310 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE 



point at which Major Lockyer had penetrated up the Bris- 

 bane River from the sea, in September, 1825, in which I 

 may be aided by extracts in my possession, from the journals 

 of that gentleman, I propose, then, (having determined the 

 geographical position of his extreme point of penetration,) to 

 pursue a southern course, through the elevated country lying 

 to the eastward of my outward-shaped track, and in my pro- 

 gress homeward, I feel satisfied I shall gather such particu- 

 lars in reference to the very considerable expanse of undulat- 

 ed country stretching to the parallel of 31° S., as will prove 

 highly interesting to the grazier, and important to the colony 

 in general. In the progress of this lengthened tour, it will 

 be my first consideration to construct a sketch of my route, 

 on geographical principles, noting the directions of all the 

 principal mountain ranges, and fixing their positions, not 

 simply by the series of angles I shall employ throughout the 

 country as I proceed, but by daily altitudes of the sun, taken 

 at the meridian, and lunar distances, as often as these can be 

 effected in the progress of the month. It will, moreover, 

 afford me great pleasure {provided I can obtain, upon my re- 

 turn, daily corresponding observations made in Sydney du- 

 ring my absence), toobserve the height of the mercurial column 

 at special periods each day, throughout my journey, in order 

 that I may be able to determine, by barometrical admeasure- 

 ment, the elevation above the ocean, of the country over which 

 I may travel. To effect these important and very interesting 

 points of this proposed journey, it is my intention to carry 

 with me a sextant of superior description, divided to 10'^ — a 

 Schmalcalder's compass, combining most satisfactorily the 

 circumferentor, the traveller's and azimuth compasses, for 

 the determination of the magnetic variation — an odometer, 

 to measure the base lines — a mountain barometer, and a 

 pocket chronometer. Having submitted at length to your 

 Excellency a scheme of iny proposed nortiiern tour, of which 

 the result will furnish an important material to fill up ^ 

 considerable blank in the charts of the colony, I have the 

 honour to lay before your Excellency a requisition for an out- 



