TYPES OF FOREST GROWTH. 



239 



Climate. — The climate of Victoria is well suited for Europeans. 

 The maximum temperature experienced at Melbourne during 

 63 years is 111 degrees, the minimum 27, and the average annual 

 temperature 57 degrees. The rainfall is not heavy, the average 

 being given as 24 inches. It varies, however, considerably, the 

 heaviest fall occurring on the south side of the Dividing Range, 

 while the driest parts are situated to the north of it. The 

 following data give the areas subject to different degrees of 

 rainfall : — 



2. Types of Forest Growth. 



There are four main types : — 



(1) The Coastal Region, extending some 50 miles northward, 

 has forest consisting of E. capitellata, eugenioides, Muelleriana, 

 and obliqua. Near the shore they are interspersed with Casuarina, 

 Banksia and Myopsorum. Further northward, where elevation 

 increases, at about 100 miles from the coast, the river red gum 

 {E. rostrata) is found in quantity on the sandy clays along streams. 

 Where elevation rises to about 2,000 feet the following species 

 appear : E. Globulus, regnans, goniocalyx and obliqua, with 

 valuable underwoods, such as blackwood, beech and satin-box. 

 Various other Eucalypts are found in this region, in some parts 

 E. Sieberiana occupying as much as 50 to 75 per cent, of the 

 forest growth. 



(2) In the Mountain Region are found E. capitellata, obliqua, 

 viminalis. Globulus, macrorrhyncha and meliodora. In the east 

 on higher levels are found E. delegetensis with regnans, obliqua, 

 and amygdalina with Globulus at intervals towards the source of 

 the Murray River. The mountain forests, excepting strips 

 damaged by fire, are densely stocked, and, if opened by roads 



