EY THE EEY. J. E. TEXISON"-WOODS, F.G.S. 385 



sand-drifts aud isolated granite mountains, is perfectly level, and 

 the sand lies loosely upon it. But in crossing such drift rido-es 

 one would often be deceived as to their character. They are 

 like mountain ranges, and the partly consolidated sand, which 

 forms isolated masses of calcareous sandstone, lends a support to 

 this impression. It may safely be stated that the greatest part 

 of Australia is covered by formations such as these. 



deferring now to the fertile character of the country according 

 to its physical structure, it may be stated generally that the 

 narrow strip which lies between the table-land and the sea is well 

 watered by mountain streams, and the alluvial land in the neigh- 

 bourhood of these channels is rich and fertile. This includes 

 the larger portion of such areas. On the table-land, where the 

 mountains are not too rocky and rugged, the soil includes many 

 fertile areas ; but that is generally on the volcanic strata, which 

 are fortunately of wide extent. We may feel astonished at the 

 immense scale on which volcanic disturbance existed in Australia 

 in tertiary times, but probably it is less in proportion to the area 

 than that which took place in Miocene times in Britain. Thus 

 in the JS'orth of Ireland there is a basaltic flow, 500 miles long by 

 30 wide, or about 1,200 square miles, which attains in many 

 places a thickness of 900 feet. 



The lands of the interior are, as a rule, poor, except in the 

 river valleys. Towards the central basin of the Continent they 

 are in all respects like the Sahara, or the table-lands and prairie 

 lands of America. The colony of Victoria is better situated with 

 regard to its lands than any other. It is well watered, and has a 

 larger share of the fertile areas (basaltic) between the table-land 

 and the sea. The portions of the table-lands themselves which 

 fall to its inheritance are also rich in volcanic tracts. 



The colony of South Australia may be said to be, as far as the 

 richness of its lands is^concerned, all the valleys and slopes of 

 the riinders K-ange. As this is about 500 miles long, and of 



