100 THE VICTORIAN KATURALIST. 



the gentlemen, a well-known RL.S., undertook to handle the 

 ribbons, and pilot them to the camping spot, and a second vehicle 

 having been loaded up with the commissariat stores, they were 

 despatched on their journey. The president, hon secretary, and 

 about half a dozen others remained behind to await the arrival of 

 the Ballarat train, and welcome the contingent expected from 

 that city, the remainder of the party walking across the plains to 

 the ranges, naturalising as they went, but with little success. 



The You Yangs have been visited by the Club on two previous 

 occasions, about the same time of year, in 1881 and 1882, so 

 that it was pretty well known what objects were likely to be met 

 with As there are several plants and insects almost peculiar to 

 the district, it is one that should not be neglected by our collectors, 

 and would probably piove still better, from a botanist's point of 

 view, if visited during the month of September, as the district, 

 being naturally very dry, it is probable the wild flort'er season 

 would be rather early. 



Those who were waiting for the Ballarat train, in order to pass 

 away the time profitably, directed their attention to the Little 

 River, which flows not far away. It is a rather picturesque 

 stream, only about 25 feet wide, but apparently deep. There 

 was not much current, and the water was brackish. Search along 

 its banks revealed several interesting water plants, such as 

 Triglochin procera, and Myriop/iyiiiim variifoiiuin, which were in 

 flower, Char a, Szc. ; and among the stems of these were found 

 many larvae of dragon-flies, the little flat snail, &c Turning 

 towards the station again, several plants of that curious Amaranth, 

 Ptilotus map'oeephalus, were met with, other frequent flowers 

 being Convolvulus eritbescens, Helichrymtm semiJ>a_pposuin, the little 

 purple daisy, Calotis sp., &c. 



On the arrival of the train it was found that only two visitors 

 had come from the " Golden City," instead of at least half a 

 dozen who had promised to take part in the excursion. A final 

 start was now made for the ranges, which were reached after a 

 pleasant walk of about an hour. 



The rugged nature of these miniature mountains became more 

 apparent as we approached, the immense granite boulders being 

 very conspicuous. The plains, which are principally of upper 

 volcanic formation, are almost treeless, but became partially 

 wooded with sheoaks, honeysuckles, and stringy-barks on the 

 newer pliocene which surrounds the granite formation On the 

 latter several plants in flower were noted, among which may 

 be mentioned the brilliant little Pelargonium Rodneijanum. 

 Making for the southernmost gorge in the range, some very fine 

 specimens of the black wat le, Acacia decurrens, were met with. 



