TOO Book Notices. \V.tJ^:^\■ 



are of far less importance. Under physiographic aspects 

 chapters are devoted to the exploration and exploitation, 

 physical conditions, natural regions (vegetation, geology, &c.), 

 with a special study of New South Wales. Under economic 

 aspects the author deals with stock-raising, agriculture, mining, 

 minor industries, and transport, finally giving a forecast of 

 the future close settlement of our continent, regarding which 

 his conclusions are that, as the suitability of the continent for 

 settlement depends upon rainfall and position, 24^ per cent, 

 must be considered as useless, to which ig| per cent., with a 

 rainfall of less than 10 inches, must be added if the risks of bad 

 seasons are to be allowed for, making a total of 44 per cent, 

 which he classes as arid ; 17^ per cent, (ten times the area of 

 Java) is suitable for tropical agriculture : while 39 J per cent, 

 is suitable for profitable white settlement Of this latter, 

 28 per cent, is good pastoral country, and 11 per cent, (three 

 times the area of Great Britain") good temperate farming 

 country. The writer's comments are well illustrated through- 

 out by maps and diagrams, and we trust the volume will show 

 other geographers the importance of Australia as a contributor 

 to the world's needs, even though, compared with its size, it 

 is thinly populated. It should also help to clear up many of 

 the inaccuracies regarding Australia which continually crop 

 up in contemporary literature. Though the writer has traversed 

 a large portion of the continent himself, naturally the writings 

 of many other authors are quoted, but to each due reference 

 is given. 



Sanctuaries for Game. — Nearly thirty Crown reserves, 

 amounting to 234 square miles, and twenty-three private 

 estates, covering about 25 square miles, have been proclaimed 

 as sanctuaries for native game in Victoria. These are situated 

 in all parts of the State, and, if the regulations are respected, 

 should in a few years become real homes for our feathered 

 friends. 



Flying Foxes. — " Near some of the creeks the clusters met 

 with must have represented tens of thousands of this combi- 

 nation of bird and animal ; and as they measured some four or 

 five feet from wing- tip to wing-tip, you can understand what 

 sort of commotion they produced, and the shadow they cast." 

 From " By Flood and Field," a new volume by Mr. Alfred 

 Searcy, of Adelaide, author of " In Australian Tropics," which 

 was so favourably received some months ago. From its pages 

 many interesting particulars about the natural history of the 

 Northern Territory may b'e gleaned, as well as information 

 regarding the aboriginal inhabitants of that part of Aus- 

 tralia. 



