Coast and Lakes of Gipps Land 97 



depression of the waters ; whilst, from the 5th to the 9th 

 September, a minimum pressure of 29 '65 inches, although 

 checked by strong winds from the N.W., allows the waters 

 to rise again. 



27. On and after the 10th September, the barometer 

 again stands high, and is followed by the depressing action 

 of the increased atmospheric pressure on the waters, as indi- 

 cated by the barometer, although in direct opposition to the 

 south-westerly gales, until the greatest depression of the 

 waters is again the result of a maximum of atmospheric 

 pressure, on the 12th and 13th of September. On the 16th 

 September, the gales of wind from the south-west are, in 

 my opinion, quite sufficient to account for the rise of the 

 waters, even under the influence of a high barometer; for it 

 will be seen how rapidly the weight of the atmospheric 

 column vindicates itself with light winds during the subse- 

 quent days of the register. 



28. It is possible that I may attach too much importance 

 to the few facts brought forward in this paper ; but as they 

 are entirely novel to myself, and appear strongly to confirm 

 the theories of others, by facts obtained from direct actual 

 observations, they must be my apology for laying them 

 before the Society. 



29. In attempting a series of tidal observations, it was 

 my primary object to establish a fixed mean tide level 

 datum for future reference in connection with the objects 

 proposed in my survey, and also to afford means for testing 

 the truth of the opinions relative to the asserted upheaval 

 of the southern coast of Australia ; but the anomalies pre- 

 sented in connection with the various readings during the 

 short period of time at my disposal, and the limited 

 means at my command, compelled me to leave these objects 

 unaccomplished. 



30. I cannot conclude my notice of this subject, without 

 urging upon the attention of the Society the great desira- 

 bility of a larger series of connected observations of the 

 lakes, rivers, tides, and meteorology of this district ; more 

 especially because of the very great climatic changes which 

 are likely to result from the opening up of the mountain 

 fastnesses of the interior, by the miners, and the conse- 

 quent denuding of large tracts of country, of its undergrowth 

 of scrub and timber. 



31. The rainfall, and consequent river discharge, must, as 

 a necessary consequence, be very materially affected, and 



H 



