Aet. III. — On the Caves Perforating Marble Deposits, 

 Limestone Creek. 



By James Stirling, F.L.S. 



[Bead 12th April, 1883.] 



During a recent examination of some marble deposits at 

 the head of the Murray River (Limestone Creek), it occurred 

 to me that a few measurements and observations on the 

 interior of the caves by which these deposits are perforated 

 might prove interesting. The following descriptions and 

 diagrams are the result of such examination : — 



Topography of Limestone Creek Valley. 



Forming the most southern source affluent of the Murray, 

 the Limestone Creek presents many important physio- 

 graphical features. The southern and eastern watershed 

 line is formed by the Great Dividing Range, culminating on 

 the east in the rugged Cobboras mountains, 6025 feet above 

 sea-level ; while the western watershed line is formed by a 

 high lateral range at a mean elevation of 4500 feet above 

 sea-level. The general direction of the course of the 

 Limestone Creek, from its source in the Dividing Range to 

 its confluence with the Indi or Hume River, is north north- 

 easterly, and the area of its catchment basin about 240 

 square miles. 



Most of the small tributary streams have their source 

 runnels in fine grassy upland flats, on the crests of the 

 ranges forming the watershed lines, but as they near the 

 parent stream traverse deeply eroded gorges in the 

 mountain flanks, frequently forming cataracts and water- 

 falls of great beauty. This is more particularly the case 

 with the eastern affluents, which are much shorter than 

 the western. 



The view obtained when descending the valley from the 

 west, on the main route from Omeo to Maneroo, N.S.W., 

 is very grand and impressive. Away to the north, just 

 discernible in the distant horizon, looms the snow-capped 

 peaks of the culminating ranges of the Australian Alps, 

 Mount Kosciusko, and the Bugong Ranges, over 7000 feet 

 above sea-level ; in the middle distance rises the coned peak 



