The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-12-19
Australian Scenery.


The richest climates, the richest soila,
the finest forests and plains, and the
most pleasant landscapes, are found in
Eaastern Australia. Heze are TO be
found, in the deepest valleys of ranges
which drain the clouds from southern
breeses, noble forests; in the eastern ez-
posures, both warm and temperate and
moist, the loveIiest glens snd slopes; and
on the shores, under the tropical heights,
the most luxuriant vegetation. In.Vic-
toria, and in Gipp's Land glens, the
Raunt eucaiypti hide their nakedneHs in
their crowded proximity; they tower to
the height of upwards Of four hundred
feet, and challenge California in their
gigantic length Of stem. Nor do they
leave bare surface in their shade, but
shelter a thicket Of mimosas and fe-ns.
High up the heights and upon the snowy
mountains, upon impassable Precipees,
and on tine edges Of norasses, these gi-
ants foa.ish with a height, foliage, and
in number unequaled elsewhere. The
siluIian ridges are generally timberod 70
their tops, the glens more densely than
tine summi;s, falling in gentle slopes Of
open forest, east to the sea, and westward
TO the bEssi1iC downs Of the inland
slopes.
Upon tae banks OF the eastern rivers,
sometimes far south Of the tropie, but
generally north, we find jungles Of !m-
penetrable shade and the richest beauty.
Palms extend further south than Sidney,
csdars are common from that north, and
upon the coasts Of Northern QnSensland
a purely tropical luHuriAnes il found in
pots upon every rivsr. PsrhapS chs
nost tropical scenes srs 10 be found 10
.hs valleys Of Rockingham Bay, and up
nn the slopes of the Bellendsn Ker
Ranges. Here we have towering noun
tains very near the tropical sea, q great
rainfall in a warm climate; hars we hava
Jreciptoua declines coastwiso, cOnse-
quently rich valleys opon tas Hsaboard;
we have .he forms and luxu-iance Of a
purely topical vegetation. Here jun
giles grow which cannot be traversed ex.
cept behind tle axe; where mighty oe-
dars are mixed with tae bombyK, the
figs, and toe bamboos Of the east; vines
and lanas bind the foliage together in
heavy clustering masses, while graceful
feathery palms tower aingly above all,
and the darkly y-shaded underground IL
rich in orchids and ferns and calladi-
ums Here the deadly nettle-tree par
alyzes the travellers horse, and the JIM
glea is broken by the steaming, rank
luxuriance Of the wide swamps. The
scene is Indian in its type and Brazilian
in its beauty; Australian only in ita
grand exception to the whole arid eonti
nent.
West ofthe great CordilleFa, north and
south, upon all its inland slopes, beauti-
full park-like viStas form the downs Of the
sheep-farmer. Level sometimes, but
generally unduIsting, they stretch in
grassy waves to green sho-es luxuriant
Jungle; not to an open scattered forest
OF gaunt eucalypti no often on 70 thickeia
Of acacias, relieved by trees Of the bauhi-
mia, the cedar, and other, deciduoua fam
, lilies. Savannas and rolling ridges Of
grassy uplands, alternated with belts and
patches of rich, shady tnickets, bounded
, by forests, and enclosed by ranges ofan-
gular, fantastic volcanic peaks and bar
riers, make landscape Of great beauty,
not uncommon 20 the western slopes Of
sne Cordillera. It only lacks One fea-
, ture to make perfect piclurr. II has
, wood and plain and mountain, bat wants
one other important factor, the same
one want Of the colntry-there 10 no
water in the view Ransen's Dominion
. of AusfraIia."