bed, <a total change in the physiognomy of the vegetation was observed ; wliilst ascending 
the main range of Mount Baw Baw, the Stringybark trees were found replaced by delightful 
Beech forests, which surround the main mountains on all sides, and are interspersed with 
Highland Wliite Gum trees (Eucalyptus coriacea) and Cider trees (Eucalyptus Gunnii), under 
the' shade of which certain ferns (Aspidium j)roliferum and Lomaria procera) predominate 
Nothing can snriDass the contrast in the landscape when we emerge from the dreary scrub 
to the sharly forests of these evergreen Beeches (Eagns Cimninghami) which in a dwarfish 
form ascend even to the alpine summits of this range. 
We established onr camp on the summit of the eastern highest mountain of the 
Baw Baw range on the 2oth December, and whilst reconnoitering the country arbund 
during the subsequent days, found this alpine range to extend about nine miles westerly, 
rising to three principal summits, which conveniently might be distinguished as East, 
Middle, and West Mount Baw Baw. . The general direction of the range is from E.S.E. to 
W.N.W. Granite was the rock everywhere observable. Wild cattle, to be found in many 
parts of the Alps, have as yet not found their way into these valleys. Some of the most 
colossal granite rocks seen in any of- my Australian journeys occur on the north side of 
Mount Baw Baw. An alpine promontory on thfe southern side of Middle Mount Baw Baw 
commands an excellent view over the water system of the La Trobe RiVer. Deep ravines 
in which the Tyers rises, and which are intersected by Beech ridges, separate the Baw 
Baw mountain from an almost semicircular range northward, on which, by sanction of 
His Excellency the Governor, the illustrious names of their Royal Highnesses the Prince 
Consort and the Pi'ince of Wales have been bestowed. Both rise to the- height of 4500- 
5000 feet, with but slight depressions-; and by the latter, Mount Useful and the Barkly 
ranges (west of the Upper MacAUister River) are brought in conjunction ■v\ith some of the 
north-western spurs , of the Baw Baw ranges. Fires having in one of the preceding 
seasons ovenun the Albert ranges, the landscape bore a remarkable winterly character — 
the dwarf lifeless Eucalyptus trees ailpeared as if defoliated by snow, which however had 
recently melted under the summer sun, whilst on the ranges thus depiived of under- 
wood the granite boulders became ibromiuently conspicuous. From the summits of the 
Albert ranges the view extends to Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Mount La Trobe, and 
Mount Wellington. Fhascolarctbs cinereus and Phascolomys AVombat were noticed at 
elevations nearly 5000 feet high. In alpine plains, elevated 4000—4500 feet, scrubby 
with heath-like vegetation and a variety of highland bushes, and producing occasional 
patches of grass and sphagnum-moor, the remotest eastern sources of the Yarra take 
their rise from valleys between the Albert and Baw Baw ranges, the streamlet soon ’ 
strengthened by the limpid brooks which from numerous springs descend into the YaiTa 
basin. No more delightful localities could be selected for liberating the red deer and 
the fallow deer, which would browse' here on a vegetation similar to that of their native 
countries. 
Having traversed the Baw Baw mountains in their whole length, we descended to 
the narrow glen ot the Yarra, this river falling in its westerly course over numerous 
cascades and rapids not less than 8000 feet in a distance of about ten miles from its 
source. At the point where our examination ceased, and which is in proximity ■ of the 
remotest spots to which the surveyors advanced, the river varies from ten to fifteen yards 
in breadth, and is lined with arborescent Ferns, Musk trees. Sassafras, Bedfordia.s, and other 
trees usually to be found towards the sources of most of our southern rivers under forests 
of gigantic Eucaljqoti. 
The descent from Mount U.seful was observed to be very gentle towards the lowland 
of Gipps Land ; Beech forests also cover to some extent its lower declivities. Retracing 
our steps on our track cut through the jungle, we reached the place of our departure again 
on the 30th December. On my return to Melbourne I visited the Upper Tarwan, aanding 
myself of a track formed by Mr. Devine’s prospecting party ; the tall Grevillea Barklyana 
