54 
I he Soitlh Ausiralian NaturalisL 
Among the natural history specimens in the district was a 
peculiar species of grasshopper, in form and colour strongly re- 
sembly a gum leaf. The watercourses, which were wide and deep, 
became, in seasons of heavy rain, raging torrents. It was noted 
that the gumtrees were blackened on the up-stream side only. 
'J'hat was explained as having been caused by the burning of deb 
ris which had been heaped up on that side by the floods. In a 
cave they found a pair of bats, which were afflicted with rare 
parasites. At the Arkaba Asbestos Mine the party were shown 
some excellent native asbestos, but the mine had to be abandoned 
some excellent native asbestos, but the mine had to be abandoned, 
Mr. ITartholomaeus drove the party to Wilpena Pound, now 
owned by Mr. Hunt. Beautiful green grass, huge gums, graceful 
pines, and a penitanent running stream combine to make this 
station one ol the most beautiful [daces in the State. Mrs Hunt 
had an excellent garden, and grew vegetables. The huts and 
sheds w'ere built of northern pine, which like the tea tree, defied 
attack by white ants. South of the camp thci'c was an imposing 
point, Rawling’s I^eak. At the bott<)m of the entrance gully was 
a large swamj’t surrounded with laxurioi.is grass. The euros graz- 
ed tliere, but cattle did not thrive on it. Trom the camp a picture 
was taken of enchanting scenery. The track, shaded by stately 
red gums, wandered alongside a permanent stream, w'hich farther 
on. widened, and resembled a miniature lake. The actual entrance 
to the pound was a narrow bcjttleneck, with on one side precipi- 
tous lulls, and on the other sloping rock, with the creek at the 
bottom. Previous to 1914 the place was leased to a farmer, who 
]>ut in an enormous amount of work in making a. metal road, 
which had since been wiped out by the floods. Just within the 
pound a serious of rock}' terraces of a beautiful pink colour ran 
transversely across the creek. 'The party dubbed them the *Tink 
lerraccs.’’ Mr. Hunt hoped to introduce trout into the pools, 
whicli seemed admirably adapted for that [nirpose. I'he road 
along the bank was bordered with moss 15 ft. deep. At the time 
ol the \isit tlie moss was afire in places, and if any one- stepped 
there he would have sunk several feet into the ludden smoulder- 
ing ashes. Idaif a mile along the track the homestead constructed 
bv the farmer previously mentioned came into view. It was a 
substantially-built stone house, surrounded by an orchard and 
with stables, cowsheds, and piggeries. All the building material 
had to be conveyed from Hawker, and nearly all the labour was 
done by his own hands. In a dry season a prolific crop of wheat 
could be raised inside the pound, but in a normal season such 
grain perished from excess of moisture. 'Phe interior of the pound 
