8 
1 'he Australasian Scientific Magazine. [August i, 1885. 
HOLIDAY RAMBLES IN THE AUSTRALIAN 
ALPS. 
BY 
JAMES STIRLING, F.L.S., F.G.S. 
No more charming or more picturesque area is to be found in the 
whole extent of the Australian Alps than that occupied by the Devonian 
marine limestones of Bindi. Situated in the sources of the Tambo, they 
form an extremely park-like area, its rounded hillocks, the swelling out- 
lines ot its undulating richly grassed and lightly timbered ridges, form an 
agreeable contrast to the more sombre aspect of the bold, thickly wooded 
mountains, which — amphitheatre-like — surrounds it on all sides. In more 
than one sense the area is especially interesting to the student of physio- 
graphic science. Here is seen in striking contrast the peculiar effect of 
weathering sub-ariel denudation — both on the limestone rocks and on 
the schists, porphyries, slates, and conglomerates, by which the former is 
surrounded, and, as we shall see further on, underlied. Here may be seen 
the differences in the ratios of denudation to erosion of various rock 
formations under similar climatic condition ; the different kinds of endemic 
arboreous vegetation, whose variety of foliage and form helps to render the 
area so charming and park-like. Here also are found the relics of a 
marine fauna of a bygone age, which lie embedded in limestone rocks, as well 
as theii relation to the adjoining formations. Here also may be found 
many lovely spots, from whence the holiday-seeking tourist, free from the 
smoke and dust of our large cities, may, while reclining on the verdant 
slopes, watch with increasing interest the glories of an Austral sunset, and 
while thus gazing on charming mountain landscape, behold dame Nature 
robed in her supremest form of loveliness, as tones and shades of colour 
blend harmoniously over the distant ranges j and as the evening shadows 
deepen in the valleys while inhaling the cool, pure mountain air, he can feel 
that strange but real fascination which a contemplation of the beautiful 
evolves. 7 Tis thus : — 
“ The awful shadow of some unseen power, 
Floats tho’ unseen among us : visiting 
Each human heart and countenance, 
Like hues and harmonies of evening, 
Like clouds in starlight widely spread 
Like memory of music fled ; 
Like angels that for its grace may be 
Dear, and yet dearer for its mystery. 
To describe the Physiographic features of this most interesting sub-Alpine 
region, is the object of the present article. And if any addition to the 
reader’s knowledge of this outlying part of the colony is gained during our 
holiday rambles, then such rambles will not have been in vain. As fellow 
students let us wander together over hill and valley, picking up scraps of 
