Hhjhlduch of WeMern Victoria. 255 



often with an appreciable slope and "with marked difference of 

 level at different parts: Abrupt inequalities would be found at 

 places, as, for instance, on the east fa-ce of the Grampians, the 

 south face of the Pyrenees, and to the south-west of Bacchus 

 Marsh. In other cases the fall would be gradual as from 

 Daylesford south-westerly. We must bear in mind, howe\'er, 

 that it is possible for a long gradual slope of the summits to be 

 a result of denudation of a once level surface; as the lower 

 parts of the valleys are likely tO' be deeper and wider, the 

 ridges between them, if narrow, may be reduced in height. 



The plain clearly does not conform to the folds of the under- 

 lying rocks, and is a plaiin due to excavation, not accumulation 

 of material. As the superficial deposits of the plain are of 

 terrestrial origin we may regard the plain as due to subaerial 

 denudation, and as representing a peneplain formed by long 

 continued erosion. 



Possibly ai few low ridges older than the peneplain may still 

 be recognised. The present highest point in Western Victoria 

 i^ Mt. William, 3827 feet above sea level ; Mt. Buangor in the 

 Pyrenees reaches 3247- Mt. Buangor is, however, simply a part 

 of the sloping plateau stretching far to the north. If it were 

 part of an older peneplain we would expect more advanced dis- 

 section of the mass, Avhereas the steep valleys of the south 

 slope of the Pja-enees are clearly of no great antiquity. Also 

 if Mt. William and the accompanying ridges had existed before 

 the peneplain was established, we Avould expect them to be either 

 more di.s.sectefl, or that we would find marine deposits extending 

 into their deep valleys. Both of these are best regarded as 

 most elevated parts of the peneplain itself. The peak of Mt. 

 Ararat is in the hai'd contact rocks adjacent to the granitic 

 rock, and with the present small width of the ridge would 

 naturally result from denudation of a late date, and still in 

 progi'ess. 



The granitic hills of Mts. Beckworth. Bolton and Misery 

 appear to be possible peaks risin<r above the peneplain ; the 

 highest points of the first two of these, at whatever date estab- 

 lished, are due to the resistant character of a fine grair.ed 

 o'ranite poor in mica. Their relation to the general level of the 

 peneplain is obscured by the extensive basaltic covering on buth 



