'So] Daley, At Wartook (Gvampiaiis). 145 



We were early afoul, next iiioriiing, and in the bush below 

 the house found the Blue Tinsel Lily, Calectasia cyanca, and the 

 Fringed Heath-Myrtle, Micvoniyrim microphylla, as well as 

 some fine Hovea showing marked heterophylly in its leaves. 

 The flowers of the Purple Violet, Viola hetonicifolia, were un- 

 usually deep in hue. 



After breakfast we started through the bush for the falls, 

 about three miles distant, on the Mackenzie River, which has 

 cut for its current a deep and precipitous gorge, into which 

 the volume of water falls about 90 feet, forming a beautiful 

 sight — the finest of its kind in the Grampians. Just below the 

 falls we were much gratified to find in full bloom several 

 handsome shrubs of Hovea longifolia, forming, with its abundant 

 lilac-coloured flow^ers and dark green foliage, a charming 

 picture. These shrubs were two or three inches in diameter 

 at the base and from seven to ten feet in height. Unfor- 

 tunately, the bloom was too far advanced to remain on the 

 specimens gathered. Masses of Umbrella and Coral Ferns, 

 Gleichenia flahellata and G. circinata, in the gorge were very fine. 

 Returning, we viewed an interesting and extensive series of 

 sparkling falls or cascades called the Scattered Falls, which are 

 also very beautiful, and well worthy of a visit. The valley 

 of the Mackenzie should be fruitful in result for botanical 

 research. We returned to the reservoir in time to pack up 

 and have lunch. 



Wartook Reservoir is a fine sheet of water, 3 miles 50 chains 

 long and i mile 20 chains wide. The maximum depth is 

 29 feet. The containing bank, about a mile in length, con- 

 serves the drainage from the lofty watershed of the Mackenzie 

 River and tributaries. The situation has been well chosen, 

 the approximate area of the lake being 2,556 acres, impounding 

 6,560 millions of gallons of water, or 160 millions of gallons 

 more than the Yan Yean Reservoir, whose area is 1,360 acres. 

 The comparison serves to give an idea of the extent as well 

 as the potential value of the conservation. Below the high 

 bank the surplus water, or regulated flow, as well as the 

 drainage outside of the reservoir area, merges into the Mac- 

 kenzie River, which, besides having the most imposing falls in 

 the Grampians, has fine pools where English perch and trout 

 may be caught. About ten miles distant the water is diverted 

 into channels, which carry the precious fluid northwards, and, 

 in conjunction with the Lake Lonsdale scheme on the eastern 

 side of the Grampians, supply the dry plains as far north as 

 the to^A^ns of Rainbow and Warracknabeal. This should be 

 of increasing benefit and utility to the dwellers in the arid 

 areas. A project has been mooted to utilize the water-power 

 at Wartook for lighting the towns of Horsham and Stawell, 

 as well as Hall's Gap, with electricity. A pleasing feature at 



