6 R. Henry Walcott: 



While there may be certain characteristics absent from the for-- 

 mation of Lake Keilambete, they do not put nearly such a barrier- 

 in the way of ascribing its origin wholly, or in part to a volcanic 

 explosion, as the presence of other characteristics do to the accept- 

 ance of the explanation that the lake basin is a simple subsidence- 

 in the land surface. 



The site of Lake Keilambete may, therefore, be considered on 

 good grounds the source from which the tuffs surounding it were 

 derived, but evidence has not yet been collected to show that it has 

 contributed to the Pejark Marsh tuff, although quite likely enough 

 it has done so to some extent. Lake Terang has an area of 

 one square mile, 15 or half that of Lake Keilambete, and, strangely 

 enough, although it is without an apparent outlet, the water in it 

 is fresh, unlike that of Keilambete. It also lacks the conspicuous 

 circular form of Keilambete, and its irregularity, which is really 

 nob by any means marked, is emphasised by the varying height of 

 the surrounding hills. The township of Terang is situated along- 

 the northern slope of these hills, but also spreads on to the level 

 country, both eastward and northward. At the east end of the 

 lake the hills are low, forming a gradual rise from the country 

 beyond. Following along the township the elevation increases 

 right to the west end of the lake, where the greatest prominence- 

 is attained, and is deemed worthy of the title of Mount Terang.. 

 From Mt. Terang, tapering hills extend further to the westward. 

 Continuing round the lake the land rapidly falls away until a 

 gap, forming the lowest part of the ring, is reached, and this is 

 succeeded again on the south by somewhat prominent hills extend- 

 ing to another gap at the east end. 



The greatest depth of water, which is in the centre of the lake,, 

 at the time of the Author's visit (1909) was said to be three feet. 

 In this respect it differs much from Lake Keilambete, which, ac- 

 cording to the geological quarter sheet, had a depth of 96 feet in 

 the year 1888. It is also said that when the early settlers came to 

 Terang there were 30 feet or more of water in Lake Terang, and' 

 that it even flowed out through the gap on the south-west side. 

 As the surface of the water has not been lowered to this extent, it 

 is believed by local residents that the bottom has risen. 



The growth of peaty vegetation has given some foundation for 

 tliis belief, but it does not explain the reduction in the volume of 

 water. This can only be accounted for by its draining away along- 



15. Intercolonial Exhibition Essays, Melbourne, 1866. 



