May 23, 1859.] GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON AUSTRALIAN COLONIES. 341" 



Being much impressed with the value of the publications on 

 the structure and natural history of the several states of North 

 America, and particularly by a work in 22 volumes on the State 

 of Chile, of which 16 are devoted to the zoology and botany 

 of that country (the portion on geology being still in progress). 

 Sir William Denison has suggested that works on a similar plan, 

 descriptive of the natural history of the British colonial empire, 

 should be set on foot. 



Agreeing with Sir W. Denison that such an undertaking is well 

 worthy of the nation whose oifshoots have taken root so extensively, 

 I trust that due encouragement will be given to the proposal, and 

 that it may not be checked by the difficulties which at first sight 

 present themselves in bringing it into an effective working state. 

 Sir William feels certain that the different colonies, if called upon, 

 would gladly contribute largely to the work, whilst he looks 

 to the Imperial Government to take upon itself the task of 

 arranging and publishing these contributions upon one uniform 

 system. 



The practicability of realizing some such plan as this for our 

 Australian colonies, is illustrated in part by the mode of publica- 

 tion proposed of the geological survey of Trinidad and other West 

 India Islands, to which I have alluded. Works like these, the 

 cost of which is to be divided between the colony and the mother 

 country, must tend to unite by closer bonds all parts of our empire. 

 The practical difficulties will lie first in the selection of per- 

 sons competent to execute the task, and, next, to organise such 

 a home staff as may efficiently carry the publications through the 

 press. 



In reference to Australia, it may indeed be said that parts 

 of the scheme of Sir W. Denison are already advanced. Thus, 

 it is certain that there are few animals or plants of New South 

 Wales which are not known to the eminent naturalists Mr. W. 

 Macleay, and Dr. John Bennett, who reside at Sydney ; whilst the 

 geology of large tracts has been accurately laid down since those 

 days when Strzelecki first opened out to us its structure, by Clarke, 

 Jukes, Stuchbury, and others. 



Again, from Victoria, now under the enlightened auspices of 

 Sir H. Barkly, we are constantly receiving proofs of the zeal and 

 ability with which Mr. A. Selwyn is describing and laying down 

 accurately upon maps the geological features of that rich auriferous. 



