194 O'DoNOGHUE AND Sx. JoHX, AloHg the Levderderg. [^^'^peb!^'' 



Silurian beds, we followed the course of the river for some con- 

 : iderable distance before we determined to ascend to the crest 

 of the range to the south-west. Close to the water's edge, 

 W estringia glabra, Goodenia ovata, PultencBa daphnoides, Calli- 

 stemon saligmts, and Pomaderris racemosa were the most common. 

 Some years ago the beautiful Prostanthera rohmdifolia and 

 Indigofera Australis grew profusely hereabouts. Careful search 

 failed to reveal a single specimen of the ]\lint Bush, and but a 

 few isolated growths of the latter. 



On breasting the slope we found it more or less barren as 

 regards herbage. A few tufts of Wallaby Grass, Danthonia 

 penicillata, occurred, with numerous specimens of Senecio laittus^ 

 Tillcea vertictllata and the succulent Calandriana {Claytonia) 

 calyphrata. Higher up Veronica perfoliata, Dianella revohtta, 

 the acacias A. pycnantha and A. acinacea, Marianthus procum- 

 bens, Gassinia aculeata, and the orchid Galadenia carnea, were 

 in evidence. 



Resting on the hill-side, and glancing across the V-shaped 

 valley, the precipitous ranges rose in rounded outline, hill behind 

 hill, clothed from base to apex with various species of eucalypts. 

 Here and there amid the sombre green investure blotches of 

 yellow proclaimed the presence of Acacia acinacea or Pultencea 

 daphnoides. Still higher up, Pseiidanthus ovalifolius was met 

 with, and the numerous weathered specimens abounding proved 

 that the locality was not a congenial one. This Euphorbiaceous 

 plant has a I'mited range, and, therefore, is seldom collected. 

 Plants of both sexes were found in a limited area, the pistil- 

 late plant being distinguished from the staminate by its larger 

 leaves. The various species of Eucalyptus dwarfed as the 

 elevation increased, and when the crest was gained few were 

 more than shoulder high, and of no great diameter, but 

 indisputable evidence was available to attest the fact that in 

 former years trees of large dimensions had existed at this spot. 

 Whether the present infertility of the crest on which they 

 grew is due to elevatory influence, to aridity induced by the 

 river cutting deeper into the valley, or to less congenial climatic 

 conditions, we leave others to decide. Gazing south, the 

 meandering course of the Lerderderg lay exposed to view^ 

 reach after reach of turbid water showing in a shingly setting. 

 The confining banks were margined in places by vegetation, 

 but for the most part by grassy flats of greater or less 

 extent, gradually merging into swelling sparsely timbered 

 uplands, on which numerous cattle depastured. The flats and 

 uplands, as far as delinite vision could range, were yellow with 

 the flowers of the Cape-weed. Mount Cotterell, near Rock- 

 bank, lay east by south, while far away to the east the 

 Dandenong Ranges showed hazy and indetinite. The gentle 



