254 E. 0. TIdele: 



barrier of Lake Karng. The northern portion is drained by the 

 head waters of the Wellington, while the Dolodrook drains the 

 southern. The valley of the last named includes a minor basin 

 of some comparatively open, clear country, where the serpentine 

 follows the river, and it is to this district that attention is 

 chiefly directed. 



The direction and distribution of the original streams were 

 undoubtedly impressed upon the country before the covering of 

 upper palaezoio rocks was remioved, and was no doubt largely 

 determined by structural features in these rocks, for the rectan- 

 gular dissection which marks the drainage system of the upper 

 palaeozoic belt can still be recognised in this area, somewhat 

 modified, of course, by later action of the differently disposed 

 lower palaeozoic rocks. It appears probable that this region 

 represents a much enlarged and diverted portion of an old high- 

 level, north-and-south strike valley, into which the lower Wel- 

 lington advanced from the west, by headward erosion, and thus 

 materially reinforced the denudation and dissection of the area. 

 Remnants of such valleys are still preserved in other parts of 

 the upper palaeozoic rocks at elevations of from 4000 to 5000 ft. 

 above sea level. The soil throughout the area is generally poor, 

 and vegetation, though abundant, is not luxm*iant. On the hills 

 the prevailing eucalypts are red and yellow box ; grass is 

 scanty, except in small patches on the ledges and saddles, gene- 

 rally where chocolate mudstones or basic lavas outcrop. The 

 sandstone and rhyolite outcrops are generally rough and rocky. 

 The snow'-plains are covered in part with thick belts of stunted 

 snow-gums, with occasional open and extended stretches, car- 

 peted with thick snow-grass and mossy patches, from which 

 abundant springs isisue. 



Thousands of cattle are annually driven up to these areas for 

 summer grazing, and as no boundaries or lines have been fixed 

 by the Lands Department, considerable difference of opinion 

 frequently exists as to the rights of the various gi'aziers who 

 rent these rather valuable summer pastures. 



On the low country the serpentine belt is in marked contrast 

 to the surrounding slates, and is sharply delineated by the 

 darker soil and richer grass. Unfortunately for the pastoi'al 

 prospects of this district, the favoured soil area, is of a very 

 limited extent. 



