THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 123 



the only objects of interest, except the distant views of the 

 mountains before dayUght disappeared. The road seemed after- 

 wards to pass through some fair scenery, but it was too dark to 

 make out distinctly. As we neared Oberon the reflections of 

 bush fires were seen in several directions. 



We reached the Royal Hotel at about 7.30 p.m , and again 

 found provision made for the mysterious nine ; so there was no 

 lack of good things. We spent a very pleasant and comfortable 

 evening here, and heard a good deal about the wonders we were 

 to see on the morrow. 



Next morning broke with heavy rain, and as we started from 

 Oberon about 9 a.m. in a four-horse coach it was still raining. 

 Near the township several nice farms were passed ; the road takes 

 a south-easterly course, crossing the Fish Creek and Fish River, 

 and winding along the hillsides, till it finally crosses the main 

 dividing range at 4,120 ft. above the sea. Here we passed for 

 some time through a snowstorm, which, to a Melbournite like 

 myself, was at least a novelty. We now began to descend, and 

 as the weather cleared up we were able to get some magnificent 

 views of the country. About two miles further, when on the side 

 of a spur, our driver pointed out the galvanized iron roof of the 

 Cave House, some 1,200 ft. almost straight below us, but to 

 reach it we had to traverse three miles of steep zigzag road down 

 the end of the spur, arriving at our destination just in time for 

 lunch. The views at each turn of this road were very fine, and 

 were well worth all the discomforts of the journey ; and should 

 any of our members visit the caves by the Mount Victoria route, 

 which does not touch this road, I would advise them to take a 

 three-mile walk up this hill, as, though the gradient is rather steep 

 (about I in 4), they will be amply repaid for their trouble. 



Some remarks alaout the formation of the country will here be 

 necessary, in order to enable you to understand my future details. 

 The Cave House is situated in a deep, narrow valley, running 

 east and west, and when I say the sun sets to the residents some 

 three or four hours before it does to the tops of the surrounding 

 hills, you may perhaps get some idea of the steepness of the sides 

 of the valley, which is only about a quarter of a mile long. The 

 western end would be blocked by a narrow ridge connecting the 

 sides if it were not for the " Grand Arch," an immense cavern 

 running right through the hills, being about 120 yards long, 

 70 ft. at its highest, and 200 ft. at its widest parts. The eastern 

 entrance is about 50 ft. wide and 30 ft. high, and the western 

 150 ft. wide and 120 ft. high. As the Mount Victoria road ter- 

 minates on the hillside, on the other side of this arch to Cave 

 House, travellers by that route make their first acquaintance of 

 the caves by carrying their luggage or leading their horses through 

 this great chamber to the accommodation house or temperance 



