THE BANKSIAN BOTANICAL COLLECTORS. 
135 
Wentworth* ha>s the following entry: — 
For the first twenty n iles these aull’es are really terrific, being in some places 
n 'arly perpendicular for several hundred feet. I consider them utterly impracticable 
for cattle, and should have pronounced them as utterly impracticable for man, 
had we not discovered, about 10 miles west of Jamison’s farm, a large pile of 
stones, undoubtedly the termination of Bass’ excursion. Nothing could have 
afforded a stronger proof of the indefatigable perseverance of the man than his 
surmounting these almost insurmountable barriers. 
Assistant Surveyor G. W. Evans, who followed in November of 
the same year (1813), has the following entry on the second day after 
leaving the Nepean; — 
The morning very much overcast, with a thick fog. However, I had the horses 
loaded, and travelled on, mostly on ridges overrun with brush. At about 1 1 
o’clock I passed the ])ile of stones alluded to by the former party. Soon after 
we were on a very high hill. 
The position of the cairn of stones is distinctly marked on Evans’ 
map of the country west of the Mine Mountains, surveyed ijt the year 
1813. The cairn is placed on the map at three days’ journey from 
the Nepean. (Map published in “ Sydney Mail,” 13th May, 1903.) 
Unfortunately Evans did not mark the mileage.s, sub.stituting dates 
showing the limit of each day’s progress. 
Extracts from the diary of William Cox, — 
Sunday, September 4th, 1SI4. — Removed forward to the bridge. Removed 
forward to Caley’s Pile. No water for the stock near the bridge, nor a blade 
of gras.s. Went forward to Caley's f’ile, and from thence up the rock to Evans’ 
cave you get a view of the country from north-west round to south-west as far 
as the eye can carry you. Windsor and various parts of cleared land is seen from 
this. 
September and UHh. — The bridge rises very fast, (piarrymen well on with 
the stone work. 
September 1 \th. — Went forward three miles to examine the road. P’rom the bridge 
it continues rocky over two or three small passes to Cedey' s Pile, from thence at 
least two miles further, the mountain is nearly a solid rock, at places high broken 
rocks, at others very hanging or shelving, which makes it iiuixtssible to make a 
level good road. 
Extract from Major Antill’s diary* of Governor Macquarie’s journey 
across the Blue Mountains, starting 25th April. 1815: — 
. . . . Thursday, April ’ll. — From this s])iing and the surrounding forest 
the (iovernor gave the name of .Springwood to this station. We did not leave 
this place till 12 o’clock, the day cool and pleasant, our road was stony, and some 
* "A Stati.ttical. Historical, and • olitical I eseription of the < olony of Xew South Wales, and 
its Dependent • ettlements in Van Diemen’s Land, London, 1819. ' 
t Sydney, William Brooks A- Co., 1901. 
1 Puhliuhed in The Ansteatiuu F/ePt (Sydney). 
