THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 161 



mainderof the day in examining the land, a great part of which, 

 so far as I could ascertain, is of good quality, and would grow 

 fair crops and good grasses. The beautifully rounded sand-hills 

 along the coast line are covered with a variety of native grasses, 

 and imported kinds, with clover and trefoil, thrive well. From 

 observations upon the spot, I should think the island in its present 

 state capable of carrying five hundred head of cattle, and that it 

 could be vastly improved there is little doubt. The scrub, though 

 thick, is low, and there are probably four or five thousand acres 

 which, if cleared, would make a valuable and remunerative 

 grazing farm. The cattle and sheep, although taken from the 

 mainland in poor condition, were looking very well at the 

 time of my visit. Of course both the larger islands are isolated, 

 even to loneliness, and it requires a man of a contented disposi- 

 tion to live on either of them all by himself and feel happy. But 

 Mr. Burgess, whom we found like Robinson Crusoe of old, was 

 all at home, and quite contented with his surroundings. Although 

 fond of seeing out-of-the-way places myself, I cannot say that I 

 should choose to spend an indefinite time alone on " The 

 Hummocks " with no other companions than my own flocks and 

 an old bull of morose disposition, sole survivor of a herd left 

 thirty-four years ago, who roams about the northern part of the 

 island. 



As I was so much disappointed at not reaching the top of the 

 peak, Mr. Burgess kindly promised, on my return to camp, that 

 he would try the ascent with me on the following day, but he was 

 by no means sanguine of success. However, at five o'clock on 

 the 2ist we started. For the first three miles we followed along 

 the coast, among rounded sand-hills, covered with luxuriant 

 grasses, and at intervals with shrubs of various kinds, exhibiting 

 all shades of green, which added much to the charm of the 

 landscape. Passing by a long dark lagoon, where /inas superci- 

 liosa was quite at home, we left the open country, and by seven 

 o'clock, at an elevation of about one hundred feet, began climbing 

 the hill itself, and after walking, cutting, and crawling through 

 one of the densest scrubs I ever experienced, we gained the 

 summit at one o'clock. The elevation is seven hundred and 

 ninety feet by the chart, though my aneroid gave the altitude a 

 little less. 



Even the topmost pinnacle was scrubby, beneath which was 

 found a thick carpet of moss, swarming with millions of small 

 black ants. Here I observed some plants new to me, specimens 

 of which T sent to Baron von Mueller, who has kindly given me 

 the names, as follows : — Styphelia lanceolata, Smith ; Pimelia 

 ligustrina, Labill. ; Phyllanthus guiinit, Hooker; and a trifoliate 

 variety oi Boronia potygalifolia — all rather rare. 



