420 



AUSTEALASIA. 



almost uninhabited and for the most part even uninhabitable. Here the bare 

 rocky heights, at most covered with almost impenetrable scrub, yield no fodder for 

 cattle, and are clothed in a snowy mantle for eight months in the year, No 

 settlements can be formed in these bleak tracts except at the entrance of a few 

 valleys scarcely sheltered from the prevailing boisterous moisture-bearing winds. 



Fig. 181. — HOBAET AND THE DeRWENT RiVEE. 

 Scale 1 : 1,250,000. 



Depths. 



In this inhospitable region, however, are found all the mines of gold, tin, bismuth 

 and antimony that have hitherto been opened in the island. 



The constitution of Tasmania differs little from that of Victoria except in the 

 number of members composing the two assemblies forming the local parliament. 

 The former, numbering eighteen, are elected for six, the latter for five years. The 

 defensive forces comprise nearly 1,000 volunteers of all arms. 



