82 Excursion to Bayswater. [ 



Vict. Nat. 

 Vol. XXXTII. 



many early spring flowers were noted, such as Anguillaria 

 (Wurmbea) dioica, Hypoxis glabella, Raminculus lappaceus, 

 Brachycome cardiocarpa, and B. decipiens. The charming 

 flowers of the papiHonaceous shrub, Hovea heterophylla, were 

 everywhere, while its relative, the climber, Hardenbergia mon- 

 ophylla, was in good condition, and probably seen at its best. 

 Passing through a belt of scrub, it was noticed that many of 

 the eucalypt saplings were affected very much from the attacks 

 of the larvae of the Painted Cup Moth. At the Dandenong 

 Creek it was observed that the introduced Blackberry Bramble, 

 Rubus fruticosus, had in many places almost hidden from view 

 some of our beautiful native shrubs, such as the Christmas 

 Bush, Prostanthera lasianthos, and Snow Bush, Olearia (Aster) 

 stelkilata. Proceeding in a westerly direction, and re-crossing 

 the railway reserve, a good view was obtained of the Silver 

 Wattles, Acacia dealbata, growing along the banks of the creek. 

 Other acacias, such as A. armata, A. stricta, A. melanoxylon, 

 and A. myrtifolia, were in full bloom and much admired, 

 especially the latter species, which scented the air for many 

 yards round with its sweet perfume. Along the margin of 

 the creek Exocarpos, Bursaria, Casuarina, Spyridium, Poma- 

 derris, Melaleucas, and Leptospermums were in quantity. 

 The Native Heath, Epacris impressa, was very plentiful, but 

 the coloured variety was scarce. The Golden Bush- Pea, 

 Pultencea stricta, var. Gimnii, and Erect Guinea-Flower, 

 Hibbertia stricta, were aflame with colour, and very plentiful. 

 The Long-leaved Greenhood Orchid, Ptevostylis longifolia, was 

 very abundant, and of large size ; with it were found the orchids 

 Glossodia major, Diiiris maculata, and Caladenia Patersoni, var. 

 dilatata, also Correa speciosa, var. normalis, which, though it 

 has been blooming for some months, seemed at its best, the 

 bells being apparently finer and larger than usual. During the 

 walk about eighty species of flowering plants were noted. Of 

 these the rarest were probably Epacris microphylla, Sphcero- 

 lobium vimineiim, Comesperma ericimnn. Glycine clandestina, 

 Stackhoiisia linearifolia. Lobelia rhomboidea, Acacia tenuifolia^ 

 A. juniperina, and Panax sambucifolius. Traversing the rail- 

 way enclosure on the way to the station, many of the party 

 gathered and made up large bouquets of wild-flowers, com- 

 posed of Acacias, Heaths, Everlastings, Correa, &c., which, 

 together with the so-called Sarsaparilla, made very pretty 

 bunches, in which the Purple Eyebright and the yellow variety 

 of Daviesia corymbosa were prominent. After a pleasant walk 

 of about five miles, Ringwood station was reached in good 

 time to catch the 6 p.m. train, by which most of the party 

 returned to town, all well pleased with the outing and the 

 favourable weather conditions. — J. W. Audas. 



