THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 119 



Lidgett. — Three new Victorian Coccidae, collected by Mr, J. C. 

 Goudie at Birchip. By Mr. F. M. Reader. — Dried plants, 

 Diploiaxis muralis, D. C, naturalized and new for Victoria ; 

 Barbara vulgaris, new for N.W. of Victoria. By Mr. J. 

 Shephard. — Abnormally large colonies of Rotifer, Lacinularia 

 reticulata, from Brighton. 



After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. 



THE LERDERDERG "CAMP-OUT." 



It having been decided to organize a " camp-out " during the 

 spring, the locality of the Lerderderg Ranges, about 40 miles 

 north-west of Melbourne, was selected. From the easy acces- 

 sibility of the camp from Melbourne it was confidently hoped that 

 the attendance would have been a record one, and Mr. A. 

 Mattingley had taken considerable trouble in perfecting the 

 arrangements, and had kindly placed a very complete camping 

 outfit at the disposal of the members for the week. However, 

 from various causes, not the least of which was the prevalence of 

 influenza in the community, the number of members who were 

 able to join in the outing was smaller than anticipated. Some 

 left town by the early train on Saturday, 4th November, reaching 

 the camping ground, some eight miles north of Bacchus Marsh, 

 by 10 a.m. After pitching the camp, and luncheon having been 

 disposed of, the members dispersed in various ways to seek their 

 several specialties, meeting again for the evening meal. The 

 daily routine was much the same — up at daybreak, a swim in the 

 river, breakfast, collecting, lunch, more collecting, tea, general 

 conversation, singing, &c., bed-time. The party was reduced by 

 departures and augmented by arrivals once or twice during the 

 stay, and finally broke up and returned to town on Thursday, the 

 19th inst, having had a most enjoyable outing, carried out with- 

 out a hitch, and, with the exception of one thunder-shower, 

 favoured with fine weather every day. 



Mr. A. J. Campbell has supplied the following details of the 

 objects collected or noted : — 



Legend says that Lerderderg signifies in aboriginal language 

 " broken reeds." Whether legend be correct or not, " The River 

 of Broken Reeds " is indeed a very euphonious title. 



This stream by erosive action has carved a somewhat direct 

 course for several miles through parallel ridges of bold schistose 

 mountains, which rise by steep gradients from the river's bed to 

 peaks varying from 800 feet to 1,000 feet. At the entrance of 

 this valley we pitched our camp. Below, the river describes a 

 more sinuous course through rich alluvial flats, and enters the 

 Werribee at the eastern end of Bacchus Marsh township — named 

 after an early settler. Captain Bacchus. 



