Oct.,"] 

 1915 J 



Searle and Shrphard, Visit to Lakes. 87 



A VISIT TO THE LAKES NEAR COLAC AND CAMPER- 

 DOWN. 



By J. Searle and J. Shephard. 

 {Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, gth Aug., 191 5.) 



The volcanic plains of the south-western part of the State offer 

 many attractions to the held naturalist, whether he be a 

 zoologist or geologist. The latter may find profitable study 

 in determining the sources of eruption and relative ages and 

 direction of the vast flows of basalt that cover most of this 

 district. The origin of the lake system is also an interesting 

 problem. 



For the zoologist there is a vast amount of work to be done 

 in the investigation of the faunistic contents of the numerous 

 lakes that are scattered over this part of Victoria. This work 

 is practically untouched, and it was this fact that led the 

 writers of this paper to take a brief collecting trip to the Colac 

 district, the result of which they bring under the notice of 

 members of the Club this evening. 



Leaving Melbourne by motor-car on Saturday morning, 5th 

 June, we were soon travelling over the basalt plains beyond 

 Footscray, and appreciating the excellent work done, and in 

 progress, on considerable sections of the Geelong road, under 

 the direction of the Country Roads Board. After a brief halt 

 for a frugal lunch at Geelong, we soon found ourselves across 

 the Barwon and on the really good road commencing about 

 six miles out. Passing Winchelsea, the extensive views 

 stretching southward to the Otway Ranges compensated for 

 the lack of trees by giving a feeling of expansion, welcome to 

 the town dweller. Colac (95 miles) was reached about 

 3 o'clock, and, after securing quarters tor our stay, we pro- 

 ceeded to the lake, provided with tow-net. hand-nets, and 

 other gear. 



The severity of the recent drought was forcibly impressed 

 on us by the shrunken appearance of Lake Colac, then more 

 than six feet below its usual level ; and when it is remembered 

 that the lake is about six miles in length and three miles wide, 

 the enormous quantity of water represented by the difference 

 of level of six feet will be apparent. Obtaining a boat, we were 

 soon afloat on the lake, which we found nowhere more than 

 four feet in depth, with a bottom covered with a deposit of 

 black mud — so fine that it passed freely through the meshes 

 of the tow-net. Rowing gently, the tow-net was set in action, 

 and after a few minutes' towing was hauled up, when we were 

 amazed at the large quantity of living matter revealed; the 

 lower part of the net was packed solid with Cladocera, Ostra- 

 coda, Copepoda, Rotifera, and smaller forms of life. After 



