134 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



undertaken to the adjacent scrubs. The evenings were occupied 

 in fishing for scientific purposes and for food. 



Sunday (20th) Captain Anderson, Mr. Borthwick, and Mr. 

 Robertson (reporter) visited the camp, the Lady Loch having 

 arrived off New Year Islands the evening before. As the 

 weather was freshening, the captain deemed it advisable to take 

 the expedition off at once, consequently the camp was struck, 

 and in three hours everything was snug on board the steamer. 

 She was then brought to an anchorage under the New Year 

 Islands, which form a large crescent, extending out from Whistler 

 Point. The remaining daylight was utilised by parties roaming 

 over both islands, which are rarely trodden by human beings. 

 They are iron-bound, so to speak, for the most part with granite 

 boulders, and thickly clothed with tussocky grass, pig-face weed, 

 and short, close salt and other bushes, in places so thick that 

 one could walk on the tops of them without difficulty. 



Punctually at 4 o'clock in the morning anchor was weighed. 

 When abreast of the lighthouse the superintendent placed the 

 expedition's dredges and some despatches on board, and a 

 course was shaped for Apollo Bay, where the steamer, by 

 appointment, had to pick up some Government officials. An 

 exceedingly fine passage to Williamstown brought the expedition 

 to a termination at 9 o'clock at night, after an absence of nine- 

 teen days. 



Owing to a slight alteration in the original plans a little 

 disappointment was felt at the steamer not touching at Sea 

 Elephant Rock, an isolated islet on the east coast, where, no 

 doubt, many interesting specimens and photographs would have 

 been taken from the sea-fowl nurseries known to exist there ; 

 likewise samples from guano deposits. However, one and all 

 enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and many valuable lessons have 

 been learnt, which will be a guide to future expeditions. Such 

 excursions should undoubtedly be annual, as they tend to do 

 much good, and assist to keep the club alive. 



All members who have assisted this expedition, it is hoped, will 

 be amply satisfied with the work performed, as set forth on the 

 subjoined appendices, especially when it is recollected how large 

 the island is — about forty miles long by ten to thirteen broad — 

 and the time occupied for actual work only fourteen days. The 

 tracks of the party on land are estimated approximately at about 

 160 to 170 miles, and by no means easily travelling, for the 

 greater part was either along heavy beaches, over rocky head- 

 lands, through thick, stubborn scrubs or boggy swamps. It may 

 also be mentioned that rain fell to the amount of over 2in. 

 during the first week. 



This report cannot be closed without special mention being, 

 made of those who, outside of the club, have lent invaluable aid 



