136 Excursion to Werribee Gorge. [voP'xxx. 



in advance of the rain, and, while preparations were being made 

 for tea, shouts announced the arrival of the lost contingent. 

 As mentioned before, the natural shyness that had caused them 

 to take the second vehicle had also prevented them asking for 

 maps, and fate led them to the river instead of the shelter-shed. 

 Here they very wisely did not attempt to retrace their steps, 

 but carried out the campaign that had been drawn up as the 

 morning's work for those who should desire active exercise — 

 namely, to work up-stream to the junction of the Myrniong 

 Creek, and as far along that stream as might be convenient. 

 It was fortunate that they did so, for no one would have left 

 the shelter-shed to fare through the Gorge in falling snow ; 

 yet, being out, the weather hampered them not at all, and part 

 at least of the subsidiary programme was carried out. This 

 party, in which there were a number of ladies, did some 

 interesting exploring in the neighbourhood of Myrniong Creek. 

 The river, being almost at flood level, had converted the 

 enclosed land at that part — the " Island " — into a tract worthy 

 of its local name. In returning down the stream to meet the 

 main party, who, by the way, carried the billies and milk, 

 while these explorers beheved they had all the tea, some 

 strenuous climbing had to be carried out, in which the ladies 

 came out most creditably. At each bend of the river fresh 

 geological aspects came into view, at one time a gigantic over- 

 fold, at another a broad trough, and occasional minor rippling 

 of the old slates. The magnificent bluff of " Daintree's Chff " 

 served as a landmark for most of the time before the Upper 

 Shelter-shed was reached. In the deep pools of the river 

 numerous " water-boatmen," a bug of the genus Gerris, were 

 observed darting hither and thither, dexterously avoiding the 

 upward saltations of the small trout, who, though nimble, were 

 not quick enough to catch the " boatmen." In the shallows 

 along the margins the tiny shells of Bythinella swarmed in 

 myriads. A small but characteristic piece of the grooved floor 

 of the ancient glaciated valley was picked up by one of the party. 

 From the time of the re-union until well after four the weather 

 was consistently bad. Small parties occasionally ventured 

 forth, only to return to shelter, and even Mr. O'Donoghue's 

 offer to lead volunteers to an abandoned mine failed to ehcit 

 a worthy response. Shortly before five we proceeded down 

 stream, inspecting various objects of interest on our way 

 — among them the glacial showing at Kelly's Creek, with its 

 faults and vibration markings, and the small exposure of 

 " roche moutonee " near the crossing-place. Once again before 

 reaching our vehicles we had to shelter from the rain, but, 

 safely embarked at about half-past six, we in due course arrived 

 at the station, where hot water was procured, and yet another 



