11 
the species to Mr. Boulenger, as a slight recognition of the 
impetus which he has given to herpetological science by formu- 
lating a definite method for the description of the species 
belonging to this interesting sub-order. 
REPORT OF A COLLECTING TRIP TO MOUNT 
KOSCIUSKO. 
By Richard Helms. 
( Abridged from his Report to the Curator, ) 
Leaving Sydney on the 5th February by night train, and reaching 
Michelago about 7 a.m., \ proceeded without delay by coach to 
Cooma. On account of the boisterous weather of the previous 
night the roads were very bad, and the prospect of success in 
my undertaking, which almost entirely depended on fine weather, 
was therefore not very hopeful. All my boxes got saturated, 
which compelled me to unpack them to prevent the contents 
getting spoiled. This increased my discomfort, for anxious as I 
was to make my tour a success, particularly as it was my first 
for your Institution, the outset was so discouraging that it 
almost disheartened me. Moreover everyone predicted a long 
continuance of bad weather, this having been the usual experience 
in that part of the country after the breaking up of a long dry 
season. I t is pleasing to relate, therefore, that since I left Cooma 
only a few rainy days have stopped my collecting, but I was at 
a great disadvantage in reaching the field of operations at such 
a late time of the season, when most of the shrubs and trees were 
past flowering. Another disadvantage was that I reached Jinda- 
byne, the last settlement near the mountains at a time when 
everyone was engaged in harvesting, and consequently a con 
siderable difficulty arose about getting a guide and packhorses to 
enable me to push on at once to the highest peaks of the range. 
I am however doubtful whether after all much has been lost, for 
whilst waiting to get a guide, &c., I put my time in well at 
another place, and what I missed from the highest altitudes, I 
gained in extra numbers where I collected, many of which also 
proved highly interesting. To collect successfully at these high 
altidudes, it is my opinion one ought to be there before the 
beginning of January, and stay at least during the whole of 
that month, when the floral development displays its greatest 
luxuriance. The high winds which commonly prevail at altitudes 
above 4,000 feet, are very detrimental to successful collecting ; 
but occasionally almost dead calms are experienced, and during 
such periods insect life appears abundant. 
