168 THE VICTOKIAN NATUKALIST. [Vol. XXIV. 



among them being Mr. H. Tryon, the Government Entomologist 

 of Queensland, who was anxious to know something more of the 

 Fruit-fly restrictions in Victoria ; the Brisbane Field Naturalists' 

 Club also sent me an address of welcome. 



After leaving Brisbane, Bowen was the next port at which our 

 vessel — a large one for shallow water — was able to call, Rock- 

 hampton and Mackay having to be communicated with by tender. 

 Here we saw for the first time Cocoanut Palms lining the streets, 

 close to and facing the sea, and then in fruit. A short stay was 

 made here, and then a call was made at Townsville. Some few 

 miles out of the town are some fine specimens of the Mango and 

 other tropical trees, the whole place, however, having a dried and 

 parched appearance. Some very fine specimens of the gorgeous 

 Foinciana regia, one of the most strikingly beautiful of all 

 flowering trees, were to be seen in full bloom ; the magnificent 

 orange-scarlet blossoms may be seen for miles away. I was very 

 pleased to welcome some old Victorian friends (naturalists) — the 

 Gullivers — at this place. Townsville has quite a reputation for 

 heat and discomfort, so I was not sorry when we left it behind us. 

 (13 inches of raiii, however, has fallen here since our visit.) 



Proceeding on our journey, the scenery of this part of the 

 coast proved very interesting, especially so the numerous islands, 

 studded here and there with Hoop-Pines, Araucaria Cunning- 

 hami, growing in profusion, and crowning many of the hills to the 

 summits. The steamship at times passed quite close to several 

 of these pine-capped islands. 



Cairns was our next port, but before reaching it we passed on 

 the way the fine lofty peak of Mount Bellenden-Ker, 5,100 feet, 

 on the summit of which my cousin, Mr. W. Sayer, as will be 

 recollected, discovered the first Rhododendron, R. Lochce, F. 

 von M., recorded for Australia, and also the splendid Draco- 

 phyllum Sayeri, F. v. M., with Agapetes Meiniana, F. v. M., and 

 many other plants then new to Australia. Mount Bartle-Frere, 

 5,400 feet, also formed a splendid object as we saw it from the 

 vessel. 



Cairns is built on a very flat piece of country, being not more 

 than a few feet above sea level, while the bay is fringed with 

 mangroves. The main street of Cairns is celebrated for its um- 

 brageous trees, while all waste lands are covered with Vinca rosea 

 and the white variety of il. These, being in full bloom, formed 

 a most attractive picture, especially to one who had been accus- 

 tomed to seethe same plants grown only under glass. Here it is 

 a noxious weed and a scourge, just as are some of our weeds in 

 Victoria. In the streets of Cairns are some magnificent speci- 

 mens of Ficus, Bauhinias, Mangoes, and other fine tropical trees, 

 some of the former being over 30 feet across, and furnishing the 

 densest of shade, as will be seen by the plate. I have since 



