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The general physical features of the Sassafras Tableland, on 

 either side the watershed are simple but marked, shallow, open, 

 basin-like gullies, and wide fiats, surrounded by low steep scarps 

 of weathered rock, the dividing ridges covered with stunted 

 timber, or forming open heaths and scrubby spaces, and the flats 

 usually swampy and clothed with coarse grass. Tliese spots are 

 in fact swamps and feeders for the headwaters of the creeks 

 previously named. On the south, in addition to the Clyde River, 

 the Endrick brancli known as the Bulee Creek, takes its rise in 

 olishoots from Mt. Sassafras, a long narrow nortli and south 

 ridge separating the former from the two latter. The Clyde 

 River, two or three miles from its source forms a precipitous 

 ravine, or goi'ge, 600 feet deep. The V)asaltic spurs and summit 

 of Mt. Sassafras support a vigorous growth of Messmate, the 

 change to a more stunted form of Eucalypt, the moment the 

 Hawkesbury Sandstone is reached, being a most marked one. 



The gullies on the north and north-easterly aspect of the 

 Sassafras present quite a different character, being very deep, 

 with steep sides, clothed by a dense subtropical vegetation of 

 vines, creepers, tree ferns, various large Eucalypts. and the 

 handsome Sassafras tree ( Dorypliora sasmfrai^), fiom which the 

 general plateau takes its name. This beautiful tree occurs 

 throughout T.he Illawarra country, following the coast region, but 

 it is particularly abundant hereabouts. A magnificent view is 

 obtained from the higher parts of Mt. Sas.safras where the ground 

 has been cleared, over the Shoalhav^en Valley and Jervis Bay, 

 with Mount Cooloomgatta in the distance, frequently seen above 

 the floating clouds of the low ground. The course of the creeks 

 previously mentioned, flowing to the northward, is particularly 

 well marked, from the scarp-like outline assumed by the Hawkes- 

 bury rocks at the margin of the deep gorges whicli they have cut. 



The Clyde River,* about three niilee from its source in the 

 Sassafras swamps, in a fine deep ravine, witli similar branch 

 gullies presenting high perpendicular precipices of sandstone, 

 producing scenery closely resembling that of the Blue Mountains, 

 supporting a subtropical growth, which renders progression very 

 difficult. Deep waterholes and falls are numerous, and the bed 

 of the river is generally rocky and encumbered with huge 

 boulders and fallen blocks. A few years ago the Coal Measures 

 were discovered in this river underlying the Hawkesbury Sand- 

 stone, and the seams of coal were reportedf on by Mr. N. Taylor, 

 of the Victorian Geological Survey. We visited the seams in 

 question, situated in the Parish of Endrick, three 640 acre blocks 



*A short shetch of the Geology of the Clyde River was yiven many 

 years ago by Mr. Alexander Berry, in a jaaper entitled " On the Geology 

 of part of the Coast of New South Wales." [13arron Field's Geographical 

 Memoirs of N.S. Wales, pp. 246-248 (8vo, London, 1825).] 



fHis lleport appeared m the Milton and Ulladullu Times. 



