122 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



supplying the wants of our inner selves, but if it did contain 

 living forms of Protophyta, Protozoa, &c., we managed to make 

 them palatable. 



As soon as our frugal repast was over, and we had finished 

 lazily watching the wreaths of white tobacco smoke, we resumed 

 our journey, taking a south-westerly course to again intercept the 

 Ararat Creek, searching every available spot on our way, but 

 with little success for about a mile or so ; then we struck the 

 creek, and decided to work along its banks, when we became 

 suddenly aware that three of our party were missing. Fortunately, 

 after a brief delay, we once more united, and eventually made 

 the best of our way back to the hotel, where we found an excellent 

 tea all ready for us. To this we did ample justice, after which 

 we had but a few moments to spare ere our train left, thus 

 bringing to a close what had been a very enjoyable day to all 

 concerned. 



The inclement weather of the previous day and the cold wind 

 still prevalent had the effect of rendering Lepidoptera somewhat 

 scarce, for though many species were doubtless about, they kept 

 in their retreats and wanted a lot of looking after, whereas with 

 warm weather and bright sunshine many butterflies and diurnal 

 moths might have been expected. Altogether six species of 

 butterflies were observed ; Pyratneis Kershawi, of course, was in 

 evidence ; a single Epinephile abeona was disturbed, but lost ; a 

 female Delias aganippe was observed on the Exocarpus, probably 

 depositing ova, and an Ogyris, thought to be abrota, was seen 

 flying in the fitful sunshine, but being well out of reach we could 

 only look and long. Chrysophanus auri/er, one specimen only, 

 in beautiful condition, made the fifth species, and two Skippers f'T. 

 ismene, Newm., and T. comma, Kirby^ were picked up, one from a 

 log the other from a flower, both being semi-torpid, and having no 

 inclination for flight whatever. Some of the common Geometers 

 were numerous enough, Dichromodes ainaria especially being very 

 abundant. J), stilbiata and Z>. conjluaria likewise were much in 

 evidence. We noted three species of Hydriomena, viz. : — B. sev- 

 erata, of which some very pretty forms were taken; subochraria a.r\d 

 correlata, the latter sometimes being in shoals. The somewhat 

 similar looking Epidesmia hypenaria and Epidesmia tryxaria were 

 flying together in places, and shortly after the midday halt we struck 

 a nice little corner where some very perfect specimens o( Melitulias 

 graphicata were secured. Among the Bombyces were Porthesia 

 obsoleta, Scoliacma bicolor, Termessa gratiosa, Mosoda sejuncta, and 

 Asuralydia, while a nice selection of "micros." were also obtained. 

 Larvae were not much sought after, but several Tephrosiafractaria 

 and lodis submissaria were observed feeding on the wattle ; the 

 stems of the Banksias were full of a small Cryptophasa, and one 

 or two of the Messmates, where they had been rung, were so 



