Page:A sketch of the physical structure of Australia.djvu/19

7 character,—sometimes peaked and serrated ridge—sometimes detached hills rising from slightly elevated ground, —sometimes great table lands, often ending towards the sea in nearly perpendicular escarpments,—sometimes having on one side or other gently sloping plains furrowed by innumerable precipitous gulleys and ravines. Large lateral spurs often diverge on either hand from the central portion of the chain, and, especially on its seaward side, appear like separate and independent mountain masses.

Tasmania may be said to be entirely occupied by this chain, as it is a complete net-work of ridges (called there "tiers") enclosing a multitude of small plains and valleys. In at least two places the summits of these ridges attain a height of upwards of 5,000 feet, while several reach that of 4,000. From the N.E. corner of Tasmania the chain may be traced across Bass's Straits by the curved line of lofty and rugged islands that lead up to Wilson's Promontory. From this point the chain strikes into the interior of New South Wales, and shortly attains its greatest elevation in the "Australian Alps." The height of the loftiest peak of this group, named by Count Strzelecki Mount Kosciusko, is stated by that observer to be 6,500 feet.