194 Excursion to Healesville. [ "^p^^^ij 



eight, they started, accompanied by Mr. Artluir Kay as 

 guide, for the chmb of Mount St. Leonard, a distance of 

 about tliree miles, and an ascent of about i,8oo feet. No 

 definite track exists, but by making use of an overgrown 

 timber shde, and pushing their way tlirough a dense growth 

 of Aster stellulafiis and Cassinia aculeatum, they reached an 

 old paling-getters' road, marked on the maps, but long dis- 

 used. From there cattle-tracks through the bracken and 

 Senecio were followed to a very welcome spring. As they 

 ascended fine views opened up of the lower country, but. owing 

 to haze, Ringwood was the limit in a westerly direction. After 

 the bracken belt a stony (dacite) area was entered, covered 

 with large fallen trees. They were now on the crest of the 

 ridge, about a mile south of the summit. Here were seen some 

 very fine Prostantheras, which were in better condition than 

 those in the lower country, and the entomologists were 

 gladdened by the sight of numerous specimens of that beautiful 

 butterfly. Papilio madeayanus, flying tantalizinglv just out of 

 reach of the net ; however, when the top was reached, and 

 more time could be given to the quest, at least a dozen specimens 

 were captured, while many others were missed. There was 

 nothing remarkable about the vegetation on the top, the only 

 plant of note being a specimen of the Native Pepper, Drimys 

 aromatica, which, with its fresh green leaves and deep crimson- 

 red stems, made a pleasing contrast to the grey stones of the 

 low cairn close by which it was growing. The panoramic view 

 from the top was very fine, and, though the landscape west of 

 Ringwood was still shrouded in haze, all the intermediate 

 country, with its townships, roads, streams, hills, &c., was 

 spread out like a map. The height of St. Leonard is given 

 as 3,304 feet, and its peaked form makes it a splendid look-out. 

 The view extended from Mount Blackwood round to Mount 

 Buller, near Mansfield, 120 miles apart, with a fine view of the 

 Watts valley winding round the flanks of Juliet. An hour was 

 spent securing photographs, and then descending, more rapidly 

 than the ascent had been made in the morning, the cool waters 

 of Myers Creek were reached by 2.30, and the climbers took 

 the opportunity of a paddle and a splash to cool their heated 

 bodies. Leaving soon after four. Healesville was reached in 

 ample time for the evening train, though time was spent securing 

 seedlings on the way down." 



Mr. Kershaw who devoted his attention princi]ialh- to 

 entomology, says : — " The most interesting capture was a 

 specimen of the blue butterfly Candalidcs ahsimilis, Feld., which 

 was taken on the extreme summit of Mount St. Leonard. 

 Although common in New South Wales and Queensland, it is 

 very rarely met with in \'ictoria. My ])re\ious captures were 



