THE NORTH-AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITION. 241 



it separates the fine country just referred to from the valleys of the 

 Mackenzie, and other tributaries of the Fitz Koy River. 



61. So large an extent of this latter district has already been ten- 

 dered for as stock-runs, and reported upon by the Commissioner of 

 Crown Lands, that it would be useless for me to attempt a further de- 

 scription, which would necessarily be imperfect. 



62. With reference to the capabilities for settlement, the portion of 

 Australia traversed by the Expedition may be divided into three sec- 

 tions, each with its distinct character, climate, and geographical posi- 

 tion, viz. the north-west coast, the Gulf of Carpentaria, and the eastern 

 coast. 



63. The first of these offers considerable facilities, the Victoria giv- 

 ing access to the interior ; the navigation is by no means difficult, if 

 due precaution be observed. That the country is suited for stock, is 

 shown by the excellent condition of our horses and sheep, which re- 

 covered rapidly from a state of extreme exhaustion, consequent on the 

 protracted sea-voyage, while there is reason to believe that large tracts 

 of good country extend as far to the south-west as the Fitz Hoy, be- 

 yond which the desert appears to come down to the coast. 



64. Considering its position within the tropic, it is well watered by 

 the rivers ; and though the climate is extremely hot during three months 

 of the year, the dryness of the atmosphere seems to counteract that 

 unhealthiness which is usually inseparable from these latitudes. 



65. The country around the Gulf does not offer any great induce- 

 ment to the settler, being devoid of good harbours ; the rivers arc only 

 accessible for small vessels, while the available country bears but small 

 proportion to that which is utterly worthless. Its relative position 

 causes its climate to participate in some degree with that of the Aus- 

 tralian interior, and appears to be subject to drought. 



66. On the eastern coast a large proportion of good country exists 

 along the course of the Burdekin River and its tributaries. It forms a 

 continuation of the tract which extends north from Moreton Bay, over 

 which the stations are extending with such rapidity, that a few years 

 will probably suffice for the settlement of the country to lat. 18°. 



67. Judging from the character of the vegetation, the climate of this 

 part of Australia is cooler and more humid than that of the Gulf or 

 north-west coast ; the rainy season is not confined to any particular 

 period of the year, being situated between the intertropical and cxtra- 



vol. IX. 



2 i 



