range by a circuitous route. Deep ravines are crossed on lofty iron bridges, and the shoulders of the hills are tunnelled through frequently; so that the scene is constantly changing, and one passes from an extended view of the great plain on which Adelaide is situated, with the city in the middle distance and the Southern Ocean beyond, into total darkness, to emerge a minute later and catch a passing glimpse of a long winding mountain gorge.
Sixty miles from Adelaide the river Murray is crossed. It is a slowly flowing river of about one-third of a mile in breadth, and of about 1,700 miles total length. It is navigable for steamers for the greater part of its course, considerable sums of money having been spent by the three colonies of South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales, through the respective borders of which it flows, in "snagging"; that is to say, in clearing from its bed the huge red gum trees which have fallen into its waters. The red gum is a valuable species of eucalyptus, very tough and durable, from which the felloes of wheels are made. It is also one of the most lasting timbers known for pier building. These trees grow close to the banks of the river, and, being gradually undermined as the earth is washed from their roots, they fall in and become what is known as a "snag." The word has been given a wider meaning, and a politician, for instance, who has been baulked in some effort is said to have run against a snag. Too many snags spoil the politician. The control of the Murray River and its tributaries formed one of the great inducements to (as well as one of the difficulties in the way of) federation; the apportionment of the respective rights of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia to draw off water for irrigating and other purposes having given rise
