Page:Sea and River-side Rambles in Victoria.djvu/137

118 to the river from the sea is barred by a reef; but it is about this locality that we can collect such magnificent Alga, driven in here by the high waves. Let us see now; here is a mass which we pull in on our oar's blade, and we find Areschotugia conferta, Acrotylus, Apjohnia lætevirens, Ballia Brunonia; and in a heap thrown up on the beach we discover no less than six different species of Caulerpa, viz.:—geminata, filifolia, sedioides, hypnoides, scalpelliformis, and obscura, Codium tomentosum frequent, Callophyllis, Bryopsis, Curdiæa, Conferva. There are little rocks at the mouth of the river on which grows the elegant box-leaved Alyxia, the wood of which is most fragrant. We once nearly lost our life whilst algologising on the beach near this place; the wind had been blowing a perfect hurricane for many days, causing such a commotion along the coast, as those only who reside westwards can understand,—a lull came, and we ventured forth, tightly buttoned up, staff in hand, to make fresh discoveries amidst the dense masses of seaweed cast on the shore. We noticed at a few paces distance a lovely Calithamnion left dry by the retreating waves, and rushed forward to secure it ere their return. We succeeded. Another met our eye, and whilst stooping to grasp it, we were thrown down by a crested wave, covered from head to foot with sand, and had we not saved ourselves by thrusting a long stick which we carried into the ground, we should hardly have been here to-day to speak of the beauties of the Hopkins. Before closing this chapter, and bidding farewell to our readers we must turn to a very pleasing article by Mackie, on " Seaweed as