THE 



tyxctovian tyatxxvali&t* 



Vol. VII.— No. 10. FEBRUARY, 1891. No. 86 



A SPRING DAY AMONGST THE WILD FLOWERS. 



By G French, F.L.S. 



(Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 8t/i December, 



1890J 



The absence in Victoria of a real typical spring has been often 

 referred to by those who, coming fresh from England, miss the 

 splendid sight of the budding elms, sycamores, horse chestnuts, 

 beeches, oaks, &c. What can be more delightful to a lover of 

 Nature in her many phases than a walk on a fine morning in an 

 English spring, when clouds of subdued colour seem to lend such 

 a peaceful aspect to what may be termed the thoroughly English 

 landscape. In Victoria, however, we can offer many advantages, 

 as a bright, clear, blue sky, with sufficient warmth to make one 

 feel comfortable ; and although we cannot boast of a distinct 

 season of spring, we have much to be thankful for in the shape of 

 beautiful wild flowers, gay-plumaged birds, brilliantly coloured 

 insects, marvellous fern gullies, and other advantages almost 

 unknown in cooler climates. Turning these matters over in my 

 mind, and having a vivid recollection of both sides of the picture, 

 I resolved to spend a quiet day alone amongst the wild flowers 

 about the heath ground near the coast. 



I left Melbourne for Frankston, on the 20th of September, by 

 the early morning train, and as it had been raining somewhat 

 heavily nearly the whole of the previous night, everything looked 

 delightfully fresh and beautiful, the morning being just comfortably 

 warm for travelling. To attempt to note the marvellous changes 

 observable, even in passing through districts at railroad speed, 

 would require a far abler pen than mine ; so I shall simply confine 

 myself to noting a few of the principal places, on the present sites 

 of many of which used to be the collecting grounds of former 

 days — now townships, shires, and even towns are built, each having 

 its own share of responsibilities, as well as advantages. One of 

 the first things to strike one upon leaving Flinders-street station 

 is to note the difference between the former very humble residence 

 of the late Governor Latrobe — the site of which can still be noted 



