240 MR. LAWRENCE’S EXCURSION. 
The middle lake is two or three miles long, but the only one 
worth seeing is the largest, which measures from twenty 
to thirty miles in circumference. Its eastern shore is 
shallow for a long way in, and somewhat resembles an open 
sea-shore, from the rocks being worn down by the waves, 
which, no doubt, roll very strong in windy weather, and from 
the collection of a sand bank inland. 
. January 20. (Thermometer 42°, ‘70°; at Formosa, ‘70°, 
73°). At about 11 o'clock, after having shifted and packed 
up our specimens, we made our way in a N. West direction, 
towards the peaks, two conical eminences, above 500 feet 
above the summit of the Flat-topped mountains. We col- 
lected seeds of the Cedar tree (Eucalyptus sp.) and shot two 
kangaroos in the course of the morning. A few uncommon 
plants also rewarded our researches. In the afternoon we 
reached the foot of the highest peak, and erected our tent 
near a plentiful supply of water. The wind blew cold from 
the eastward. 
. January 91. (Thermometer 42°, 60°, 44^; at Formosa, 
68°.) Previously to ascending the peak, we arranged the 
specimens collected yesterday. In our ramble upon the 
peak, we found Gualtheria hispida, and a new plant, probably 
belonging to the Genus Beckea: also a large quantity of 
Lomatia polymorpha, ‘The wind was high, and the thermo- 
meter fell 10°. There is abundance of Usnea sphacelata here; 
_ and if what I have been used to call by this name is the true 
plant, its distribution is universal over this island, from the 
lowest to the highest altitudes I have visited. On approaching 
the summit we found it to be so very precipitous, and the wind 
so exceedingly high and cold, that I was myself unable to 
ascend further, though I made several attempts; Mr. Curson, 
however, and my gardener reached the top. 
January 22. (Thermometer 419; at Formosa, 63°.) A 
considerable fall of snow took place during the night. After 
packing our specimens, we prepared to descend. From the 
Flat-topped mountains we descried a gulley, which appeared 
to take the desired direction, and determined on following t 
