PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION E. 525 



The dominant grass on the plateau is the thatchgrass, Poa ccespitosa, 

 growing in all portions of it, but one or two localities, in a stunted 

 form. The kangaroo and wombat appear to feed chiefly on this grass. 

 It flourishes in all places on the floor of the plateau, where soil has been 

 formed from decayed vegetation, assisted by the dust and disintegrated 

 diabase constituents caused by long ages of " weathering." 



The concluding section of the paper is devoted to a notice of the 

 fauna of the plateau. Birds predominate, though the list of passerine 

 species is scanty. The only strictly resident form is the pipit, or 

 " meadow lark," Anthui australis, which is ubiquitous in Tasmania. 

 Hawks and the wedge-tailed eagle pass over the upland during the day- 

 time, as also the crow and black crow-shrike [Strcpera), one or two 

 honey-eaters, and the migratory robin-chat fPctroica flammeaj are 

 plentiful in the spring, the former being attracted by the flowers of the 

 honey plant, Riehea. In regard to mammals, the author has only been 

 able to identify three species of marsupial, an extended stay on the 

 plateau being necessary for correct observation. The Tasmanian 

 kangaroo (Bennett's wallaby) is numerous in some parts in the summer, 

 but it is questionable if it occurs on the summit of the range after the 

 early winter snowfall, in May or June. The wombat, judging by the 

 " dropping-," is numeroui^, although, owing to the excellent shelter 

 provided by the crevices and " lairs " in the diabase talus, is not met 

 with in the day time on the plateau. Though nocturnal, it may not 

 infrequently be found abroad in thick bush. 



THE SOURCE OF THE NILE RIVER. TASMANIA. 

 Explanation.— Lake Baker, looking noitli over central area of plateau. One and a half miles 

 distant, at left hand of picture, the river flows at a lower level throiiffh Youl's Lake and passes 

 thence through an abysmal gorge to the lower country. 



