104 Lectures on the Geoloyy, Botany, of the 
as large as the edible helix poraatia, was eaten by the natives of 
the Isaaks and the Suttor. A species of the elongated form 
of clausilia was once found in the stomach of a bronze-winged 
pigeon on Comet Creek. A species of succinea was living in the 
fissures of the bark of the gum trees, and in the moist grass west 
of Darling Downs. 
Small brown leeches abounded in some water-holes west of 
Darling Downs. They were very keen within the water, but 
dropped off as soon as we lifted our feet out of it. 
Of crustaceous animals we observed occasionally the crawfish 
(astacus), which abounds in many creeks of Darling Downs as in 
other parts of the colony. A land crab, burrowing under logs of 
trees, or in the mud of water-holes, was caught several times alive. 
Dead shells were frequently observed in the dried-up water-holes. 
Probably in consequence of the extreme dryness of the season, 
we met with very few insects, and those were generally of familiar 
forms. A fine grasshopper, however, of a bright red colour, and 
with blue marks, attracted our attention on the elevated parts of 
Arnheim’s Land. We never observed fire flies ; suffered compa¬ 
ratively little from mosquitos and sand flies, but were much 
annoyed by small flies, and particularly by two species of horse 
flies, as we approached Port Essington. Various species of ants 
either attacked our meat or ran over us when lying on the ground. 
In the latter respect a very minute black ant was particularly 
troublesome. The green-tree ant, which lives on shady trees and 
shrubs, was noticed first at the Lower Lynd. 
We observed the structures of the white ant (termites) in every 
form from the narrow cone one of three feet high, to colossal piles 
fifteen feet high, and more than eight feet in diameter, with various 
buttresses and turrets. Tire latter were particularly large near the 
sea-coast. 
The native bee was so abundant in some localities that numbers 
of them settled on our plates and hands. Their honey was very 
aromatic in those parts where the native marjoram grew. Hornets 
attacked us frequently at the commencement of our journey, and 
stung ourselves and our cattle, which became wild, and in conse¬ 
quence upset their load. 
