136 J. H, MAIDEN AND K. H. CAMBAGE. 



its hard nature, it lias tended to protect the granite from 

 weathering and being removed by the action of water. It 

 was noticed at several points along the track, where sec- 

 tions of the formation were visible, that the granite was 

 decomposed in situ to depths of 10 and 20 feet, or as far 

 down as the rock was exposed. It is not surprising there- 

 fore to find the country much dissected into deep valleys, 

 and the name of Clarence's Hilly Range, which was 

 bestowed by Governor Macquarie on the area between 

 Cox's River and the Main Divide, was suggested by the 

 number of steep ridges encountered. A few hundred yards 

 beyond the summit of the Main Range the Devonian form- 

 ation ceases and is not met again the whole way to 

 O'Oonnell, or even to Bathurst, though northerly from 

 Rydal it is well known to extend over a very large area. 

 It is significant, however, that in crossing the Fish River, 

 some five or six miles south-easterly of Tarana, typical 

 Devonian fossils (Spirlfer disjuncta) were found in some 

 of the water-worn stones forming the shingle beds along 

 the banks, thus proving that the river drains a Devonian 

 area to the south. 



About three miles northerly from this old crossing are 

 the remarkable granite rocks known as Evans' Crown, or 

 Peak (in some maps) and which have been left on the 

 summit as residuals, while the adjacent formation decom- 

 posed and weathered away. Although this crown is well 

 seen from the railway line near Tarana, it presents a more 

 majestic appearance when viewed from the southern side, 

 where Evans first saw it. The valley of the Fish River, 

 as it sweeps round to westward under the hills, forms a 

 sort of amphitheatre in the foreground, and with some 

 additional rocks, not seen from the northern side (one of 

 which is suggestive of a gigantic pelican in an attitude of 

 semi-repose), lends an additional grandeur to the scene. 



