240 THE ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN TASMANIA. 



(d) THE 30-FATHOM LINE. 

 (PL. L, FIG. 4-) 



A further subsidence of the sea level of 5 fathoms 

 produces great changes. The Kent group and the 

 Wright rocks have joined the eastern peninsula, and a 

 narrow isthmus, which is not raised more than 30 feet 

 above sea level, joins Tasmania with Australia. This 

 eastern isthmus is still very broad and compact in the 

 south, but very narrow in the north, where it is deeply 

 cut into by gulfs and bays. 



The north coast of Tasmania shows no great 

 changes. On the other hand, the north-western penin- 

 sula has considerably grown, and King Island has joined 

 Tasmania. A large peninsula extends therefore from 

 the north-west corner of Tasmania in northern direction 

 close to the mainland of Australia. A rather winding 

 channel, which in the whole takes a south-westerly direc- 

 tion, cuts deeply into this peninsula, dividing it into two 

 parts. The south coast of Australia has not grown 

 very much, but the land has greatly increased in eastern 

 direction. 



We have therefore a large inland lake or basin be- 

 tween Tasmania and Austraha, which is connected with 

 the open ocean near the Australian coast by a narrow 

 strait of about 30 feet in depth. We already perceive 

 that this basin is unquestionably divided into two parts. 



(e) THE 35-FATHOM LINE. 

 (PL. I., FIG. 5.) 



The eastern isthmus continues to grow in breadth, 

 but in the north there is still a deep bay, which reaches 

 nearly up to the Kent* Group. 



The western peninsula has greatly increased in size ; 

 though still existing, the south-western channel is con- 

 siderably reduced in breadth. The inland sea is still 

 connected with the ocean, but the depth of the strait is 

 considerably reduced ; the division into two parts is now 

 plainly marked. 



