20 
The general physical features of the Sassafras Tableland, on 
either side the watershed are simple but marked, shallow, open, 
basin-like gullies, and wide Hats, surrounded by low steep scarps 
of weathered rock, the dividing ridges covered with stunted 
timber, or forming open heaths and scrubby spaces, and the flats 
usually swampy and clothed with coarse grass. These spots are 
in fact swamps and feeders for the headwaters of the creeks 
previously named. On the south, in addition to the Clyde River, 
the Endrick branch known as the Bulee Creek, takes its rise in 
offshoots from Mt. Sassafras, a long narrow north and south 
ridge separating the former from the two latter. The Clyde 
River, two or three miles from its source forms a precipitous 
ravine, or gorge, 600 feet deep. The basaltic spurs and summit 
of Mt. Sassafras support a vigorous growth of Messmate, the 
change to a more stunted form of Eucalypt, the moment the 
Hawkesbury Sandstone is reached, being a most marked one. 
The gullies on the north and north-easterly aspect of the 
Sassafras present quite a different character, being very deep, 
with steep sides, clothed by a dense subtropical vegetation of 
vines, creepers, tree ferns, various large Eucalypts. and the 
handsome Sassafras tree ( Doryphora sassafras ), from which the 
general plateau takes its name. This beautiful tree occurs 
throughout the Illawarra country, following the coast region, but 
it is particularly abundant hereabouts. A magnificent view is 
obtained from the higher parts of Mt. Sassafras where the ground 
has been cleared, over the Shoal haven Valley and Jervis Bay, 
with Mount Cooloomgatta in the distance, frequently seen above 
the floating clouds of the low ground. The course of the creeks 
previously mentioned, flowing to the northward, is particularly 
well marked, from the scarp-like outline assumed by the Hawkes- 
bury rocks at the margin of the deep gorges which they have cut. 
The Clyde River,* about three mile/ from its source in the 
Sassafras swamps, in a fine deep ravine, with similar branch 
gullies presenting high perpendicular precipices of sandstone, 
producing scenery closely resembling that of the Blue Mountains, 
supporting a subtropical growth, which renders progression very 
difficult. Deep water holes and falls are numerous, and the bed 
of the river is generally rocky and encumbered with huge 
boulders and fallen blocks. A few years ago the Coal Measures 
were discovered in this river underlying the Hawkesbury Band 
stone, and the seams of coal were reported f on by Mr. N. Taylor, 
of the Victorian Geological Survey. We visited the seams in 
question, situated in the Parish of Endrick, three 640 acre blocks 
*A short sketch of the Geology of the Clyde Elver was given many 
years ago by Mr. Alexander Berry, in a paper entitled On the Geology 
of part of the Coast of New South Wales.” [Barron Field’s Geographical 
Memoirs of N.S. Wales, pp. 246-248 (8vo, London, 1825).] 
■fllis Report appeared in the Milton and Ulladulla Times. 
