112 blackman's crown. 



of sandstone, and called '' Blackman's Crown," 

 by which name the ridge and pass is also 

 known. After passing the ridge and descent, 

 the road continues tolerably good, having 

 about it thickly wooded and brush country, 

 among wliich white, spotted gums, and box, 

 together with other varieties, or species of 

 Eucalypti abounded, with dwarf and other 

 Acacias, in full bloom, emu flowers, {Hichea 

 glauca,) butter-cups, and asters, and among 

 them several purple and yellow flowering plants 

 of the OrcJiidem family occasionally mingled. 

 The " spotted gum" is usually found in situa- 

 tions, which, lathough in dry weather appearing 

 firm, in wet are boggy ; this tree consequently 

 indicates by its presence the quality of the 

 soil. The " white gum" trees have a smooth 

 whitish bark, giving them an appearance as if 

 white-washed. 



After travelling some distance, we ' hobelled ' 

 our horses, turned them out in some fine pas- 

 turage, and set to work, after the bush fashion, 

 to prepare tea, as a refreshment ; there being 

 no station between '' Cullen Bullen" and 

 " Dabee :" our pocket-knives cut up the eat- 

 ables we had with us, sharpened sticks served 

 as a substitute for forks, and flat pieces of wood 

 made excellent spoons. Thus we enjoyed our 



