I 



BY T. GRIFFITH TAYLOR. 



337 



night. The conditions are eminently favourable for great evapora- 

 tion. The wind will drive a layer of water several miles from 



Russell: floiy. £o 



— Glover 'o/ — > 



Fig. 4. — Variations in the level of Lake George, 1815-1907. 



the actual lowest spot, and before it can flow back the sun's heat 

 has reclaimed it for the atmosphere. 



The Lake-bottom is now covered with a wiry form of grass, 

 with a marsh-loving buttercup, and with several plants allied to 

 the saltbush. These latter flourish in the saline soil, and are 

 much relished by sheep after they become used to the new food. 

 The saline flora is a new importation, I was assured. The Lake 

 is now portioned into grazing leases, and fences run nearly across 

 the bed. The local sheep-breeders for the most part much prefer 

 the Lake dry, since many extra sheep can be carried on their 

 runs. Water of a very pure type can be obtained almost an}-- 

 where along the western shore, at a depth of 12 to 30 feet, and 

 several wind-mills are now engaged in raising it to elevated tanks 

 for distribution. At the same time the neglected boathouses, 

 jetties, and decaying boats and launches which are to be seen 

 near Bungendore, recall the good old times when the Lake 

 teemed with Murray cod, to be replaced later by carp; and when 

 black duck and other game were in the habit of frequenting the 

 huge sheet of water. 



Lately arrived foreigners, in the shape of foxes and rabbits, 

 are hardly calculated to equal the old fauna from an economic 

 point of view. 



From 1828 to 1864, the Lake was only for one year (1852) 

 more than ten feet deep, so that the indications seem to point 

 rather to a continuance of the present arid conditions, so far as 

 one is able to judge from records not yet extending over a century. 



