35 



The Proteace^e of the Victorian Alps, 



With ai^ Introduction on the Topographical and 

 Geological Features of that Eegion. 



By James Stirling, Corresponding Member. 



[Read April 3, 1883.] 



The Australian Alps, in Victoria, may be described as con- 

 sisting o£ a vast extent o£ mountains traversing the south- 

 eastern portion of Australia ; flanked on the south-east by lower 

 lying tracts, which embrace the lacustrine areas of Gippsland, 

 and on the north by the extensive levels of the Murray basin. 



The central mountain mass does not, however, present to us 

 an original axis of elevation, but, on the contrary, the area 

 embraced by what is now called the Main Dividing Range was 

 during Miocene times covered by an extensive plateau. Since 

 that period long-continued sub-aerial denudation has eroded 

 drainage channels, and has so altered the surface configura- 

 tion as to produce orographical features essentially different 

 from those which existed during the Miocene period. It seems 

 probable that the present drainage channels, especially those 

 forming the Murray-source afiluents, were considerably in- 

 fluenced by the pre-existing meridional corrugations of the 

 Palaeozoic rock masses, as well as by their composition and 

 texture. "Whether these regions were subjected to a period of 

 climatic conditions analagous to that which formed the glacial 

 epoch of Europe is a matter of some uncertainty, as no precise 

 data exist, as far as known at present, for aiding in the solution 

 of the problem. However, from the remarks made by Prof. 

 Tate in his admirable " Address to the Eoyal Society of South 

 Australia," vol. II., p. Ixiv., it would appear that there are not 

 wanting evidences of glacial action in South Australia ; it 

 would, therefore, be at least probable that the Australian Alps 

 participated in those glacial morements. I have carefully 

 (examined the old lake basins near Omeo, referred to by mv 

 friend Mr. A. ^V. Howitt, F.G.S. (Quart. Jour. Geo. Soc, vol. 

 XXXV., p. 35, 187), and although there are not wanting evidences 

 of transportation in the huge blocks now undergoing decom- 

 position which compose the so-called false bottom of these 

 ancient lake basins or tarns, vet there are no traces of ice 



