[97] When travelling as a stranger in the most secluded part of the colony, and sometimes obliged to seek refuge for the night in a hut, of whom the person in charge and those about him, were convicts, or having to depend upon them for directions as to the road, having my watch and other property with me, I never missed the most trifling article, and always found them ready and willing to afford every assistance: there are, of course, always exceptions among a multitude; but I state the result of my own experience, after travelling upwards of six hundred miles in the colony. [98] A small species of _Xanthorrhœa_, or yellow gum tree, called Modandara by the aborigines, was abundant on the ranges. The bases of the young leaves of this plant are eaten by the natives, and the taste is agreeable. [99] Mr. Hamilton Hume informed me that the Bugong is found also by the aborigines inhabiting the country about the Snow Mountains, to the southward; forming their principal food during the summer. These insects are said to ascend from the lowland to the more elevated spots, only during the summer season. [100] Among the botanical specimens collected in this part of the country, were _Eryngium_, resembling _vesiculosum_; _Utricularia dichotoma_, (with blue, and also a variety with white flowers,) in the swamps; _Drosera peltata_; and species of the following genera:—_Westringia_; _Grevillea_; _Croton_; _Convolvulus_; _Leptospermum_; _Dillweynia_; _Malva_; _Linum_; _Brownea_; _Davisea_; _Juncea_; _Loranthus_; _Cyperus_; _Veronica_; _Senecio_; _Callytris_; _Centaurea_; _Sida_, &c. &c. [101] This second group was situated on a gradually declining part of the mountain, in many parts densely wooded; but from which we commanded a fine view of the continuous range to a great distance. [102] Captain Cook mentions, that at Thirsty Sound, on the coast of New South Wales, he found an incredible number of butterflies; so that, for the space of three or four acres, the air was so crowded with them, that millions were to be seen in every direction, at the same time that every branch and twig was covered with others that were not upon the wing: and Captain King observes, (Survey of the Coasts of Australia, vol. i. p. 195,) “Here, (Cape Cleveland,) as well as at every other place that we had landed upon within the tropic, the air is ‘crowded’ with a species of butterfly, a great many of which were taken. It is, doubtless, the same species as that which Captain Cook remarks as so plentiful in Thirsty Sound. The numbers seen by us were indeed incredible; the stem of every grass tree, (_Xanthorrhœa_,) which plant grows abundantly upon the hills, was covered with them; and on their taking wing, the air appeared, as it were, in perfect motion. It is a new species; and is described, by my friend Mr. W. S. Macleay, under the name of _Euploea hamata_.”