LATE ALLAN CUNNINGHAM, ESQ. 309 



direction of the meridian, would penetrate north to the paral- 

 lel of Cape Moreton, in lat. 27^ South. In this nonhern 

 journey would be ascertained the general features and char- 

 acter of a portion of our interior, comprehending four de- 

 grees of latitude, as also its geological structure, the nature 

 of its soil, the importance and value of its timbers, and the 

 number, magnitude, and velocity of the streams by which it 

 Js watered. In this excursion, moreover, would be determin- 

 ed how far the Brisbane River is to be considered as origi- 

 nating in the high lands near the coast, or whether the opi- 

 nion that Ivas prevailed is correct, of the identity of its stream 

 with some presumed outlet from the eastern margins of our 

 interior marshes, which (presuming that the declivity or dip 

 of the country easterly favours the hypothesis,) may exist du- 

 ring certain periods, of extensive overflows, occasioned by the 

 vast quantities of water that are known to be poured into 

 them by our own western rivers, during seasons of long rains. 

 Shouldcircumstances connected with my establishment permit, 

 and a dry season favour me, it is my design, upon reaching 

 the latitude of 27° S., to devote a portion of tinie to a west- 

 ern excursion, direct in the interior, with the view of gather- 

 ing some facts in reference to the magnitude of those great 

 marshes, and their extent northerly, from the latitude of 30F 

 S., in which parallel Mr Oxley quitted their eastern margin 

 in 1818. Independently of this consideration, the course I 

 should thus pursue, and also my subsequent eastern and 

 south-eastern routes, to an intersection of my outward 

 track, would afford me the means of reporting to your 

 Excellency on the variety of country my expedition would 

 traverse. Should, however, the season prove wet, and 

 the general aspect of the weather furnish too evident indica- 

 tions of an approach of much rain, upon my arrival at the 

 parallel of 27=' S., rendering it hazardous to my party to dip 

 into a low declining interior, such as I am disposed to appre- 

 'lend exists in that parallel of latitude, it would be highly im- 

 prudent to quit my position on thehigh eastern lands. Having, 

 therefore, by an easterly course, endeavoured to discover the 



