^,^^^1 Excursion to Kovhuperrimul Creek (Bacchus Marsh): 7 



out. We then climbed the slopes of Bald Hill, on the way 

 obtaining a fine view of the meanders of the stream, and in 

 one of its tributaries noting some large boulders, which had 

 been deposited by glacial action, exposed in the cut-down bank. 

 The Bald Hill freestone quarries were then visited, and some 

 of the rejected blocks of stone split open in search of impressions 

 of the ferns Gangamopteris spatulata, M'Co}^ and G. angusti- 

 folia, M'Coy, nice specimens of which were found. This free- 

 stone was glacially deposited, and has a binding of argillaceous 

 cement. It was used in the construction of the Chief 

 Secretary's office, Melbourne, but has not stood the city 

 atmosphere well ; however, in sheltered positions it wears 

 better. Some of the party then walked to the summit of the 

 hill, where a temporary trigonometrical station has recently 

 been erected, probably in connection with the military survey 

 of the State. From this flat, dome-shaped height a fine 

 panoramic view was obtained, mellowed by the waning day- 

 light. To the south the You Yangs and the nearer Brisbane 

 Range were visible ; in the west, over the Pentland Hills, were 

 Mounts Egerton and Steiglitz ; to the north-west the wooded 

 summit of Mount Blackwood stood out prominently in front 

 of the hills of the Dividing Range, while nearer at hand were 

 the Lerderderg Ranges ; to the north, between Mounts Bullen- 

 garook and Gisborne, could be seen Macedon and the Camel's 

 Hump ; to the east, in the foreground, was the Bacchus Marsh 

 basin, with the basaltic plains beyond, on which stood 

 numerous points of eruption. Mount Kororoit or Misery being 

 the most prominent. Returning to the quarry, a pause was 

 made to watch the Adelaide express laboriously climb the incline 

 from Rowsley towards Inghston — part of the big fault-scarp 

 already referred to — and then the return walk to the township 

 was commenced. It was almost dark by the time the town 

 was reached, when all were ready for tea, which was partaken 

 of in the park by moonlight. Leaving by train about 9 p.m., 

 Melbourne was reached in due course, all agreeing that a most 

 enjoyable and instructive day had been spent. — R. E. Luher. 



Household Pests. — In the Journal of Agriculture, Victoria, 

 for April, Mr. C. French, jun.. Government Entomologist, gives 

 some account of the depredations which may be caused to the 

 timbers of houses, furniture, &c., by the Furniture Beetle and the 

 Pin-hole Borer, two insects which have unfortunately become 

 very common in recent years. Bamboo furniture is especially 

 subject to their attacks, and should be watched. He gives some 

 hints as to the precautions to be taken to secure immunity from 

 attacks, and means to be adopted when the trouble is present. 



