302 
Geology of Sydney. 
in the earth, which is said to be the deepest chasm 
with perpendicular cliffs in the known world. It is 
almost surrounded with these cliffs, which are believed 
to be nowhere less than 3,000 feet above the level of 
the sea. The full sublimity and majestic grandeur 
of the scene is not realised at a first glance. After 
contemplating it for a time, the mind becomes filled 
with awe and wonder as it vainly strives to com- 
prehend 
4 The vast immeasurable abyss, 
Outrageous as a sea, dark, wasteful, wild/ 
The trees in the valley below, although one or two 
hundred feet high, or perhaps more, arc undistinguish- 
able in their individuality. Standing on the abrupt 
precipitous wall, one cannot help feeling a strong 
desire to reach the depths of the gorge. But the 
closer one seeks for a spot at which a descent can be 
made, the more certain does it appear that such an 
object is unattainable. It is recorded that Sir 
Thomas Mitchell (formerly Surveyor-General for the 
Colony) endeavoured, first by walking and then by 
crawling between the great fragments of sandstone; 
to ascend the gorge through which the river Grose 
joins the Nepean, but in vain. The scenery is full of 
grandeur, and to add to its beauty there are two 
streams which are precipitated into the mighty chasm, 
and although meeting with no impediment but the 
atmosphere in their descent, they are dissipated into 
mist long before their waters can reach the bottom ; 
and often when the wind is favourable the spray is 
