THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 5 
My “Loranth” friend found it parasite on itself, which so de- 
lighted him that he ascended the zig-zag road ahead of me, 
oblivious to the St. Andrew’s cross spiders, which had festooned 
the road with their strong webs, and making a track through 
these horrors for which I was peculiarly grateful. 
At the bend of the road’ you have a fine view ot the 
Creek as it winds away to the Hast. A zig-zag road is visible 
on the opposite cliffs, and evidently connects with the Wise- 
man’s Ferry Road, and this road should be worth a visit from 
the evidence of mountain forms of plants we have from time 
to time secured in the vicinity. 
The Hawkesbury is fed from the Southern Tablelands, 
Blue Mountains, and the hills at the back of Gosford, and its 
gullies, sometimes ravines, are well worth exploring, apart 
from their natural beauties. : 
An old stone mile post at the last lap of the ascent show 
20 miles, i.e., six to Hornsby, and with four hours to use up we 
“daunder’ home, well satisfied with our trip and admit that 
the Hawkesbury sandstone has still some attractions, even on a 
hot summer’s day. 
EXCURSION TO GALLIPOLI STAIRS, MIDDLE 
HARBOUR, MAY 7th, 1921. 
A large number of members and friends were present. 
Miss Le Plastrier being unfortunately unable to attend, Mr. A. 
A. Hamilton acted as leader, and our thanks are due to him 
for a successful afternoon, and for naming the plants col- 
lected. Growing underneath the stairs were many young plants 
of Pteris incisa, while at the top a variety of specimens were 
collected, including Phyllanthus, Lasiopetalum ferruginewm,’ 
Hibbertia Billardieri, Juncus, Hriostemon Crowei, Phebalium 
squamulosum, Scaevola hispida, Trachymene linearis, Baeckea 
crenulata, Styphelia microphylla, Acacia myrtifolia, A. juni- 
perina, Grevillea punicea, G. buxifolia, Cryptandra ericifolia, 
Cassinia denticulata, Angophora cordifolia, Calycothrix, Bos- 
siaea heterophylla, Hemigenia purpurea, Philotheca, Bauera 
rubiodes. The specimens of Bossiaea heterophylla at this spot 
had: very poor flowers and small leaves, further on the same 
species was collected, having larger flowers and more healthy 
looking leaves, while further on again the flowers and foliage 
had attained their true characters. Doubtless this has an in- 
teresting ecological significance. Hemigenia purpurea, was 
