230 THE NORTH-AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITION. 



distinct from Cassia in producing in the middle of the lower stamens a 

 large globular nodus, and in lower anthers not only opening half- 

 lengthwise, but also with a large basal foramen. This is one of the 

 most charming trees I ever beheld, and well worthy to bear the name of 

 the great and venerable natural philosopher, Sir David Brewster. 



Plagiotropis recedes principally from Vigna in the paradoxical struc- 

 ture of its carina, which is repressed laterally, that side which thus be- 

 comes the front of it, protruding into a long, hollow cone. Specimens will 

 come in the next sending, but I add to this parcel a specimen of Brew- 

 steria, for kind inspection of yourself, Dr. Hooker, or Mr. Bentham. 



Letter f? 



!sQ. 3 Commander of th 



{Continued from p. 209.) 



[Second Letter of Mr. Gregory (alluded to at p. 201) to the Go- 

 vernor-General of Australia, dated — ] 



Burnett District, 2nd December, 1856. 



Sir, — I have the honour to inform you of the arrival of the North- 

 Australian Expedition within the limits of the settled parts of New 

 South Wales, and transmit, for the information of his Excellency the 



Governor-General, a brief outline of the proceedings of the Expedi- 

 tion. 



From the time of landing the horses at Point Pearce, in September 



1855, to the 9th of May, 1856, the party was employed in preliminary 



details, and the exploration of the country to the south of the Victoria 



River, having penetrated the interior desert to latitude 18° 20' south, 



in longitude 127° 30' east, a detail of which I forwarded by the ' Tom 



Tough' schooner, via Coepang, and which doubtless has already come 

 to hand. 



The schooner 'Tom Tough' having been seriously damaged in as- 

 cending the Victoria River, and a quantity of stores and provisions 

 thereby destroyed, I instructed Mr. Baines to embark that portion of 

 the Expedition which was not required to form the land party, and 

 proceed to Coepang for supplies, and thence to the Albert River, in 

 the Gulf of Carpentaria, to co-operate with the land expedition. 



On the 21st of June I left the encampment on the Victoria River, 



