March, 1907.] THE TICTORIAX NATURALIST. 231 



The lignite and leaf beds exposed at certain places on the 

 beach were evidence of the former existence of a quiet 

 fresh-water lagoon, into which the vegetation on the 

 margin was drifted, to be later mixed with sand and grit. 

 This, agair., was covered by a flow of lava, probably 

 having its centre of activity near Portarlington. This 

 was portion of the older volcanic outburst, patches of 

 which may be seen at North Melbourne, around Warragul 

 and Drouin, near Leongatha, Mirboo North, and other 

 places in South Gi'ppsland. Denudation has removed the 

 greater part of these older lava flows. 



The marine fauna found in the blue clays bore testi- 

 mony of forms of life and climatic, conditions long since 

 passed away. The gypsum deposits, the variously coloured 

 clays in the cliffs, the very sands, and the ironstone 

 pebbles, were seen to be fraught with meaning. All 

 these phenomena were connected and co-ordinated in a 

 series of illuminating talks, listened to with the deepest 

 interest. In these, it was shown that the changes ob- 

 served were brought about by the existing forces of Nature, 

 operating throughout all the ages with the same average 

 intensity as at present. The disintegrating influence of 

 the sun, of the atmosphere and its phenomena, and the 

 ceaseless beating of the waves upon the cliffs, are as 

 potent to-dav as ever. Accordi'ngly, the surface of the 

 earth is undergoing gradual change, which, given time 

 enough, will produce all the physical phenomena met 

 with. 



Thus it was with each excursion. The wonderful 

 variety of shore life was studied iin its native habitat. 

 It was shown how the vegetation of the coast had adapted 

 itself to the conditions of life ruling there. The mar- 

 vellous examiples of mimicry in the galls found on the 

 tea-tree and she-oak were pointed out and examined. Many 

 insect pests destructive to vegetation were seen, and their 

 life-histories worked out or described. iHow these are 

 kept in check Avas indicated, and how great the need for 

 the protection of useful birds and insects impressed. The 

 study of the myriad forms of plant life was full of 

 charm. With the aid of a telescope, Mr. R. J. A. Bar- 

 nard gave nightly lecturettes upon astronomy. These, 

 giving visitors glimpses into the wonders of " the star- 

 sown depths of space," were greatly appreciated. 



The evening lectures, illustrated with lantern views, 

 were not the least enjoyable and instructive features of 

 the camp. 



