Central Parts of Victoria. 53 
On arriving at Seymour (lat. 37° ) the bald granite hills of 
the black ranges become visible on the eastern horizon. The 
latitude is the characteristic weather line of our meteorolo- 
gical phenomena, which is especially manifest in the advanced 
state of vegetation north of that parallel. This, I imagine, 
is chiefly owing to the influence exerted by the different ad- 
joining ranges, viz. Mounts Benson and Gambier, the Gram- 
pians, the Pyrenees, Victoria, Alexander and Kilmore ranges, 
which all lie under the same latitude, and present an effectual 
barrier to the cold south wind, thus rendering the vegetation 
to the north of them fully four weeks in advance. ; 
Approaching Seymour I was delighted to behold the mag- 
nificent river, the Goulburn, upon whose banks it is situate 5 
its sides adorned with rows of shady wattle (Acacia molis- 
sima) and lofty gum trees. I am convinced that by the 
removal of but few obstructions, steam communication could 
_be easily effected between that river and the Murray Settle- 
ments. ; 
The highest point of the Black Ranges is formed of granite. 
The view from certain points of this hill is grand and im- 
posing; at its foot is seen the Goulburn hastening into the 
Murray, after traversing a vast tract of dark forest land 
extending as far as the eye can reach, and clothing with the 
deep and sombre hue of the eucalyptus the sides of the lofty 
Alps, whose glistening summits are crowned with snow. 
‘The southern slopes of the Black Ranges are exceedingly 
steep, so much so, that finding it impossible to proceed with 
a dray in that direction, I was compelled to retrace my steps 
and pursue a different route. 
The right bank of the Goulburn, on that side opposite 
to the Black Ranges, is both rugged and mountainous ; 
it is densely covered with thick forest, and will for centuries 
be of use only as pasture ground. Now and then, however 
a rich gully occurs; but these are exposed to counterbalancing 
drawbacks, being subject in winter to sudden and heavy 
floods, scooping out ravines in the alluvial soil, of con- 
siderable extent and depth. In May and June, the months 
in which the cold sets in, the higher ranges become, during 
the night, covered with snow, which however disappears with 
the warmth of the morning sun. The scenery of these 
mountains reminds one of the rugged passes of Switzerland 
or the Rhine, and the hospitality which characterizes the 
_inhabitants of mountainous districts in every part of the 
_world, is fully borne out by the settlers of the Goulburn, 
