Excursion to Apjnu and Camphelton. 27 



the laughing jack-ass [Dacelo gigantea) and the beautiful blue- 

 black atlas bird [Kitta holosericea). 



The following morning we resumed our journey through 

 lofty, dense, and magnificent forests, in which the vast trunks 

 of gum-trees imparted their special character to the scenery. 

 One of the most beautiful points of view in this delightful 

 drive was when we crossed Sir Thomas Mitchell's, or 

 Broi^ghton's, Pass, which has been cut through the gigantic 

 rocks of a mountain -range at considerable expense and labour, 

 presenting at every turn a fresh and more beautiful grouping 

 of rock and mountain fringed with fir and gum, reminding 

 us somewhat of the romantic savage solitudes of the AI25S. 



On our way to the coast we passed but one solitary farm, 

 consisting of a couple of wretched wooden huts, tliatched 

 with bark, standing on a clearing named Bargo, where the 

 mail-boy on his way from Appin changes horses, and remains 

 for a few hours over-night. We merely took some coff'ee, 

 and were not a little siu-prised at finding it presented to us in 

 a fashion in strong contrast with the rude exterior of this 

 forest hut. Sheffield and Wedgwood wares in the bush, and 

 English ships constructed of Australian timber — such is the 

 secret of English political economy ! 



Not far ffom Bargo we enter upon troublesome sand 

 wastes, at one point of which the traveller enjoys a wonder- 

 fully extensive prospect over the Illawara lake, the Keira 

 rtfnge, and the sea, especially if, as was our case, he is 

 accompanied by intelligent ciceroni acquainted with the 



