230 TIMBERS AND THEIR USES 



" On several parts of 'the Dividing Range, 

 where the country is fairly open, the annual fall 

 is from 30 to 35 inches ; in other parts of the 

 open, undulating or plain country of the northern 

 areas, 20 to 25 inches; in other parts, 15 to 20; 

 while in the wettest parts of Gippsland moder- 

 ately close to the coast line, but chiefly in hilly 

 forest-clad country, or settled country with a 

 fair proportion of woodland, the average fall 

 varies from 43-16 to 67-73 inches. 



" With respect to the influence of forests in 

 absorbing and gradually distributing rainfall, in 

 preserving by their leaf cover and undergrowth 

 the soil in a spongy and porous condition, so 

 that the water precipitated in rain and snow is 

 given out again in the form of small streams and 

 springs, there is practically no difference of 

 opinion. The contrast between the effects of a 

 thunderstorm falhng on bare hillsides, or in open 

 country where the rainfall is quickly carried ofi 

 to the lower levels in torrents and freshets, and 

 the same storm discharging its rainfall over large 

 expanses of tree-clad country, with the deep 

 'absorbent mould below protected from the 

 direct action of the sun, is too plain to any 

 observer to admit of dispute. And while the 

 local evaporation is always greater in open 

 country, it must not be overlooked that in 

 addition to the heavy transpiration of moisture 



