S2 



Personal Observatimx in the 



on their surface are many remarkable groups of granite 

 boulders ; the soil between these, resulting from the decompo- 

 sition of the basalt, being of an exceedingly rich quality. 

 The two localities last mentione 1, viz. the dividing ranges and 

 Dryden's Monument, for the interest of their geological con- 

 formation and the extreme beauty of their scenery, are almost 

 unequalled throughout Victoria ; and offer to the inhabitants 

 of the city, a quiet and instructive retreat for the employ- 

 ment of their leisure hours. 



Crossing these ranges the traveller merges into the Murray 

 district. Once arrived on the plains, a milder climate than 

 that of the more southern portions of the country, is dis- 

 tinctly experienced. These elevated plains belong more or less 

 to the basalt formation, and from the fertility of the soil, 

 especially in particular places, (as in the neighbourhood of 

 Dr. Baynton's station,) as well as good water, a fine climate, 

 gently undulating ground, and most beautiful scenery, are 

 highly deserving the attention of the future settler. 



North of the Mle Mie Inn, famous as being the spot where 

 the celebrated gold escort robbery took place, the soil is cold 

 and unproductive ; but towards Patterson s station expands into 

 open and fertile plains, entirely free from stones and boulders. 



Arrived at the McTvor diggings, the only particular object 

 of interest, is the track marked out by Sir T. Mitchell, in the 

 first exploring expedition ever undertaken through Austra- 

 lia Felix. 



The surface of the country north of Mclvor, is both clayey 

 and rocky ; is densely timbered and abounds with precipitous 

 ravines, being thus available only for pastoral pursuits. 



Between Lancefield and Kilmore the road leads over an 

 elevated plateau formed of basalt strata. The face of the 

 country is here extremely rocky, and unfit for cultivation ; 

 but in the neighbourhood of the latter township its character 

 changes, and rich alluvial land gratifies the eye of the obser- 

 ver. Kilmore is fast becoming the centralizing point of an 

 important agricultural district, and is already the largest in- 

 land town in the whole colony. 



Eastward of the line of road leading from Kilmore to Sey- 

 mour, is seen the singular peak known to the colonists as 

 Ferguson's "sugar loaf" which possesses a considerable de- 

 cree of interest on account of its remarkable conformation 

 and appearance. The rich character of the land around this 

 peak is well known to the settlers, but owing to its elevated 

 position, it is, like the plateaux of Mount Macedon, much ex- 

 posed to the injurious influence of the cold. 



