Vol. XXVII. 

 igii 



l Barnard, A Day on Mount Disappointment. 229 



before from a locality in the north-eastern portion of the 

 State. Pimelea ctirvi flora was growing on the bank hard by, 

 noticeable from the waxy appearance of the flowers, and their 

 somewhat unpleasant smell when crushed. As we journeyed 

 along the aqueduct other rusts were secured on grasses, 

 lucerne, &c. The composite Erechtites grew abundantly here- 

 abouts, and, being the principal food plant of the larvae of the 

 Australian Admiral butterfly, Pyrameis ilea, beautiful specimens 

 of that insect were flying about, and a few larvae found on 

 making a search. 



The basin of the eastern Plenty, with its encircling hills, 

 was now in view, and speculations were indulged in as to the 

 whereabouts of our objective, the solving of which was the 

 problem in hand. The early morning effects seemed quite as 

 enchanting as those seen at the close of the day, and those 

 who have not yet seen this beauty spot have a treat in store. 

 Following the embankment of the reservoir, we crossed the 

 bye -wash, and immediately struck up the steep spur which 

 terminates abruptly there. From the examination of maps, 

 I had learned that the crest of this spur formed the boundary 

 of the water reserve, and had been informed that it led right 

 up to Mt. Disappointment, or Scaffold Hill, as it is locally 

 called. We soon found signs of an old road used in the paling- 

 splitting days, and, later, the boundary fence of the reserve. 

 This we thought it would be prudent to follow, but little did 

 we think it would be our friend and guide for the rest of the 

 trip. 



Bearing north-westerly through a stunted growth of young 

 gum saplings struggling to grow in the hard, parched soil along 

 with young Cassinias (Composit^e), &c., our fence led us 

 gradually upwards, and in an hour's time we found ourselves 

 faced with the ascent of One-Tree Hill, marked '' Cleared Hill " 

 on the Geological Survey map (3 N.E.) This is a prominent 

 object from Whittlesea ; but, instead of being a cleared or a 

 *' one-tree " hill, it is now covered with a dense growth of tall, 

 straight, fairly young trees, through the centre of which a 

 slight break seemed to run. This was our fence. Should we 

 follow it, or should we go round through the scrub ? We 

 determined to stick to our guide, and, taking the abrupt rise 

 in easy stages, reached the top, perhaps 500 feet above the 

 lake below. The day was rather hazy, but by means of the 

 field-glass we were able to pick out the well-known " Pinemont " 

 at Ringwood, some 25 miles away. The Yan Yean itself, and 

 the lower country, was spread out like a map, and, though we 

 could not make out any of the prominent objects of Melbourne, 

 we felt that we had already got some return for our trouble. 



The descent on the other side was of short duration, and 



