PHYSICAL STRUCTURE. 103 



of Blenkinthorpe Beach, is formed by hi^h steep slopes and overhanging 

 cliffs, but not to the same extent as those of the North Ridge. Clear Place 

 Point is one of the few, if not the only spot, from whence a complete view, 

 looking north-west and south-east, can be obtained of the Admiralty Islets, 

 and Ball's Pyramid, about eighteen miles away in the ocean, at one and the 

 same time. 



Between the elevated ground of Mount Lookout, and the North Ridge, 

 the surface is either flat, or rises in undulating heights, densely wooded. 

 The highest point is a more or less flat-topped hill overlooking the south 

 side of Ned's Beach Bay. and by rough barometrical measurement is 200 feet 

 above sea-level. This hill, which I have called "Wilkinson's Promontory, is 

 of the greatest importance from a geological point of view, as being the 

 highest point to which the Coral-sand rock, to be afterwards described, has been 

 traced. The intervening flat ground extends along the shore of the Lagoon, 

 forming to the south of Blount Lookout, Moseley's Flat ; and to the north, 

 the flats fringing and running between the hills previously mentioned. The 

 most important are those at the Old Settlement under the North Peak, and 

 that extending from the landing place near Thompson's Point across the 

 island to Ned's Beach. Ground of this description is either open and 

 grassed, as Moseley's Flat, and the Old Settlement, with patches of low 

 stunted vegetation ; or undulating and densely wooded like the slopes of 

 Wilkinson's Promontory and the tract across to Ned's Beach. The vegetation 

 here is extremely dense, comprising some of the finest trees, especially the 

 magnificent Banyan (Ficus columnaris, Moore). Speaking generally, many 

 portions of these flats are but a few feet above high-water mark — this is 

 particularly applicable to Moseley's Flat, which is protected at its eastern 

 side by sand hummocks. 



From the southern end of Moseley's Flat to Point King, the projecting 

 headland at the final base of Mount G-ower, the island is formed by the 

 largest of the three volcanic masses. To all intents and purposes, it 

 forms at least half the superficial area, and is at the same time the most 

 precipitous and grandest half. The ground by degrees rises from Moseley's 

 Flat, sometimes by a gradual ascent, at others by steep and sudden jumps 

 to a height of 2.810 feet, the top of Mount G-ower. This portion of Lord 

 Howe consists of four separate hills, grouped two and two. Those at 

 the northern extremity are the least important, North Hummock, and 

 Intermediate Hill, the latter said to be 647 feet. It throws off a spur 

 seawards, forming Mutton Bird Point, attached only by a narrow neck 

 of land, and which after a few years more denudation will become an 

 islet. It is in a direct line with Mutton Bird Island, doubtless separated 

 from the main island at a comparatively recent geological epoch. From 

 this point the coast-line southwards is bold and precipitous in the extreme, 

 and is only known to a few of the more adventurous of the Islanders. 

 The deep valley between Intermediate Hill and the northern extremity 

 of Mount Ledgbird is traversed by the Deep Creek, probably the most 

 important rivulet on Lord Howe. It takes its rise in the various gullies, 

 furrowing the sides of Intermediate Hill, and the saddle formed by a low 

 spur from Mount Ledgbird. After much tortuous winding, and with its 

 banks covered with a dense sub-tropical vegetation, it discharges itself into 

 the southern part of the Lagoon. As the valley is descended it gradually 

 opens out into a well marked alluvial flat, circumscribed by a spur of Inter- 

 mediate Hill on the north composed of the Coral-sand rock, and the foot of 

 Mount Ledgbird on the south. The edges of this flat, and the course of the 

 creek are noticeable for the number and size of the Pandanus trees 



