THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 139 



yet in bloom, and which may yet prove new to Victoria, as it was 

 unknown to any of the party. The pretty little Utricularia 

 dichotoma and U. lateriflora grew about here ; and on the whole, 

 the Frankston and Mount Eliza districts are, as collecting 

 grounds for plants, equalled by very few places in Victoria. On 

 the way to the station we noticed many' plants of Gahina, 

 Schcenus, Comesperma ericinium and C. calymega, Xyris, Lepto- 

 carpus, Juncus, and a host of other small plants. In the moist 

 flats the elegant shrub Viminaria denudata was very common. 

 A couple of specimens of Pieris teutonia, the common Caper 

 Butterfly, were taken ; and whilst one friend was lamenting the 

 fact of our not having seen even an ant, he having by accident 

 put his hand on a jumping ant (Myrmeca) whilst taking a wasp 

 from the nest, became suddenly aware of the presence of an old 

 friend in the form of a "jumper" of considerable activity. The 

 clouds were now gathering around us, and over seawards 

 lightning flashes were most vivid, and for a while we were 

 expecting a regular drenching ; the storm, however, passed over 

 Cranbourne way. The sun was now obscured, but a hot dry 

 wind made matters very unpleasant, and after a stroll on the pier 

 we got into the train and reached Melbourne in good time, 

 having had one of the most disappointing trips of the year. 

 Those who perhaps wisely decided not to face what after all 

 proved to be the hottest day of the season, had no reason what- 

 ever to feel disappointed. Mr. Hart left us at Brighton, and, as 

 might be expected, the leader landed the remainder of the party 

 s ifely in Melbourne at about 7 o'clock. — C. French. 



EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG. 



December 3rd was the date set apart for the excursion to Heidel 

 berg in search of pond life, and glorious weather invited a good 

 attendance ; yet only eight, of whom two were ladies, essayed the 

 trip. On reaching the station we decided to make at once for the 

 River Yarra, and the first casts for specimens were made on the 

 southern side of the bridge which crosses the Yarra at this spot. 

 Plenty of tadpoles and a few Rotifers were captured, and then a 

 remove to the other side of the bridge, under the welcome shade 

 of the willow trees, brought us to a veritable treasure house. 

 Leeches, freshwater Planarians, Hydra and Rotifera were clearly 

 visible, and a hand lens showed further that a great many forms 

 of Vorticellidse and other Ciliata, together with Heliozoa, were 

 present. Subsequent examination of the material carried home 

 revealed the presence of many representatives of the Vorticellida*. 

 Thus Vorticella microstoma, a solitary form, was very plentiful ; 

 as was also V. nebidifera, a social variety. Among the colonial 

 forms Carchesium, with its contractile stalk, and Epistylis, with its 



