RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstract of Sturt, Two expeditions into the interior of southern Australia. CUL-DAR38.835a. Edited by John van Wyhe Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed and edited by John van Wyhe 3.2013. RN2
NOTE: Reproduced with the permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin.
Sturt, Charles. 1833. Two expeditions into the interior of southern Australia during the years 1828, 1829, 1830, and 1831: With observations on the soil, climate, and general resources of the colony of New South Wales. By Capt. Charles Sturt, 39th Regtā¦ 2 vols. London.
835v
Sturt Vol. I. xxxix. Intro1
Shoal Haven Gully 1200ft. about 1/4 of mile broad; country on each side level.-
Dry season return periodically after every te [bottom of page excised]
"At Goulburn Plains, however, a vein of limestone occurs, which is evidently connected with that forming the ShoalHaven Gully, which is perhaps the most remarkable geological feature in the colony of New South Wales. It is a deep chasm of about a quarter of a mile in breadth, and 1200 feet in depth. The country on either side is perfectly level, so much so that the traveller approaches almost to its very brink before he is aware of his being near so singular an abyss. A small rivulet flows through the Gully, and discharges itself into the sea at ShoalHaven; but this river is hardly perceptible, from the summit of the cliffs forming the sides of the Gully, which are of the boldest and most precipitous character. The ground on the summit is full of caves of great depth, but there has been a difficulty in examining them, in consequence of the violent wind that rushes up them, and extinguishes every torch."
See further notes in the Red Notebook.
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
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