Of a Country on the Climate. aan 
proceed to consider in what manner geological formations 
may take the place of other physical characters in modifying 
aclimate. These act, either by storing water in subterranean 
lakes, and in loose sandy strata, or by permitting the storm 
waters to flow rapidly and at once to the river basins, and 
thence to the sea. Under the former of these conditions we 
have permanent and abundant springs and well filled river 
basins ; under the latter, feeble springs, generally arid sum- 
mers, and a deficiency of river currents. 
In this case I shall confine my illustrations as much as 
possible to Victoria; but, in attributing all due importance 
to geological structure, we must not forget that it is only one 
of the causes formerly adverted to—not the most important 
in the extent of its results—and chiefly worthy of especial 
notice, because it immediately concerns man in his daily 
wants and pursuits. 
It is necessary for me to refer you again to section No. 1, 
which very fairly exhibits the geology of the greater part of 
Victoria. It will be seen on reference thereto how the rivers 
of this country are supplied with water. 
The paleozoic rocks upheaved by the granite are highly 
inclined or vertical. The newer tertiary formations and 
alluvium constantly occur. ‘These are shown in the section, 
reposing in the valleys, forming the beds of numerous creeks, 
and separated by steep narrow-ranges of clay slate and 
sandstone. 
It is manifest that the storm waters, received on a surface 
of this kind, must be quickly conveyed to the river beds, since 
the higher lands are almost destitute of soil. I have seen 
miles of schistose rocks and granite, where the tops and. sides 
of the ridges presented at every turn the outcrop of the rocks. 
The numerous gulleys are, however, almost invariably 
covered with a thin stratum of porous sandy clay and gravel, 
with a pretty strong clay substratum. 
Even if the ridges of paleozoic rocks were less steep, and 
better clad with soil, it is evident if they absorbed much of 
the rainfall, that it would be conveyed to great depths 
beneath the surface, and could not again appear as springs 
except under very peculiar circumstances. 
The granite rocks may retain small supplies of water, which 
slowly percolating through the close seams of such a rock, 
will reappear in small patches of swamp or in springs, but 
these latter are seldom found of large volume. 
Streams of water which are seen to issue from granite 
rocks, are usually traceable to some swamp or morass in the 
