170 Excursion to National Park. [v^^^xxix. 



there outcrops of granite. About mid-day we reached the 

 second creek — a good, clear stream, hidden among the usual 

 dense mass of ferns and other vegetation. Here we decided 

 to lunch and put in the two or three hours available in ex- 

 ploring the locality, while Professor Ewart and Mr. Audas 

 followed their usual programme of seed-planting. During 

 lunch we were much amused with the performance of two 

 lizards, Himilia quoyi, which, without the slightest indication 

 of fear, climbed on to the lap of one of the party and caught 

 numbers of flies as they settled. A good example of the 

 Hepialus eximea- — a green moth whose larvse feed in the wood 

 of small eucalypts, &c. — was taken, and imperfect specimens of 

 a smaller species, H. lignivora, were found. At 4 o'clock we 

 started on our return journey. It had been decided to return 

 up the same spur which we had followed down, taking advantage 

 of the experience gained to select a better track. After a con- 

 sultation, however, it was arranged to climb the side of the 

 range near the gap which separates Mount Vereker from the 

 range itself. We soon found that we had set ourselves a 

 severe task. The whole of this side of the hill had been burnt 

 some years before, and was now a tangled mass of wire and 

 sword-grass, fire-weed, and other scrub, which reached above our 

 heads, with numberless logs and branches and fallen trees, 

 which we could not see, underneath. There was, of course, 

 no track to follow, and we were com]U'lled to force a passage, 

 foot by foot, up the very steep slope. Mr. Audas's strength 

 and weight had the best effect, and he was unanimously 

 appointed leader. Slowly forcing our way through, and at 

 times walking along the trimk of some fallen giant, we finally 

 reached the top of the range. Here our troubles were by no 

 means ended, as the scrub was almost as dense as that we liad 

 just passed through. With perseverance, and many halts, 

 however, we finally struck a narrow cattle-track, and soon 

 after reached the head of the gully not far from cam]). Every- 

 one was thoroughly tired, but, after all, did not regret their 

 rough experience. 



Monday, 30^/z. — This morning we were all astir earlier Hum 

 usual. It was our last morning on the Vereker, and our 

 camping material and baggage had to be prepared ready for 

 removal to the Inlet. The programme for the day provided 

 for a visit to the Darby, a seven-mile walk, and back to the 

 rest-house at the Inlet. The tents were soon dismantled, and 

 everything placed in readiness for removal, and after a good 

 breakfast, and three hearty cheers to mark our enjoyable visit, 

 the whole party were soon on their trip across the heath- 

 covered flats to the Darby. Tlnif ol (nn botanists elected to 



