170 AuDAS, Wanderings in East Gippsland. [^'^Vaif^^'' 



schistes chrysophthalmus, and Usnea barbata, var. scabrida, which 

 have caused considerable damage and destroyed much of the 

 beautiful vegetation. The by-waters were covered by the green 

 veil of fresh-water algae, and struggling through the openings of 

 which could be seen Myriophyllimi variiioliiim (water milfoil), 

 a partially submerged plant of the Halorage;e, and at the water's 

 edge tempting water-cress grew luxuriantly. Hidden in this 

 secluded valley, the birds flitted about in security. I noticed 

 the pretty little blue wrens, fantails, tomtits, robins, rosellas, 

 and wattle-birds, while a large owl surveyed the scene solemnly 

 from the topmost branch of an adjacent gum-tree. I thought 

 it was early for martins, but a good many were flying about, 

 as also were many swallows. 



By making a detour, I was able to rejoin the course of the 

 Buchan River some five miles further on, and followed it back 

 to the township. Along this stream— like many other Vic- 

 torian rivers — wattles predominated, but here Acacia decurrens, 

 var. mollissirna, a variety of the Black Wattle, was not in bloom, 

 and would not attain its full glory until nearly Christmas. A 

 few nice specimens of Olearia [Aster) stellidata, Snow-bush, were 

 growing near the water's edge, and its corymbs of pure white 

 flowers made a mass of white. The Silky Tea- tree, or Manuka, 

 Leptospermitm pnbescens, was just past flowering. About three 

 miles out I came upon a few nice specimens of the Snow Gum, 

 Eucalyptus pauciflora, the fruit capsules being much larger than 

 usual. The introduced spotted thistle, Carduus Marian us, grew 

 thickly on the flats near the river. The pretty pink flowers of 

 Convolvulus erubescens made the green sloping banks lovely to 

 behold, and in places I found quantities of the pretty blue- 

 flowered Erodium cygnorum, with a native composite, Cymbo- 

 notiis Lawsonianus, which bears a great resemblance to the 

 introduced Cape Weed, Cryptostemma calendulaceuni. For some 

 distance along the river were beautiful willows, which should, 

 to a great extent, prevent the erosion of the banks during floods. 

 The water lizards, Physignathus lesneurii, were very numerous 

 along^ the banks, and it was very interesting to see them diving 

 and swimming away. Platypus made their homes along the 

 stream, their burrows being \ery numerous ; but these animals 

 arc of so timid a nature that one is rarely rewarded by seeing 

 them. Rows of cormorants, perched upon the willows in the 

 form of a pyramid, were watching for fish. The familiar mud- 

 lark and the peculiar, distinctive cry of the plover, disturbed 

 by my approach, was heard all the way along. One very large 

 Eaglehawk flew overhead, jnu-sued by crying magpies. 



On the i8th I started on a trip to the Snowy River basin, in 

 the direction of Mount M'Leod, some fourteen miles distant, 

 and, having a light conveyance and smart pair of horses, was 



