24 Excursion to Narre Warren. [vdxxxi] 



usual delays which seem to be inseparable from holiday trains. 

 Upwey was duly reached, when it was found that members 

 and friends had mustered in good force (ladies formed aboul 

 half the party), and, as the day was everything that could be 

 wished, a pleasant ten-mile walk was anticipated. Striking 

 out in a south-easterly direction, the Ferny Creek was soon 

 crossed, then a somewhat steep ridge had to he climbed before 

 we could look down on the broad, cultivated valley of the 

 Monbulk (reek. On the banks of the creek a halt was made 

 for lunch ; then, continuing our walk over some granite hills, 

 the Lysterfield road was reached and traversed for a short 

 distance before paddocks were again entered. Flowers were 

 scarce, but several specimens of the sweetly-scented orchid. 

 Eriochilus autumnalis, were met with. A solitary plant of the 

 composite Cassinia spectabilis was seen, which, though not in 

 (lower, was noted as a novelty. We had now reached the rather 

 steep hill on the side of which the Rocking Stone is situated, 

 and were soon alongside that unique feature, of which the 

 dimensions and a photograph were given in the January 

 Naturalist. Most of the party had the satisfaction of making 

 it move, and an hour sped quickly by as members sat and 

 rested, wondering how long had elapsed since the stones were 

 weathered into their present shapes, or admiring the charming 

 view of the surrounding country. As there was a five-mile 

 walk ahead we could not stay too long, so the road to Narre 

 Warren station was taken, and the hall-past five train duly 

 hoarded. Mr. P. K. H. St. John tells me that nine species oi 

 eucalypts were seen during the day viz.. the Manna Gum, 

 Narrow-leaved Peppermint, Silver-leaved Stringybark, \<v<[ 

 Stringybark, Mountain Gum, Swamp (ium. Long-leaved Box. 



and Yellow Box, while oi birds .it leasf twenty-five species 

 were noted, among them being the Brush Bronze-winged 

 on, Nankeen Kestrel, Boobook Owl, Scarlet-breasted Robin, 

 Flame-breasted Robin, Yellow-breasted Shrike-Robin, Blue 

 Wren-Warbler, and Grey Shrike-Thrush. F. G. A. Barnard, 



EXl URSION TO SYDENHAM. 

 I the visit to the so-called "Organ Pipes." on Jackson's 



k, near Sydenham, on Saturday, 8th May, .1 char-a-bani 

 capable oi holding twenty-eighl was engaged, and nearly every 

 seal was bespoken. Aftei .1 pleasanl ride ol some fifteen miles 

 along the Mounl Alexander-road, passing through Essendon 

 and Keilor, the nearesl poinl to the "Organ Pipes" was 



hed jusl before ; p.m. Here the whole party alighted, 

 and walked down to the creek, where the basall columns proved 



reatinteresl to those eeing them for the first time. As well- 



