346 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



was almost no beach, the steep banks, densely covered with 

 shrubs and trees, rising nearly perpendicularly out of the 

 water. In many spots Metrosideros stipularis formed a regu- 

 lar fringe, with its lower branches dipping into the water. 

 We found specimens of several plants observed at Port Otway, 

 including a couple of creepers, one of them Bignoniaceous, 

 judging from its foliage, but met with little that was absolutely 

 new to us, one or two lichens excepted. Lomaria horyana 

 here attained a great size, the stems of some plants being as 

 much as eight to nine inches in diameter, by fully two feet 

 in height. As usual, there was a great destitution of animal 

 life, but one interesting discovery, due to Dr. Campbell (whom 

 I found on all occasions an invaluable coadjutor in my re- 

 searches on shore), was made, viz. that of a fine specimen of 

 a species of Helix, fully an inch in diameter, of a depressed 

 form, with a wide umbilicus. The animal was of a purplish- 

 black colour. Although we anxiously sought for other indi- 

 viduals, we were completely unsuccessful, and we never met 

 with a second example in any locality later visited by us. Un- 

 fortunately, I have not been able to lay my hands on the soli- 

 tary example, wluch was sent to the British Museum along with 

 nearly all the invertebrate animals collected, so that I cannot 

 state with certainty to what species it belonged. In general 

 appearance it bore a considerable resemblance to the Helix 

 Audouinii of D'Orbigny. 



The following day being Sunday, we remained at anchor. 

 The day was fine and bright, with only occasional rain, and 

 the harbour appeared to great advantage. At the head a fine 

 cataract comes rushing down, and at the foot of this three 

 porpoises were engaged for some time in disporting them- 

 selves in the perturbed water. The low trees of Winter's- 

 bark, " Cipres," Maytenus, evergreen beech, and Metrosideros, 



