24 Excursion to Rosebud. [\X'\\\\\\, 



bathing facilities. The main MellHmrnc Dromana-Sorrcnto 

 road runs within a short distance of the heacli, and between 

 them is usually a dense thicket of shrubby plants of various 

 kinds. On the landward side of the road there is a consider- 

 able amount of settlement, while further over towards the 

 ocean beach is a large extent of wind-blown sand-dunes, with 

 limestone underlying. This is also in a great measure covered 

 with thick scrub characteristic of the coastal fringe. The 

 well-known range of Arthur's Seat slopes down nearly to 

 Rosebud. The range is granitic in character, and the resultant 

 soil has a fairly thick vegetation, in which eucalypts and intro- 

 duced pines attain a sturdy growth and considerable height. 

 On the south-eastern side of Arthur's Seat, and also eastwards, 

 Ordovician formations come in contact with the granite, while 

 westwards, towards Sorrento, sand-dunes and limestone, with 

 occasional swampy areas, occur. During the afternoon of 

 Friday a short ramble was taken into the scrub at the back of 

 the hamlet, and familiarity obtained with the local vegetation. 

 Saturday was devoted to a drag excursion to Cape Schanck, 

 about twelve miles distant (the military survey map, 

 " Sorrento," will be found useful for following the tracks of 

 the party). Fortunately, the rain which had threatened held 

 off, and a pleasant day was spent. The lighthouse on the 

 Cape was visited, and the fine panoramic view greatly admired. 

 Some time was spent on the ocean beach, where Mr. Gabriel 

 succeeded in obtaining a considerable variety of seaweeds, 

 bryozoa, &c. The cliffs here are of volcanic origin, the vertical 

 section showing at least two distinct lava Hows. The basalt 

 exhibits plainly both tabular and columnar structure, and less 

 clearly the " onion " or concentric formation, whilst successive 

 stages of disintegration, from solid black stone to soft white 

 clay, through atmospheric and chemical agencies, are easily 

 seen. The origin of this ancient flow is somewhat obscure, 

 the nearest occurrences being at Balcombc I^ay and Phillip 

 Island, while Mount Duneed, to the soutii of Geelong, is 

 probably the nearest vc^lcanic vent. Attention was given liere 

 to the coastal flora, of which the Coast White-bush, Calo- 

 cephaliis Brownii, growing in large clumps, was the most 

 prominent plant. On our return to Rosebud Mr. (iabriel gave 

 a practical demonstration of the recognized method of mounting 

 seaweeds and the preparation of bryozoa as opaque micro- 

 scopic objects. Starting early on Sunday morning, the ascent 

 of Arthur's Seat was made. The peak is of historic interest, 

 for it was named by Lieut. Murray, R.N., th(! discoverer of 

 Port Phillip Bay, and ascended by Capt. Flinders during his 

 memorable voyage in the Investigator. I'rom the tower, 

 1,200 feet above sea-l<vel, the outlook is extensive, embracing 



