Geological Notes, Tasmania. 127 



has been erupted through the sandstone. The later age of the 

 former may now be considered an ascertained fact. 



Lake George, which lies at the foot of Mount King William, 

 has been put down as probably of glacial origin. If this be a 

 fact, further evidence must be adduced to support it. We 

 traversed the steep slopes leading down from the mountain with- 

 out observing any evidences of former ice action. The horizontally 

 bedded sandstone forms a series of terraces across the gorge 

 leading down to the lake, a form one would hardly expect to see 

 if the rocks had been recently ice-worn. However, there is a 

 large bank or low hill across the lower end of the lake, the 

 appearance of which in the distance certainly suggests a moraine. 

 W^e were, however, unable to reach it, as the day was far spent. 



About eight miles south-west of the southern extremity of 

 Lake St. Clair lies Lake Dixon, a small lake a few acres in 

 extent. The rocks in the immediate neighbourhood present 

 points of considerable geological interest. 



The lake is picturesquely situated in a valley about 2000 feet 

 above sea-level, while the eminences within a few miles rise to a 

 height of another 2000 feet. 



The Franklin River, here near its soui'ce, having flowed 

 through Lake Undine a few miles north, enters Lake Dixon at 

 its northern extremity, emerging again at the southern end. 



The neighbourhood of Lake Dixon forms the junction of the 

 east and west drainage areas of Tasmania. The Franklin runs with 

 a general south-westerly direction, afterwards joining the Gordon, 

 which ultimately flows into Macquarie Harbour on the west 

 coast ; while Lake George, at the foot of King William I., about 

 seven or eight miles south of Lake Dixon, and also the Cuvier, a. 

 few miles north, drain into the Derwent. 



Especially on the western and northern slopes of Lake Dixon 

 are seen numerous outcrops of the Silurian, or possibly older, 

 rocks. They are composed principally of quartzites, quartz- 

 schists, and talcose schists, and are in many places exceedingly 

 hard. 



They are all highly inclined, with a general north and south 

 strike. ■ They present wavy, flowing outlines, the exposed 

 smoothed and well-polished surfaces glittering in the sunlight. 

 Individual strife it is difticult to tind, this being probably due to 



