Central Parts of Victoria, 



55 



Eastward from Alexander's Head, on the Deep Creek, 13 

 a gully containing groups of basaltic columns of considerable 

 interest. They are from fifteen to twenty feet in height, 

 and about one foot apart ; the bases very convex, but 

 at the summits concave. Below these columns is a stratum 

 of porous basalt a few feet in thickness ; and beneath this 

 another extremely porous, and perforated with large irregular 

 holes, whose edges are rounded by the action of internal 

 fire. The whole rests on a stratum of basalt conglomerate. 



The low ranges east of Mount Macedon are composed 

 of quartz, and though similar in character to the Cambrian 

 formation, are apparently devoid of fossil remains. 



Near Fawkner's old station is a bald hill formed of dole- 

 rite boulders, from 2 to 10 feet in diameter and about the 

 same height, cropping out from the smooth surface, and in- 

 investing the hill with a rugged appearance. 



The fine grained granite which forms the summits of the 

 Mount Macedon chain, exhibits a strong inclination to shelve 

 off in horizontal layers. The felspar which enters into the 

 composition of this granite bears a very large proportion to 

 the quartz, the black mica is distinct and characteristic. 



I could nowhere detect any indications of precious stones 

 on these ranges, which are very scantily covered with a thin 

 coating of alluvial soil. 



Some distance N.E. from the peak of Alexander's Head, is 

 the spot where the discovery of bones of gigantic antediluvian 

 fossil birds took place, 5 or 6 years since, in a basaltic cavern. 

 I was much disappointed at my ineflfectual endeavours to ob- 

 tain similar specimens, in consequence of my inability to sup- 

 press the springs of water sufficiently to enable me to reach 

 the proper depth. 



Two species of granite occur on the dividing ranges be- 

 tween the tributaries of the Deep Creek and the Murray 

 River. The first is composed of coarse crystallized felspar, 

 oligoclass and albltc, w^ith a little mica and quartz. This 

 granite is found in shapes somewhat similar to ladies' thim- 

 bles ; varying from two to one hundred feet in height, and 

 from ten to three hundred feet in circumference. The fan- 

 tastic arrangement of these groups is calculated to afford a 

 constant theme of speculation as to the original cause which 

 produced it, amongst those whose fancies lead them to the 

 consideration of such things. On Perry's run I saw a boulder 

 of an enormous size resting on a base of scarcely twenty 

 square feet. So remarkable an occurrence deserves to be re- 



