^Y''] Excursion to National Park. 169 



open slopes, were exceptionally large, and several were noticed 

 with flower-spikes up to 15 feet high. One, growing close by 

 the creek, showed seven crowns and four tall flower-spikes 

 on a single butt, and it was by no means uncommon to see 

 exami)les with two, three, and four crowns. 



Leaving the creek, we decided to return along a s])ur of the 

 range and strike the track to the camp where we had turned 

 back the previous day. As we ascended, the views over the 

 eastern side of the Park and the Inlet were exceptionally fine. 

 From one point a good view of the ocean was obtained, with 

 Cliffy Island and those adjacent standing out clearly. From 

 here, also, we had a good view of Bull Plains, lying in close to 

 the foot of Mount Vereker, and apjiearing in the distance as 

 a well-grassed i)lain. The stiff climb up the steep side of the 

 range was accomj)lished, but not without a severe struggle, 

 and we reached camp about 6 o'clock. 



After tea we found a pleasant surprise awaiting us. Small 

 l)lots of ground had been prepared on either side of the tiack 

 in the vicinity of the camp, and it was arranged that each 

 member of the i)arty should plant one of the young trees 

 })ro\i(led. It was also insisted that each member should 

 stake, label, and water their own particular plant. Mr. 

 Pitcher acted as master of the ceremony, and supervised the 

 proceedings. The leader of the excursion was invited to plant 

 the first — a Sunshine Wattle, Acacia discolor — immediately 

 opposite the camp. As each planting was completed the 

 chief actor in each case made some approj^riate remarks suited 

 to the occasion, which was followed by three hearty cheers. 

 In this way thirteen young native trees were planted, and the 

 unicjue ceremony, which naturally occui)ied some time, closed 

 with an extra volley of cheers for Professor Ewart and Mr. 

 Pitcher, who, by their happy forethought, added so much 

 to the enjoyment of the camp. An adjournment was then 

 niade to the camp-lire, where an impromptu programme, in 

 which each member took a ]mrt, was carried through. 



Sunday, 29///. — Leaving three of our jiarty in camj), a visit 

 was made to Bull Plains, a locality which apjiealed to us on 

 the previous day. On this trij) we struck down the range on 

 the south of our camj), following the sjnir u}) which we elimlxxi 

 the ])revious day, and then struck off south. From the start 

 our journey was very rough, as we had to travel through heavy 

 undergrowth, and, for a time, among scattered boulders. 

 Crossing the first small creek — one of the two branches which 

 enter Barry's Creek lower down— we crossed the iilain, which 

 we found to b(> tliirkly covered with stunted shrubs of Hanksi;i, 

 liakea, Fpacris, and the small grass-tree, *S:c., with here and 



