THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 93 



may be removed. I do not, however, desire to put forward an 

 opinion on the subject, not being a geologist ; but only give the 

 above description en passant. 



To return to my subject, viz., collecting insects, &c, I now 

 found that the only method to pursue was to overturn as many 

 of the stones as possible. After a few hours' hard work in the 

 sun, we reached the summit, the view from this point being very 

 good indeed, owing doubtless to the level nature of the sur- 

 rounding country, Mount Hope being plainly visible about six 

 miles away. The day having been spent in climbing about 

 rather than in collecting, I did not obtain very many specimens, 

 still I took two species of butterflies, several beetles, a few small 

 lizards, and others of different orders, and, returning home, we 

 were ready to do justice to a rather late dinner. On the Monday 

 following I saw a quantity of catfish at the local railway station, 

 ready to be sent to the market. They were peculiar in appear- 

 ance, resembling an eel, but much shorter and thicker, having, I 

 think, four filaments on both upper and lower lips ; locality, 

 Kow Swamp, some sixteen miles distant. I spent the afternoon 

 of this day at the hill, taking more lizards, two species of 

 Lygosoma, and Hinulia whitei (Lacep. sp.), together with various 

 other insects. The mosquitos were very troublesome. 



Again, on the following day, Tuesday, the 2nd ultimo, I 

 visited the hill, making this time a larger detour, taking in the 

 other hills. This day I captured a different lizard, for the first 

 time. I afterwards managed to secure other specimens, twice 

 taking them in pairs — this, I believe, proves to be the best 

 capture I made during my stay, being a new species of Tropi- 

 dalopisma (albonotata, M'Coy). I exhibit three specimens (two 

 full grown, one young).* The Marbled Gecko {Diplodactylus 

 marmoratus, Gray), was very plentiful. I also obtained another 

 species of the Gecko. Re mosquitos, I cannot say I like them 

 as much as some of our members, for twice I had to leave the 

 hill, owing to them being so numerous. On this occasion they 

 attacked me by dozens ; they seemed as if determined to drive 

 me away, for I went round three sides of the hill, and eventually 

 had to leave the field to my enemies. On my way back I 

 decided to try the waterholes ; but no sooner did I turn the 

 contents of my net out for inspection than they swarmed round 

 me, so that I retired in their favour again. I ought to add, in 

 justice to them, that their "bark is worse than their bite," for 

 after, say, a dozen stings, you feel very little irritation, the effect 

 not lasting more than an hour or two, and disappearing by the 

 time you reach home. Going again on Friday, the 5th ultimo, 

 after making my way nearly to the summit, I noticed a large 

 lizard, Egernia cunninghami (Gray), sunning itself on the ledge of 



* Since writing the above, I learn that Mr. C. Frost took this species as 

 far back as October last year. 



