May 28, I860.] AUSTRALIA. 195 



On the north-eastern side of the continent, and towards the 

 southern limits of the new government of Queensland, a very im- 

 portant discovery has been made, consisting of a capacious harbour 

 sheltered from every wind. The territory within which this 

 harbour exists is on the eastern slopes of the Australian Alps, and 

 is therefore probably well watered, which is equivalent to its being 

 fertile, since it lies close to the Tropic. Should this turn out to be 

 the case, it will most likely be found well adapted to the growth of 

 cotton, the sugar cane, and even coffee. In this event an abundance 

 of suitable labour only will be wanting, which can be supplied by 

 a liberal importation of Chinese immigrants. By favour of the 

 Duke of Newcastle, the despatch of His Excellency Sir George 

 F. Bo wen, f.r.g.s., describing the new harbour, has been furnished 

 to us. 



The map of the colonj^ of Queensland, by Mr. L. F. Landsberg, 

 extending from the parallel of 22° S. to 28° S., and to about 5° from 

 the coast, exhibits considerable detail. 



The map of Tasmania, in four sheets — scale -^-f ^. g ^ „ , or about 5 

 miles to an inch, by James Sprent, Esq., Surveyor-General — is 

 coloured to distinguish the counties, gives soundings, and is appa- 

 rently the largest and best map published. 



This sketch of Australian discoveries in the course of the past 

 year would be imperfect if I were to pass unnoticed the perspi- 

 cuous and popular explanation which, at two meetings of the 

 Society, was given of this continent by Professor Jukes, derived 

 from his own personal experience and long meditation. He clearly 

 pointed out the source of that general character of drought which 

 we know, from our seventy years' experience of it, belongs to the 

 Australian land, and he indicated the causes which in particular 

 localities tended to mitigate it. From the Professor's account we 

 shall probably be led to the conclusion that the common belief that 

 the great mass of the interior of the continent is but an arid desert, 

 is well founded. 



But even allowing such to be the case, still a vast amount of land 

 remains for human use, and by good fortune it has so happened 

 that we have hit at once on the best parts of the country. To judge 

 by our experience of it, Australia may, as it appears to me, be 

 described as a country of great drought, but at the same time, and 

 probably arising from this very drought, a country of eminent 

 salubrity, far exceeding in this respect every other colony founded 

 by the nations of Europe. Not only does the European thrive in 



