



THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 53 



At the appointed time, two members exchanged salutations 

 outside the booking office, amid a very miscellaneous crowd, 

 mostly equipped with still more miscellaneous weapons, some of 

 which, by their appearance, might have landed at the historic 

 event that formed the excuse for the holiday being celebrated. 



After waiting without result to the last possible minute for the 

 appearance of fellow members, seats were secured, and the train 

 was soon whirling along through the burnt-up and bare-looking 

 country stretching on either side for the greater portion of the 

 journey. At Sunbury all heads were craned to see the residence 

 of Sir Wilham Clarke and its beautiful surroundings, the little 

 lake, with a gondola floating idly on its unruffled surface, exciting 

 feelings of longing in the breast of one of the party, who would 

 have liked a jar full of the water for quiet examination at home. 



Macedon reached, an agreeable surprise awaited us in the 

 shape of fellow members, bringing up the total number to seven, 

 two having been in the train, two having walked across from 

 Woodend, and Mr. Hogg being resident in the district. Learning 

 from him that our appointed leader, Mr. Frost, was unavoidably 

 compelled to be absent, we gladly placed ourselves under his 

 guidance, and were soon seated in a cab, making for the hotel, 

 where the travellers from town were not sorry to have some 

 breakfast. This over, they rejoined the party, who had made 

 their way to the Williconcon Creek, and a start was made along 

 its course. 



Log-rolling for planarian worms soon commenced, but few 

 were obtained at first. Entomological specimens were also 

 keenly sought after, but only a common Crambus observed. 

 Gradually we began to mount upward, leaving the creek below, 

 the path being somewhat rough, with here and there a fallen tree 

 stretched across, under which we had to stoop, or else clamber 

 over. On the slope between the track and the creek was a 

 considerable amount of fallen timber, and the planarian hunters 

 began to be somewhat more successful. Some scorpions and 

 myriapods were also captured. 



By the side of the path, a colony of the beautiful little Bronze 

 Long-horn Moth (Adela) were observed, occupied in their 

 characteristic mazy flight in the bright sunshine, rising and falling 

 in much the same manner as a column of midges on a summer's 

 evening. One sweep of the net secured sufficient to ensure a 

 series, and once more progress was resumed, until we reached a 

 secluded and shaded spot, which gave our ornithologist his first 

 chance, specimens of the Mountain Thrush and Rufous-fronted 

 Flycatcher being secured. 



After more walking, which would have been fatiguing had it 

 not been for the cool breeze, we emerged upoa a small clearing, 

 in which a couple of cottages were erected, occupied by the 



