158 Paton, The Buffalo Plateau in January. fvoi^^xxxiv 



dicular, others sloping walls. Outside " The Galleries " we 

 gain a distant view of the " Leviathan Rock." Resuming our 

 journey, we pass through " Dingo Dell," and arrive at the 

 " Leviathan Rock," said to be the largest detached rock in 

 Australia (or the world), and to weigh 30,000 tons. Its mass 

 is certainly immense. Here was a fine specimen of Clematis 

 aristata, also bushes of Grevillea VictoricF, but with only one 

 or two flowers. Further on the " Kissing Stones " were 

 pointed out — two boulders which have so fallen as to support 

 each other in the attitude of osculation. We pass close to 

 the " Cathedral " and " The Hump," a remarkal^de mass, the 

 " Cathedral " rising clear above the \'egetation, and apparently 

 unscalable. Further on still we are shown the " Balanced 

 Egg," whicli, to use the guide's expression, " defies gravity." 

 Here, in a valley, Claytonia australasica and Cardamine dictyo- 

 sperma were collected. Sundry other imaginative resemblances 

 are pointed out, notably the " cannon " on " Cannon Hill." 

 After lunching at the foot of " The Horn," we commence 

 the ascent by a well-marked track winding round to the 

 southern face, where we get a view of the precipitous wall of 

 the Plateau, and a foretaste of the views from the top. 

 Emerging from the vegetation, our path is between and over 

 piled rocks devoid of soil. Steps are cut in the rock, and the 

 top is railed. Here we enjoy the glorious view from an elevation 

 of 5,645 feet. Mountain and plain are spread out like a map. 

 Kosciusko, ninety miles away to the east, is visible, and Mount 

 Macedon, about 130 miles to the south-west, is said to be visible 

 on a clear day. Descending by a different track, we viewed the 

 remarkable " Wall of China," on the south face of " The Horn." 

 Here was collected the rare Acipliylla glacialis, in fruit. Other 

 plants which were flowering here, though done at the lower 

 elevation of The Chalet, were Boronia algida, Oreomyrrhis 

 andicola, Hovea heterophylla, Olcaria stellnlata (small variety), 

 and DiancUa. Tasmanica (\'ery fine). Large numbers of 

 " Bogong Moths " were noted in a cre\'ice between the rocks. 

 We returned by the same road, the guide lieguiling the way 

 with more or less authentic anecdotes of past tourists. 



Later in the day we visited the " underground river," a 

 stream flowing through a narrow ravine whicli has apparently 

 become blocked up by the descent of boulders from the hill- 

 sides, completely roofing over the stream, which flows between 

 their interstices. Entering the cavern where the water emerges, 

 the explorer descends into almost Stygian darkness. Holding 

 a guttering candle-end, he works his way over slippery rocks, 

 deafened by the roaring waters, and in imminent danger of a 

 " ducking." Reaching an opening l)etWL'eii the rocks, he is 



