THK VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 23 



V. (1878), pp. 44 to 70, contains the report of Mr. R. A. F. 

 Murray on part of the Mt. Wellington district. His observations 

 extended from Maffra in the south-east, north along the Avon 

 River to the east of Mt. Wellington to Mt. Kent, and from the 

 south-west at Moondara, northwards to the west of Walhalla, as 

 far north as Mt. Skene. The following mountain peaks are 

 included in the region examined: — Ben Cruachan, 2,765 feet; 

 Mt. Useful, 4,750 feet; Connor's Plain, 5,500 feet; Mt. Skene, 

 The Crinoline, 4,500 feet; Mt. Tamboritha, 5,381 feet; Mt. 

 Wellington, 5,363 feet; Mt. Kent, 5,128 feet. A sketch 

 geological map to accompany the report was issued in 1884, and 

 is a good guide to any traveller in these parts. 



Later investigation of some of the more inaccessible parts will 

 render some slight alterations in the geological features necessary ; 

 but, considering that it is probably more than thirty years since 

 Mr. Murray traversed the area, it is marvellous how carefully he 

 has delineated the topographical and geographical features of such 

 a rough country. 



Dr. A. W. Howitt made numerous visits to parts of this area, 

 and in company with Mr. Murray examined Snowy Bluff, over- 

 looking the Wonnangatta River, where a fine series of sedimentary 

 and associated igneous rocks is shown. 



It was through Dr. Howitt that the existence of a small, 

 interesting mountain lake, lying in a deep valley on the north- 

 western slope of Mt. Wellington, was made known to the general 

 public. The lake was discovered by a stockman named Snowden 

 in 1886, and was afterwards visited several times by Howitt. In 

 December, 1890, Messrs. Lucas, Dendy, and Howitt visited the 

 lake, and gave an interesting account of their trip before this 

 Club in February, 1891 (Vici. Nat., viii., p. 17). Numerous 

 incidents recorded in their accouut give some idea of the nature 

 of travelling in that rocky and mountainous district. 



The desire to further investigate the lake and the surrounding 

 country was the main object of the present trip. The party 

 consisted of Mr. A. O. Thiele, of Williamstown, Mr. A. E. Thiele, 

 of Doncaster, and myself Mr. W. Reid, of Glenmaggie, was 

 engaged to supply both riding and pack horses, and to go himself 

 to act as guide and look after the horses. Train was taken to Hey- 

 field, and after driving seven miles to Glenmaggie the horses were 

 obtained, and a start was made on Wednesday, 4th January, 1905. 

 The route has been well described by Howitt's party, so that the 

 experiences and observations of the first part of the journey, 

 though interesting, must be passed over here. After two days' 

 travelling, first along the Macallister, and next along the Welling- 

 ton River, the junction of the main stream with a branch coming 

 in on the left bank was reached. This tributary stream is unfor- 

 tunately locally known as the right branch, but is in reality a left 

 branch, as Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., kindly pointed out to one of the 



