THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. '185' 



virgaia, several other Styphelias, Pultenaeas, and the curious little 

 Candollea sobolifera, engaged our attention for some time. A 

 stunted form of Eucalyptus capitellata was very common. On the 

 whole, we can safely recommend any botanist or lover of wild 

 flowers to visit this mountain, where, with favourable weather, a 

 most enjoyable day or so can be spent. 



From the top of Mount Sturgeon, 1946 feet above the sea, 

 and about 11 00 feet higher than Dunkeld, a fine panoramic view 

 can be obtained. On the occasion of our visit we were quite 

 astonished at the amount of water visible ; swamps and lakes 

 dotted the plains everywhere. The windings of the Wannon 

 could be traced for many miles, but, unfortunately for sight-seeing, 

 the weather was still thick and showery, and occasionally we had 

 to retreat under a bush for shelter. Dunkeld lay close at hand, 

 whilst Hamilton could just be made out in the distance. Straight 

 down below us almost was the homestead of Mount Sturgeon 

 Station, looking very comfortable and snug, surrounded with its 

 garden and shrubberies. Looking northwards, the Victoria 

 Range and Victoria Valley — splendid places for the naturalist — 

 could be traced for many miles. The twin mountain Abrupt, about 

 800 feet higher than our standpoint, shut out most of our view of 

 the rest of the Sierra and Grampian Ranges. The guide books 

 speak warningly about snakes on this mount, but, whether on 

 account of the cold weather or our good fortune, we did not 

 come across any, though we saw the remains of two skins. 

 Before descending, we removed a few seedlings of different plants 

 for cultivation at home. As we descended, we could not 

 but admire the pretty effect of the lichen and moss-covered 

 sandstone cliffs, especially as they glistened with drops of 

 moisture from the passing showers. 



Having been so far successful, we returned homewards, casting 

 longing eyes at the higher cliffs of Mount Abrupt, and finally 

 determined to be up early the next morning, and start for it about 

 six o'clock, so as to get back in time for the train. 



Next morning, soon after six, we started off on what after- 

 wards proved the most disastrous trip of our holiday. A strong 

 wind was blowing from the north, through the Victoria Pass, as 

 the gap between the mountains is called. There were signs of 

 distant showers, and clouds rested on the tops of the mounts 3 

 but we were not to be frightened. We crossed the Wannon 

 Bridge, and, taking the right-hand track, had made considerable 

 progress, when our attention was attracted by numerous grass- 

 trees, Xanthorrhcea Atistralis, bearing their singular flower spikes, 

 three or four feet long. A little farther on a passing shower 

 compelled us to take shelter under a tree. Again we went for- 



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