136 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



Las been reduced from 10s. to the low figure of 2s. 6d., we pass 

 through a box forest, and in about 7 miles reach the rising township 

 of Tungamah. This is a place of the most mushroom growth, but 

 boasts two banks and other places of business, with the usual 

 number of churches, as also public houses, at one of which we were 

 only too glad to report ourselves after our dusty journey. A change 

 of horses having been effected, we proceed along rapidly, and here, 

 as during the previous part of our coach road, the country looked most 

 dry and uninteresting, and indeed, no improvement was noticeable 

 right up to Yarrawonga. The only thing collected on the road 

 were several fine specimens of Swainsonia jirocumbens, a most 

 beautiful dwarf herbaceous species, which in places was growing 

 most luxuriantly, and as the driver was obliging, we were able to 

 secure a good many. A vast array of corrugated iron roofs 

 indicated that we were approaching Yarrawonga, the principal 

 township of this part of the Murray district, and on entering it we' 

 were met by Mr. T. Sloane, who conducted us to the boat in which 

 we crossed the Murray, and then drove us to the homestead, distant 

 about 3 miles. The mode of transit here over the noble Murray, 

 seen by one of us for the first time, struck us as being of the 

 most antiquated and primitive kind, and without writing to be 

 accused by any interesting novelist as inclined to blow the trump.^t 

 of our own colony, we felt quite certain that such a style would not 

 be long tolerated in Victoria. The puntsman was quite an original 

 character, whose self-confident assertion that he could row down 

 either Beach or Hanlan in ferry boats caused us no little amusement. 

 We think, however, we should be inclined to pin our faith on eitlier 

 of the two redoubtable oarsmen named. 



On our arrival at about half-past seven, we weie quickly intro- 

 duced to a substantial dinner, to which our long and tedious 

 day's travelling enabled us to do ample justice, and soon after 

 we retired to rest, as we were anxious to get up early and see the 

 process of sheep shearing. This commences at six, and during 

 our stay was in full swing, indeed, it had been so for some time 

 previously, the total number shorn, and to be shorn, being about 

 85,000. Accordingly Saturday morning saw us at the shearing 

 sheds, where we stayed about an hour, and after an eight o'clock 

 breakfast started on our first day's excursion, and being anxious to 

 get some distance before commencing operations, we availed our- 

 selves of the opportunity to accompany Mr. T. Sloane in his buggy 

 to some drafting yards about seven miles away. We had not pro- 

 ceeded far before we came across a couple of the large Iguana 

 {Hydrosaurus varius) common to the district, one being beautifully 

 marked with yellow bands ; but feeling sure of getting some on the 

 day of our intended departure, we did not attempt to capture it, 

 which we now regret, as we did not again see a similar one, although 



