NORTH AUSTRALIAN BOTANY. 331 



attend to five horses, which I have of course to saddle and to pack, 

 which is but a fair and necessary arrangement, as actually every indi_ 

 vidual is only attending thus to the conveyance of the means of his 

 subsistence mid his comforts. Should circumstances frustrate our 

 meeting the vessel, we might then be expected to reach, under the 

 protection of Providence, Moreton Bay or some part of the eastern 

 settlements in eight or nine months. Considering this emergency, our 

 equipment is as light as possible,"to enable us thus to carry the greatest 

 quantity of food (flour, rice, salt pork, tea, and sugar) possible; I 

 could therefore not convey more than half a ream of light paper. I 

 was under similar restrictions when we pushed into Central Australia, 

 as we might have been cut oif from our retreat, like Captain Sturt, for 

 many months; the consequence is, that the number of specimens 

 brought from the interior is but limited ; and I regret to say, that 

 many are in a sad condition, many having been carried more than 1500 

 miles on horseback. I only hope that, after having escaped narrowly^ 

 soaking in fording the watercourses at various times, they will safely 



reach their destination. 



Before concluding this letter I have to ask a great favour. Sir 

 William ; namely, if I find other circumstances not adverse, to be per- 

 mitted to take myself the collections home to England for description. 

 My review of Crotalaria and other genera has proved to me sufficiently, 

 that I ought to compare the Indian plants before I can safely establish 

 Australian species, in many cases. One year and a half at home would 

 be sufficient for this purpose, if you would extend towards me your 

 well-known liberality, and open me your collections; and T tbink 

 the Government might at least give me a free passage, since I have 

 not been incurring expense to them previous to my arrival in Sydney. 

 This home journey would also give me the opportunity to publisli the 

 Flora of Australia Felix and South Australia, for which I might consider 

 my materials almost complete. How delightful it would be to me to 

 express personally my veneration for you ! 



Mr. Baines desires to be remembered to yourself and to the famous 

 Dr. Burchell; and I wish that you, Sir William, as well as Drs. Hooker 

 and Harvey, and IMr. Latrobe, will retain in ^"^^\''"^^^^^^'^^^ 



most obedient and devoted, 



(7b be continupff) 



