THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 59 



Inquiries were made as to the probability of a better field in 

 Croajingalong. But it was reported that the fires had extended 

 all along the river up nearly to the Buchan, and down to Marlow, 

 and to the east as far as the Broadrib, and even beyond it ; and 

 although there is still left to the south-east of Mount Raymond, 

 about the Cabbage Tree Creek, some scrub untouched by fire — 

 because, indeed, it cannot well be burned— a trip thither could not 

 easily be made ; it would need a tent and packhorses and guide. 

 And the only man near Orbost who really knows that part had 

 been engaged by the Croagingolong excursionists. The weather, 

 too, was sultry — most unusually so — and threatened a change ; 

 and, after hearing a description of the country from a person who 

 had gone through it more than once (a description which is borne 

 out by the account given us last month by Professor Spencer), 

 your excursionist came unwillingly to the conclusion that he 

 must leave that not very promising field to the energies of 

 younger men. 



Returning by coach to Cunninghame, a day was spent up the 

 Backwater, where there are several very interesting gullies, with 

 unburned scrub containing Pittosporums, Lilypillis, and other 

 trees which lichens love. Here, indeed, is a far more hopeful 

 field for the lichenologist than the Orbost country. Nearly all 

 the lichens found there are found here also, and several others 

 besides. Some occur here which have not been found elsewhere. 

 On the older ti-tree scrub in the swampy ground are found Pannarla 

 iurida, P. nigro-cincta, Leptogium phyllocarpum (in fruit), Stida 

 aurata, Ramalina fraxinea, &c. On the Banksias, near the 

 swamps, are Synechoblastus nigtescens, S. glatccophthalmus, Pamiaria 

 fiilvescenSi Lecanora parella, L. aira, one or two Pertussarias, and 

 graphidei of various genera. In the lilypilli scrub are found 

 Jlcematotnma Babbingionii, one or two Chiodeda, Platygrapha 

 albo-vfsiita, Trypetheliuin fumoso cinereiim, Glyphis Kirtotiiana, &c. 



While searching for these there were noticed many fungi and 

 phanerogamous plants ; also, insects and birds not readily met 

 elsewhere. Students of natural history who desire a somewhat 

 new and interesting field, are advised to try Cunninghame and 

 Rosherville. These places are easily accessible, are within a day 

 of Melbourne, board is comparatively cheap and very comfortable, 

 and the unburned and unspoiled scrub can be reached with not 

 much expenditure of strength. At Cunninghame a boat can be 

 got at the Backwater, and half-an-hour's row will delight the 

 lovers of scenery and will bring the student of natural history 

 into spots where he can study wombats, wallabies, bell birds, 

 rotten logs, leeches, ticks, and mosquitoes to his heart's content. 



