17^ 



Excursion to National Park. [voi"^'xxix 



Most of our luggage having been brought from our camp, 

 the tents were soon erected, and we sat down to enjoy a well- 

 earned dinner. During the evening the party formed itself 

 into serious meeting. Several interesting speeches were 

 delivered and responded to, followed by the usual musical 

 accompaniment, rendered in a manner unprecedented in the 

 National Park. In addition to those of a personal character, 

 both the Field Naturalists' Club and the Trustees of the 

 National Park were honoured. In referring to the Club, Mr. 

 Williamson spoke highly of the valuable work accomplished 

 by the members, and the importance of extended field ex- 

 cursions such as that we were then enjoying. Mr. Shephard, 

 in an earnest speech, congratulated the Trustees of the Park 

 on the able manner in which they were managing the Park, 

 the improvements already effected, and the arrangements 

 made for the comfort of visitors. He said the Trustees deserved 

 the greatest possible encouragement, and asked that every 

 opportunity should be taken to make known the splendid 

 advantages of the Park, both as a sanctuary for the native fauna 

 and flora, and as a delightful resort for tourists and others. 



Professor Ewart and Mr. Kershaw responded on behalf of the 

 Trustees, and explained some of the improvements which it 

 was intended to carry out in the near future. Mr. Kershaw 

 gave an outline of the movement which led up to the permanent 

 reservation of Wilson's Promontory, tracing its history from the 

 early visit of Messrs. Lucas and (iregory, and said the credit of 

 initiating the movement and keeping it prominently before the 

 public was due to the Club. 



After an enjoyable evening, the comjmny broke up to jMCjiarc 

 for an early start homewards in the morning. 



Tuesday, 315/!.— All were astir at 4.J0 a.m., and at (> o'clock 

 were once more aboard, and with a favoural)le tide, accompanied 

 by the exceptional weather with which we had been favoured 

 throughout the trip, started off towards Doughboy Island. 



Here the whole party landed, and had ample time to 

 thoroughly explore every corner of it. The island is small, and 

 in favourable weather a fairly easy kmding can be made at 

 almost any part of it, though the two small sandy beaches, one 

 on the east side and the other on the west, are usually selected. 

 At one time a building stood on the eastern side of the island, 

 the remains of which were still visible. This accounted for a 

 number of garden plants, such as the Arum Lily, Periwinkle, 

 &c., which had been introduced, and which were thriving right 

 down to the narrow beach. No less than fifty species of 

 plants were noted, a list of which is appended. 



As already stated, this island forms one of the hiwdiiig ])laces 



