THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 43 



numerous. Spines extremely rare, or altogether wanting. Leaves 

 oblong-cuneate, i to 2 inches long, the broadest ^ inch wide 

 near the very obtuse end, margins entire. Flowers small, white, 

 in dense terminal slightly hoary panicles about 2 to 2^ inches 

 long and broad. Capsules similar to those of B. spinosa. 



This species differs from B. spinosa, Cav., in its arborescent 

 growth, larger leaves, absence of spines, and smaller and more 

 dense panicles. From B. incana, Lindl., in the absence of the 

 white hoary tomentum, and its smaller flowers and capsules. The 

 northern species, B. tenuifolia, Bail., has rather larger leaves of a 

 thinner texture, long petioles, and large but not dense panicles. 



Hob. — Near Melbourne to beyond Sale in Gippsland, and 

 many other parts of Victoria, crossing the border into South 

 Australia. Wood hard, close-grained, suitable for carving and 

 turnery work. A good substitute for Engravers' Box or Turkey 

 Box, Buxus sempervirens. 



SOME NOTES OF A TRIP TO THE VICTORIAN 



ALPS. 



By J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., Government Botanist of New South 



Wales. 

 (Communicated by F. G. A. Barnard.) 



{Bead he/ore the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 14th May, 1900.) 



Amongst the many attractions in connection with the session 

 of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science 

 held in Melbourne in January last was a trip to the Victorian 

 Alps. I gave early notice, in order that I might not be crowded 

 out, but when the expedition started I found myself in supreme 

 command, the leader, main body, and rearguard, &c, &c, being 

 represented by myself. 



A most interesting account of a similar trip by Mr. Chas. 

 Walter will be found in the Victorian Naturalist for September 

 last. This forms an excellent itinerary, and my short paper may 

 be read in conjunction with that of Mr. Walter, for I do not 

 intend to repeat anything that that gentleman has said. 



The trip may be conveniently divided into three parts : 



1. — Bright and the Bright district. 



2. — Harrietville to the Mt. St. Bernard Hospice. 



3. — The Hospice to the summit of Mount Hotham. 



The country I passed over affords a good idea of the flora. 

 One might have ascended other mountains, e.g., Mt. Feathertop, 

 but these would not have yielded further treasures, and are solely 

 of interest to the alpine climber. In the Bright district I went 

 to Wandiligong and Mongrel Creek, to the Buckland Valley 

 and Buckland River (Lower Buckland), several miles along the 

 Tawonga road, and to Porepunkah and Eurobin. 



