ON THE CAVES PERFORATING MARBLE 
DEPOSITS, LIMESTONE CREEK. 
By James Stieiinq, F.KS. 
[Read 12th April, 1883.] 
During a recent examination of some marble deposits at 
the head of the Murray River (Limestone Creek), it occurred 
to me that a few measurements and observations on the 
interior of the caves by which these deposits are perforated 
might prove interesting. The following descriptions and 
diagrams are the result of such examination ; — 
Topography of Limestone Creek Valley. 
Forming the most southern source affluent of the Murray, 
the Limestone Creek presents many important physio- 
graphical features. The southern and eastern watershed 
line is formed by the Great Dividing Range, culminating on 
the east in the rugged Cohboras mountains, G025 feet above 
sea-level ; while the western watershed line is formed by a 
high lateral range at a mean elevation of 4500 feet above 
sea-level. The general direction of the course of the 
Limestone Creek, from its source in the Dividing Range to 
its confluence with the Indi or Hume River, is north north- 
easterly, and the area of its catchment basin about 240 
square miles. 
Most of the small tributary streams have their source 
runnels in fine grassy upland flats, on the crests of the 
ranges forming the watershed lines, but as they near the 
parent stream traverse deeply eroded gorges in the 
mountain flanks, frequently forming cataracts and water- 
falls of great beauty. This is more particularly the case 
with the eastern affluents, which are much shorter than 
the western. 
The view obtained when descending the valley from the 
west, on the main route from Omeo to Maneroo, N.S.W., 
is very grand and impressive. Away to the north, just 
discernible in the distant horizon, looms the snow-capped 
peaks of the culminating ranges of the Australian Alps, 
Mount Kosciusko, and the Bugong Ranges, over 7000 feet 
above sea-level ; in the middle distance rises the coned peak 
MUSEUM OF VICTORIA 
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