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6 
x THE GEELONG NATURALIST. 
The settlers of the period named often suffered by the depre- 
dations of the aborigines ; consequently, there were acts of 
‘retaliation. An old settler told me of a considerable slaughter 
not far from Port Albert. The natives had congregated 
together in a somewhat menacing form, and so alarmed the 
settlers that in self-defence fire-arms were used, and a number 
of victims fell. In a railway cutting near Stratford two 
aboriginal skeletons were found in an enbankment about four 
feet from the surface; one of the skulls was perforated, 
evidently the work of a bullet, respecting which the great day 
of secrets will alone furnish the data. 
Of animated nature in Gippsland, i.e., of original species, 
some are fast dying out, though the wallaby and kangaroo 
are not extinct; the platypus is found in considerable 
numbers. It was during my residence in Sale that the Rev. 
F. Haganaur at Ramayuck had the opportunity of proving 
the oviparous nature of this compound animal, having the 
characteristics of fish, bird and quadruped combined in one 
creature. Whenin England not long since, I found that this 
, animal was not the rarity that some would suppose, as there 
were specimens in most of the museums visited. 
Among the feathered tribes is yet to be found the emu, 
but only on one occasion did I have the chance of seeing this 
noble bird. The beautiful lyre birds are found in some parts of 
Gippsland, and very properly they are now protected by the 
Government to prevent their utter extinction. The wonga 
is found about Lake Tyers; the flesh of this bird is simply 
delicious. Parrots, paroquets, and many other species of 
lovely plumage are very numerous, while the lakes have 
millions of aquatics, such as swans, ducks, coots, gannet\s satel] 
pelicans. Here the ornithologist may revel with delight. 
In the botanical department there is much to interest: 
the largest trees in the world are said to be in Gippsland, 
surpassing in height those of the Yosemite Valley. One of 
these giants at Neerim, 20 miles from Warragul, is 420 feet 
high and go feet in circumference. In another locality, it is 
„reported that there is a tree 480 feet high. Of such specimens 
it may emphatically be said, ** Woodman, spare that tree.” 
The usual variety of the eucalyptus is found in Gippsland, but 
the red gum is in abundance. Millions of blocks are sent to 
Melbourne for road paving, and a large quantity of the 
sleepers used on the railway lines come from this district. 
(To be continued.) 
