that a similar arrangement is in operation in other Australian museums and that it has proved highly successful.