360 DR. LEICHARDT's OVERLAND JOURNEY 
favourable for the development of animal life. The elevation 
of Peak Range and of the Table Land of the Burdekin, 
renders it probable that these regions are fit for sheep. 
The cotton, the indigo, the cocoa-nut, the banana, the 
arrow-root, the sweet potatoe, the bread-fruit, the jack- 
fruit, the sower-sop, the pine apple, the mango, and mangos- 
tine grew well at Port Essington; and Captain Macarthur 
informed Dr. Leichardt that according to the statement of 
the Malays, who had examined the swamps west of the 
settlement, they would do excellently for growing rice. The 
large plains of the Alligator Rivers would suit equally well, 
and to an almost unlimited extent. 
If a line is drawn from Halifax Bay to Port Essington, 
and divided into three almost equal parts, the points of 
division would fall on Halifax Bay, on the head of the Gulf 
of Carpentaria at Limmenbight, and Port Essington. Should 
good harbours be found, and settlements be established on 
those points of division, they would scarcely be as far from 
each other as Sydney from Port Phillip, and the overland 
communication would be probably equally easy, or would be 
rendered so after a very short time. | yum 
In addition to these observations Dr. Leichardt gue 
very extensive list of the zoological productions met with in 
the course of his journey and also some interesting remarks 
on the natives that they fell in with, among which the fol- 
lowing remarkable circumstance is mentioned. The ear of 
. the native Australian so sensitive to noises with the origin 
. Of which they are acquainted, as the rustling of a lizard or 
. snake, or the rapid start of a kangaroo rat, did not perceive 
_the foot-fall of the horses, and they were once with Aber 
whole train near a camp of jabbering, laughing, movi?s 
|  matives, without their being aware of the approach ofthe —— 
party. Once, a native walked at dusk into the camp, *" a T 
‘Was surrounded by the horses before he knew that other em 
beings save himself were present: -= NE Ge 
Dr. Leichardt has collected the following facts in proof : 
