6o AuDAs, Through (he Mitrra Murra Country. [v^"^xxxvii 



dividing ridge a wonderful panorama of the Victoria V-alley 

 could be seen. Here the track throws off a branch to the right 

 leading to Wartook Valley and the M'Kenzie Fall, but we 

 continued strdght ahead. Descending the ranges of this 

 unfrequented part, native fauna were particularly numerous, 

 undisturbed, and happy in their mountain homes. We came 

 suddenly upon an old Emu and a large clutch of chickens feeding 

 with great rehsh on the berries of the Flame Heath, Aslroloma 

 conostephioides. Quickly, on the approach of danger, the 

 mother bird gave a loud warning call, and it was interesting 

 to see tlie chicks immediately scatter in all directions and hide 

 quickly in the undergrowth. Flocks of gaudy parrots, diverse 

 and many-coloured in plumage, screamed noisily about us, 

 quite eclipsing the glory of " Little Robin Redbreast," who 

 hopped from twig to twig in his bright red waistcoat. High 

 above, from the branches of a bare, dead tree, came the greeting 

 of the wise Australian, " Mr. Kookaburra," who is loved by 

 all, in spite of his scornful laughter. 



Though we made one more steep ascent, we were really 

 gradually descending, and tlie vegetation at the Various alti- 

 tudes became interesting. Here we came upon several nice 

 patches of that handsome shrub with tubular red flowt'rs, 

 Brachyloma ericoides, and the pretty Love Creeper, Comcspcrnta 

 volubile ; the latter, covering bushes with sky-blue and purple 

 flowers, gave a charming effect. Further down the slopes 

 were great clumps of Golden Heath, Styphelia adscendens, and 

 Mountain Grevillea, G. alpina, both of which had here adopted 

 a trailing form, some clusters being several yards in circum- 

 ference. Proceeding, we noticed on either side of tlie track 

 full blooming specimens of Phchalinm bilobum, M chile itca 

 squamea, Hakca rostrala, Pimclca linifolia, Culvlhrix iclni^onu, 

 Grevillea oleoidcs, Grevillea rosmarini/olia, G. parvi flora, Slack- 

 honsia viminea, Correa cemula, C. Lawrenciana, Boronia pilosa, 

 Pseudanihus ovalijolius, and the handsome Blue Tinsel Lily, 

 Calectasia cyanea. Further along, on the moist ground near 

 a creek, were some fine bushes of Showy Bauera, B. scssili flora, 

 some having flower-spikes ciuite three feet in length. Legu- 

 minous plants were just coming into flower, and a week later 

 would be; golden witli blossoms. The most advanced among 

 them were Pultencra rosea, P. Bcnthami, P. mollis, P. villosa, 

 P. scabra, Daviesia corxmbosa, Bossiwa riparia, B. cinerea, 

 Dillwynia erici/olia, and /). florilnoida the twf) latter attaining 

 tlu- iniusual height of seven feet. 



W'liih; now descending, we were (lankcd on our left by tlic; 

 great surface of the mountain which is known as the western 

 wall, and the rock scenery was magnificent indeed. When 

 crossing a fertib- tea-tnH- flat wt- were surprised to find the 



