JUST two years ago the writer was instructed by-the Mines Department, Victoria, to proceed along the Victorian border line from Cape Howe to Forest Hill for the purpose of examining and prospecting the easterly portion of Croagingolong. After a somewhat tedious journey with pack horses, Mallacoota was reached, from which settlement operations were commenced. Mallacoota Lake and its surroundings form one of the gem spots of Victoria. The country in the immediate locality of Mallacoota is silurian, traversed by large diorite dykes and a few auriferous reefs, several of which have been worked with payable results. Between Mallacoota and Cape Howe, Devonian conglomerates and sandstones make their appearance, overlaid for some four miles inland by tertiary sand and drift of a most dreary and barren character, bordered on the beach by long rolling sand dunes. The principal species of vegetation being ti-tree, honeysuckle, bloodwood and spotted gum with grass tree and various kinds of heath mixed extensively all through.