492 MOUNT WILSON AND ITS FERNS, 



sometimes a little to the E. and then to the W., at an average 

 elevation of about 3,400 feet. Along some portions of the 

 road the residents have planted long avenues of chestnuts, walnuts, 

 elms, and other English forest trees, all of which are growing in the 

 greatest luxuriance. The various homesteads are surrounded by 

 grounds, orchards, and gardens, where the English fruit trees, 

 shrubs, plants, and flowers grow in great exuberance. 



Mt. Wilson extends from the point of ascent about six miles in 

 a general north-easterly direction with a few slight undulating 

 depressions. The highest portions are all basaltic, and covered 

 with the richest soil, growing huge eucalypti, sassafras, shrubs, 

 Dicksonia antarctica and other ferns in great profusion, but this 

 rich basaltic soil seldom extends lower than 300 to 400 feet below 

 the crowns of the hills, except in a few gullies, where the detritus 

 has reached a little lower. The ordinary Hawkesbury sandstone 

 of the Blue Mountains is then met with, and no other kind of 

 volcanic or sedimentary rock was noticed. The creeks or gullies 

 nearest to the present residences are called the Waterfall, Cox's. 

 Cascade, and Crab Creeks. At the heads of most of them there is 

 a spring issuing frequently near the junction of the basaltic and 

 sandstone rocks. One well, sunk 22 feet in rich basaltic soil, gives 

 an excellent supply of good water. 



The English grasses thrive well; the Cocksfoot appears to be the 

 most in favour and produces a heavy crop of succulent feed. Red 

 and white clover, and perennial rye-grass also grow well. 



There are no kangaroos, but an occasional wallaby is seen where 

 any patches of grass occur. Dingoes are sometimes heard at night, 

 but do little mischief. 



Mr. J. D. Cox informs me that he has obtained about 60 species 

 of birds in the neighbourhood .These include hawks, owls, one goat- 

 sucker, kingfishers, diamond-birds, magpies, shrikes, flycatchers, 

 robins, the lyre-bird, several species of Sericornis and of Acanthiza^ 

 thrushes, the satin-bird, honey-eaters tree-creepers, parrots, 

 pigeons, one quail, and the curlew. 



To the real lover of ferns, Mt. Wilson is as charming a spot as 

 can be found anywhere in our Island, The rich volcanic soil on 

 the crowns and on the sides and bottoms of the creeks and gullies, 



