3_0r Coast Line Formation of the Western District. 



masses — in many cases having a cup-and-ball form, which 

 can scarcely be due to atmospheric influences alone — and 

 the water-worn appearance of the indurated limestone 

 between Belfast and Yambuk. 



A few miles inland from Warrnambool, in the direction of 

 Woodford, and across the River Hopkins at Allansford, in 

 the parish of Tallangatta, there exist large formations of 

 indurated limestone, similar in character to that described 

 near Yambuk, at a considerable elevation above the sea, and 

 containing abundance of marine fossil remains, indicative of 

 formation below water. 



Ha^dng thus far endeavoured to sketch in the general 

 geological features of the district, I will now give a general 

 view of the existing and ancient coast lines, with the evi- 

 dence in favour of the views enunciated. 



In the preceding notes I have pointed out the conditions 

 which modify the line of coast as at present existent, but to 

 those above named I must add the agency of ocean currents, 

 which, although frequently influenced superficially by pre- 

 vailing winds, all my observations have tended to confirm 

 those made by me sixteen years ago ofiT the coast of Gipps- 

 land as to the existence of an oceanic current from the 

 westward, permanent in its character, and only influenced 

 superficially by easterty and southerly weather ; and it is 

 due to the existence of such permanent current that all 

 our harbours and rivers have an easterty or south-easterly 

 exposure, excepting only in such exceptional circumstances 

 as the entrance to Port Albert, in Gippsland ; and this, even 

 in its exception from the general rule, proves the law of 

 current as stated from west to east. 



From Warrnambool to Tower Hill the country consists 

 chiefly of rounded mammaliferous hills of pulverised shell, 

 limestone, ash, and tufa; but immediately west of Tower 

 Hill we come upon evidences of an old inland coast line, 

 which gradually rises into a long ridge consisting of pul- 

 verised shells, spicula, and other marine remains ; amongst 

 which, Mr. Castwood, of Belfast, has obtained sharks' teeth, 

 from the inner or second line of ridge near to that town. 

 Between this inland ridge and the coast exists a flat, 

 which in part is occupied by a lagoon enclosed from the 

 sea by the present line of sand dunes. The bed of the 

 lagoon consists of deep alluvial deposits mixed largely with 

 sand drift. 



