Page:Appendix to the first twenty-three volumes of Edwards's Botanical Register.djvu/13

 Rh limestone mountains of the Darling range, which rise about 2000 feet above the sea, and are covered with evergreen trees.

Dr. Milligan observes, that "the soil is of three different kinds—1st, sandy—2nd, alluvial—3rd, red loam; the first is found near the coast, and, though unpromising in appearance, trees, shrubs, and grasses grow on it abundantly, and with the assistance of manure excellent esculent vegetables are obtained from it, as the valuable gardens in the farms of Perth and Freemantle sufficiently testify. The second, or alluvial, is in extensive flats, and produces admirable crops of wheat, barley, oats, &c. without any assistance from manure. The third, or red loam, which is met with on the high ground on the banks of the rivers, produces the same crops as the alluvial, but requires the assistance of manure. There is a great deal of subterraneous moisture, which appears to be retained by a sub-soil of clay, which is to be met with at an average depth of five or six feet."

Mr. Frazer made the same remark as to the abundance of water near the surface. He says that he was very much astonished at the beautiful dark-green and vigorous appearance of the trees, considering that the season had been unusually dry; but he found the cause to depend upon the great quantity of springs with which the country abounds. On penetrating two feet into the earth he found the soil perfectly moist, and he felt confident that if he had penetrated a foot deeper he should have found water.

Concerning the climate, which Mr. Frazer describes as "the most delightful he ever experienced", we have some good information from Dr. Milligan. The hottest months are December, January and February; the greatest heat observed in four years was 106° Fahr. in January, 1831, and the least was 33° in July of the same year. The mean of the hottest month was 78°, and of the coldest 54°.84. Between nine and ten inches of rain fell in July, 1830, and June, 1833, while in January there was less than an inch; the summer months being hot and dry, the winter very wet and comparatively cold; the whole amount of rain that fell in 1830 was 32.142 inches, and, in 1833, 26.925 inches.

Among the introduced plants we are informed of the following facts. Along the banks of the rivers may be seen fields of wheat, barley, oats, peas, potatoes, turnips,