OF NEW HOLLAND, 139 
Upper Murrambridgee and Snowy Rivers, and it is also dif- 
fused over the plains and flats at the foot of the Alps. In 
these Downs chiefly resides the richness of New South 
. Wales, so far as grazing is concerned ; they stretch on the 
east side of the Alps for about a hundred miles, containing 
many level or slightly depressed plains, which measure from 
three to seven miles, without break or interruption, till the 
traveller reaches a slight ridge of dividing hills, skirted 
. *gain on the other side, by similar tracts. With the excep- 
on of Hakea and Brunonia, no shrub of any size can be 
deseried, and it appears certain that either these plains have 
been only lately heaved out of the sea, or else that the 
granitic gravel which overspreads them, must be the result of 
_ Some very recent geological trituration, for trees appear to 
have had no time to establish themselves thereon. "These 
wns present, at different times, different aspects. In the 
- Spring (about November), they begin to be clothed with the 
. Most luxuriant herbage, which reaches its perfection at 
Christmas, When the subsequent heat gradually destroys it, 
and in summer, the plains, from the month of April on-. 
Wards, look quite yellow, and are parched and barren. Ge- 
_ ‘herally, in winter, these Downs are partially overspread with 
Snow, and if this lasts long and the patches of vegetation on 
the banks of ponds or creeks become inaccessible to cattle, 
ay are obliged to browse upon the young branches and 
ves of Eucalyptus, in which case many of them die. As it 
s Was at the commencement of such an unfavourable season 
— hat I traversed these Downs, my botanical collections were, - 
of course, rather scanty ; especially as the hurry of my move- 
= Tti: prevented me from paying attention to the family of 
x os € and Cyperacee, so abundant in these peculiar 
ee lities, Besides possessing a good many of the plants of 
ps = mmediately preceding Class (and a palpable transition 
takes place between these two Classes), Lythrum, Potentilla, 
Euphorbia, Epilobium, Rumex, Leuzea australis, Malva, Che- 
~ “Podium, Amaranthus, Limosella, Helichrysum (a variety of 
. Peces of this last genus), Calotis, Gnaphalium, Erigeron 
