Central Parts of Victoria. 55 
Eastward from Alexander’s Head, on the Deep Creek, is 
a gully containing groups of basaltic columns of considerable 
interest. They are from fifteen to twenty feet in height, 
and about one foot apart; the bases very convex, but 
‘at the summits concave. Below these columns is a stratum 
of porous basalt a few feet in thickness; and beneath this 
another extremely porous, and perforated with large irregular 
holes, whose edges are rounded by the action of internal 
fire. The whole rests on a stratum of basalt conglomerate.. 
The low ranges east of Mount Macedon are composed 
of quartz, and though similar in character to the Cambrian 
formation, are apparently devoid of fossil remains. 
“Near Fawkner’s old station is a bald hill formed of dole- 
rite boulders, from 2 to 10 feet in diameter and about the 
same height, cropping out from the smooth surface, and in- 
‘investing the hill with a rugged appearance. 
The fine grained granite which forms the summits of the 
‘Mount Macedon chain, exhibits a strong inclination to shelve 
off in horizontal layers. ‘The felspar which enters into the 
composition of this granite bears a very large proportion to 
the quartz, the black mica is distinct and characteristic. 
I could nowhere detect any indications of precious stones 
on these ranges, which are very scantily covered with a thin 
‘coating of alluvial soil. ; 
~ Some distance N.E. from the peak of Alexander’s Head, is 
the spot where the discovery of bones of gigantic antediluvian 
fossil birds took place, 5 or 6 years since, in a basaltic cavern. 
I was much disappointed at my ineffectual endeavours to ob- 
‘tain similar specimens, in consequence of my inability to sup- 
_press the springs of water sufficiently to enable me to reach 
the proper depth. 
Two species of granite occur on the dividing ranges be- 
tween the tributaries of the Deep Creek and the Murray 
River. The first is composed of coarse crystallized felspar, 
oligoclass and albite, with a little mica and quartz. This 
‘granite is found in shapes somewhat similar to ladies’ thim- 
bles; varying from two to one hundred feet in height, and 
. from ten to three hundred feet in circumference. The fan- 
‘tastic arrangement of these groups is calculated to afford a 
constant theme of speculation as to the original cause which 
produced it, amongst those whose fancies lead them to the 
consideration of such things. On Perry’s run I saw a boulder 
of an enormous size resting on a base of scarcely twenty 
square feet. So remarkable an occurrence deserves to be re- 
