filled with quiet soul-like sounds which, when one's attention is 

 gained to them, make a man feel as if he must take his shoes from 

 his feet, and walk barefooted, in order not to disturb them." 



On the high banks, near Hodgson's punt, the Grevillea Latrobei 

 may be obtained ; and about the same locality various Orchideai. 

 Diuris maculata (R. Brown, prod. 315) its pretty yellow flowers, 

 richly marked with dark brown spots ; D. sulphurea ; D. aurea ; 

 Caladenia carnea; C. ccerulea; C. alata; C. pulcherrima (spider 

 orchis). Pterostylis cucullata (hooded orchis), the entire plant 

 green, found at the foot of trees in shady places ; and Glossodia 

 minor. Of the Asphoddeae, Coesia corymbosa, with blue flowers, and 

 yellow anthers, is, indeed, a bright star. Stylidium graminifolium 

 (N. O. stylideoe) is much too exquisite a flower to be omitted, with 

 its grassy leaves, and pink petals ; and Stackhousia monogyna 

 abounds everywhere. Mosses, which are so plentiful at home, are 

 less so here, but the following may be gathered without much 

 searching for : — Hypnum recognitum (Hedwig) ; Dryptodon Africanus 

 (Mueller): Funaria hygrometrica (Hedwig), a species of Fimbriaria; 

 Dicranum purpureum (Hedwig) ; and the handsome lichen, Cetraria 

 aculeata (Fries.) 



We were amused one day, as we lay in contemplation by the 

 river's side, in watching a nest of ants. Pliny tells us of ants 

 which entered the bowels of the earth, in search of gold ; surely 

 this must have been an auriferous district so busily were they all 

 engaged. After observing our little companions for some time, we 

 placea a small pebble at the entrance of the nest, jusfr blocking it 

 up sufficiently to allow of only one of the community being admit- 

 ted at a time. There were no ants near at the time, but presently 

 one advanced to the mouth of the hole, and, on observing the ob- 

 struction, endeavoured with his fore feet to dislodge it ; finding it 

 resist all his efforts, he crept into the nest, first removing a portion 

 of the earth to admit of freer ingress or egress ; — we anticipated his 

 intention — in a few seconds he returned with a comrade, and the} r 

 both applied their whole strength ; — in a moment the pebble moved, 

 and it was apparent there was some force applied underneath, 

 which was quickly proved by its being rolled gradually away, and 

 about twenty little fellows emerging, each applying its tiny back to 



