THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 57 
towards the brow of the Hoddle Range, crossing several creeks 
lined with belts of small timber. Just before making the brow of 
the range the road became somewhat steeper, but not for long. The 
height of the range, perhaps 1000 feet, being made up chiefly in the 
long slope up from the sea. After making the brow of the range, 
it is difficult to say whether the track went up or down. It crossed 
an elevated heathy plateau, over which the evening breeze blew 
keenly, with belts of small timber in the hollows. As we crossed no 
creeks, we were apparently following a watershed line. Before us 
we could see, from time to time, the Bald Hills, near which we ex- 
pected to find a creek andtocamp. Atabout sundown we descended 
into a hollow just under the Bald Hills. Here we found a good creek 
and timber and a fenced enclosure. It was a complete solitude, not 
baying seen a human habitation since we left Yanakie. We had 
come that day twenty-two miles. It rained during the night. 
Rising the next morning, the sky was overcast so that we could 
not see the sun. We bathed in the creek, and as we were proceed- 
ing to get breakfast we saw clouds gathering round the Bald Hills, 
black as we had seldom or never seen before, and it began to thunder 
and lighten and rain with a great downpour. We took shelter in 
our tent, but the wind so bent down the saplings to which it was 
tied, that the canvas hung in bags and consequently let in water. 
When the rain ceased we packed up and continued our course to the 
Tarwin. ‘The country was similar, descending with an almost im- 
perceptible slope. ‘There was a strong biting wind in our faces, and 
occasional showers. After a while we got among clumps of tea- 
serub and left a branch track to our left which we understood went 
to Black's station, and in another mile orso we came upon selectors’ 
fences and habitations, the first we had seen since leaving Yanakie, 
and soon after we came out on the banks of the Tarwin. When we 
had crossed it before at Mirboo South, it was a fine mountain 
stream about up to the horse’s knees ; it was now a tidal river as big 
as the Saltwater at its junction with the Yarra, and capable of 
floating a craft of considerable size. On enquiry we learned that it 
was about four o'clock, for our only watch had stopped and we could 
not see the sun ail day, that the bridge was two or three miles up, 
and it was doubtful whether it was so finished that we could cross 
it. We determined, therefore, to try the ferry. Our packs were 
accordingly put in a small dingy and the horse had to swim, and we 
soon found ourselves on a piece of grassy land on the opposite bank, 
over which the water was rapidly rising. We loaded as quickly as 
possible and endeavoured to keep the track. This it was difficult to 
do where it was all under water. The result was we soon got off it 
into a ditch, where the horse went down, sending our top packs and 
one of the saddle-bags into the salt water. We got in up to our 
middles in getting it out again. This was not promising late in the 
