1 50 Excursion to National Park. [vok'xxxi. 



an early start back to camp. As we reached the steep slopes 

 of Oberon again the weather cleared considerably, so that a 

 good view of the surrounding country and islands was obtained. 

 Descending the mountain, we varied our course by following 

 along Norman Bay to the Tidal River, thence across country 

 to camp. 



Thursday. — To-day seven members of the party visited 

 Lilly-pilly Gully, situated among the hills near the head of the 

 Tidal River ; two others explored the Bad Saddle and part of 

 the Sealers' Cove track ; while three elected to return to the 

 Darby, and so save a long walk on the following day. 



Lilly-pilly Gully, so named from the presence of numerous 

 Lilly-pillies, Eugenia Smithii, was only recently explored by 

 the Committee of Management, with the result that a short 

 bridle-track has been formed into it. This has made accessible 

 what proves to be the most beautiful of the fern-gullies in the 

 National Park. The growth of the ferns of various kinds is 

 wonderful, the Polypodium covering the ground and tree- 

 trunks, while enormous lilly-pillies and blackwoods are 

 plentiful. The Slender-stemmed Tree-fern, Cyathea Ciinning- 

 hami, is common, growing to a height of 20 or 30 feet. The 

 gully should be of particular interest to the botanist, and is 

 deserving of a more careful survey than we were able to give 

 to it. It is in its wild state, and, so far, untouched by bush- 

 fires. An enjoyable and interesting day was spent here, and 

 we returned to camp well satisfied with the trip. 



Friday. — We broke up camp at an early hour, and, packing 

 our horses, returned to the Darby in time for mid-day lunch. 

 After a rest here we continued our journey to the Vereker rest- 

 house, which was reached about 6 o'clock. Our evening meal, 

 as on a previous visit, was prolonged by a few speeches, in 

 which members took the opportunity to express their apprecia- 

 tion of the valuable work done by the Committee of Manage- 

 ment in opening up and stocking the Park, and the facilities 

 afforded tourists for seeing its beauties. To show their apprecia- 

 tion in a practical manner, the members unanimously decided 

 to subscribe five shillings each towards ])i()viding additional 

 conveniences in the rest-houses. 



Saturday. — After an early breakfast, our belongings were 

 packed up and taken aboard the motor-boat awaiting us, and 

 a pleasant trip across the inlet terminated an enjoyable eight 

 days' camp in the National Park. From a collector's view, 

 I am afraid that this trip will add little to our knowledge of 

 the fauna and flora of the Park. In zoology, nothing deserving 

 of special mention was obtained beyond what has already 

 been recorded in the Naturalist. 



