Central Parts of Victoria. 



5S 



Oa arriving at Seymour ( lat. 37^ ) the bald granite hills of 

 the black ranges become visible on the eastern horizon. The 

 latitude is the characteristic weather line of our meteorolo- 

 gical phenomena, which is especially manifest in the advanced 

 state of vegetation north of that parallel. This, I imagine, 

 is chiefly owing to the influence exerted by the different ad- 

 joining ranges, viz. Mounts Benson and Gambier, the Grram- 

 pians, the Pyrenees, Victoria, Alexander and Kilmore ranges, 

 which all He under the same latitude, and present an effectual 

 barrier to the cold south wind, thus rendering the vegetation 

 to the north^ of them fully four weeks in advance. 



_ Approaching Seymour I was delighted to behold the mag- 

 nificent river, the Goulburn, upon Avhose banks it is situate ; 

 its sides adorned with rows of shady wattle {Acacia molis- 

 sima) and lofty gum trees. I am convinced that by the 

 removal of but few obstructions, steam communication could 

 be easily effected between that river and the Murray Settle* 

 ments. 



The highest point of the Black Ranges is formed of granite. 

 The view from certain points of this hill is grand and im- 

 posing: at its foot is seen the Groulburn hastening into the 

 Murray, after traversing a vast tract of dark forest land 

 extending as far as the eye can reach, and clothing with the 

 deep and sombre hue of the eucalyptus the sides of the lofty 

 Alps, whose gUstening summits are crowned with snow. 



The southern slopes of the Black Kanges are exceedingly 

 steep, so much so, that finding it impossible to proceed with 

 a dray in that direction, I Avas compelled to retrace my steps 

 and pursue a different route. 



The right bank of the Goulbiu-n, on that side opposite 

 to the Black Ranges, is both ragged and mountainous; 

 it IS densely covered with thick forest, and will for centuries 

 be of use only as pasture ground. J^ow and then, however 

 a rich gully occurs ; but these are exposed to counterbalancing 

 drawbacks, being subject in winter to sudden and heavy 

 floods, scooping out ravines in the alluvial soil, of con- 

 siderable extent and depth. In May and June, the months 

 in which the cold sets in, the higher ranges become, during 

 the night, covered with snow, which however disappears with 

 the warmth of the morning sun. The scenery of these 

 mountains reminds one of the rugged passes of Switzerland 

 or the Rhine, and the hospitality which characterizes the 

 inhabitants of mountainous districts in every part of the 

 world, is fully borne out by the settlers of the Groulburn, 



