NORTH AUSTRALIAN EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 49 



bany Island) exhibits mostly plants identical \vith species from India 

 or the South Sea Islands. A Tribulus appears to be identical with the 

 desert species from the Murray and Darling. Sesuvinm, Folycarpcea^ 

 and Polanisia^ I find unnoticed amongst Australian genera ; and Gly- 

 cycocca, intermediate between Wallrotliia and Vitex^ is altogether new, 

 and not unworthy of notice, on account of its pleasant fruit ; unfor- 

 tunately only one specimen was found of it. 



Mimusops KauJci is another fruit-plant from these localities, and oc- 

 curs abundantly ; in perfect maturity the fruit loses its astringency, and 

 is then by no means to be despised. Araucaria was discernible on 

 many of the islands which we passed ; but, like CalUtris^ observed on 

 none of those on which we landed. On Albany Island a single Pro- 

 teaceous plant was observed, namely, Grevillea gibbosa^ forming a tall 

 bush or a very small tree, resembling, in its dull grey foliage, certain 

 Eucalypti, WahUnbergia gracilis was here also growing; and perhaps 

 other herbaceous plants, common in extratropical Australia, would 

 likewise be noticed at a more favourable season. 



But of the most interesting points for plants yet unexplored in 

 Eastern Australia, we had only a view, but this view close enough to 

 be tantalizing. I allude to the high bold ranges which approach here 

 and there on the tropical eastern coast to the sea, as Mount Hinchin- 

 brook (3500 feet high), Mount Bellenden Ker, and Cape Tribulation. 

 In one glance we could see displayed before us favourable landing- 

 places, spurs for easy descent, richly wooded groves, with a varied tint 

 of vegetation ; and if I add to this the information gleaned from Mr. 

 Carron's narrative on the lowland Flora, who discovered hereabouts, in 

 the unfortunate Kennedy's expedition, a Pitcher-plant, a Mma^ Ana- 

 cardium, etc., it is then unnecessary to speak of my ardent desire to 

 return once to localities so promising for the enlargement of our fa- 

 vourite science. 



Our main labours are now soon to commence, and we shall be ba- 

 nished from civilized society for a long period. I trust that we shall 

 be able to retain strength in the hot, enervating climate, so as to gain 

 the great results expected from this Expedition,— results which will 

 probably be conclusive to the whole geography of Australia ; and we 

 are happy that the choice fell fortunately upon Mr. Gregory as our 

 leader, whose tried ability and pleasing, serene manners cannot fail to 

 inspire all equally with confidence and devotion. 



VOL. VIII, 



II 



