THIS VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 155 



vegetation became more and more gorgeous, and we noticed 

 plants in bud or in full bloom which lower down showed signs of 

 further advancement. Dianella tasmanica, with its dark blue 

 coloured flowers, GaiiUiera hispida, Styphelia montana, 

 and Grevillea parvijiora, which we found in fruit near the camp, 

 had there just expanded their flowers. 



On ascending the waterless slope which leads to the table-land 

 from which the Hump rises, we leave behind many of the bushes 

 which require a considerable amount of moisture in the soil. 

 Their place is worthily taken by bushes of one of our most 

 beautiful proteads, Grevillea victorue. The number of species in 

 these high altitudes (about 5,500 feet) becomes more and more 

 restricted ; but, on the other hand, development in the 

 splendour of flowers is gained. In the swamp which extends on 

 the southern side of the Hump we added to our collection 

 Astelia alpina and the dull purplish variety of the orchid 

 Chiloglottiii gunnii, blooming there in great masses, in dry soil ; 

 Gnaphalium alpigiueum, Micrantheum hexandrum, and Hovea 

 hetei'ophylla. The nearer we approached the Horn we met with 

 Bossicea foliosa richer in flower, lining our way on both sides with 

 its beautiful masses of yellow flowers, on which thousands of 

 insects found the table laid for their meal. 



Near the top of the mount on the warmer northern slope 

 we collected Hovea heterojyJiylla, Gaultiera hispida, Drimys 

 aromatica, Trachymene hillardieri, Brachycome scapijormis, B. 

 nivalis, and Aster stellulatus, ; while on the cooler southern side, 

 exposed to wind and weather, grew Aciphylla glacialis, a true 

 child of our alpine flora, enjoying there the eternal peace which 

 imparts that majestic character to the lofty altitudes of alpine 

 regions, where we can see expanding at our feet the proofs of the 

 creative power of nature during uncountable ages. 



The proposed trip along the Buffalo River over Mount Howitt 

 and Mount BuUer to Mansfield by Dr. Sutton, Mr. Gossler, and 

 myself was made impossible owing to the heavy rainfall during 

 Sunday and Monday. Being obliged to stay in camp for these 

 two days, we had ample time to busy ourselves with the collected 

 specimens and to take short rambles around the camp. During 

 these opportunities we observed Helichrysii^m stirlingii, which 

 has been known as a rare north-eastern plant, growing on the road 

 from Harrietville to Mount St. Bernard. In the Buffalo Moun- 

 tains it is far from rare, forming, in company with Gaultiera 

 hispida, Daviesia latifolia, Callistemon salignus, Lepiospermitin 

 scoparium, and Helichrysum rosmarinifolium, the undergrowth of 

 a fine forest, in the shade of which grew Helichrysum luciduni, 

 Hibberiia serpilli folia, //. difusa, Comesperma ericinum, 

 Eriostemon phylicifolius, E. trymalioides, Pultencaa gunnii, 

 and the orchids Gastrodia sesamoides and Caladenia carnea. 



