XXXviii UEOGRAPHJCAL FEATURES. 
the intertropical character. In wandering over 
them, I noticed the wild fig and the cherry-tree, 
growing to a much larger size than I had seen 
them in any other part of the colony. Upon 
their branches, the satin bird, the gangan, and 
various kinds of pigeons were feeding. Birds 
unknown to the eastward of the Blue Mountains, 
were numerous in the valleys ; and there was an 
unusual appearance of freshness and moisture 
in the vegetation. 
These signs of improvement, however, vanish 
the moment Mittagong range is crossed, and 
sand-stone again forms the basis of the country 
to a considerable distance beyond Bong-bong. 
At a small farm called the Ploughed Ground, it 
is again traversed by a dike of whinstone, and 
a rich but isolated spot is thus passed over. 
With occasional and partial interruption, how- 
ever, the sand-stone formation continues to an 
abrupt pass, from which the traveller descends 
to the county of Argyle. This pass is extremely 
abrupt, and is covered with glaucus, the low scrub 
I have noticed as common to the sand- stone for- 
mation. A small but lively stream, called 
Paddy’s River, runs at the bottom of this pass. 
