10 Feb., 1919.] The Australian Glimaie. 123 



The Northern Territory is discussed at length. Its elevation above 

 sea level is disappointing. Its climatic analogies (i.e., Mozambique, 

 Siam, Northern Brazil, &c.) are not favorable for close white settle- 

 ment. Its natural line of entry is via, Queensland rather than from 

 Adelaide. 



The arid region of South Australia and its peculiar geological evolu- 

 tion is described. The Flinders Range has risen across the tertiary 

 rivers and dammed back the salt lakes. The undeveloped inland country 

 is thought to have a rainfall of only six to eight inches, and the Mus- 

 grave Ranges have probably but little effect on the rainfall. The Trans- 

 Australian railway and " Goyder's (Wheat) Line " are dealt with in 

 early sections. 



In Queensland the peculiar course of the rivers — ^which rise in a low 

 recent divide and flow to the sea through high ranges — is explained by 

 relief diagrams. The special features of the Atherton Plateau (the 

 most valuable region available for tropical settlement) are emphasised. 

 On its eastern flank no less than fourteen feet of rain are recorded as 

 the average yearly record. 



The New England Plateau is shown to be the largest in Australia, 

 and the value of its waterfalls and gorges (nearly 3,000 feet deep) for 

 hydro-electric power is indicated. The softwood scrubs on the eastern 

 slopes still contain much valuable timber. 



In the sections on New South Wales a discussion of the general 

 irrigation problem shows that only about one acre in Australia in every 

 thousand (requiring water) has been reclaimed. The writer is not 

 sanguine that this proportion can ever be greatly bettered. 



The unique gorges of the Blue Mountains, and the long rift valleys 

 around Canberra, are illustrated by relief diagrams which show that 

 they are due to a late uplift of our eastern coastlands. A similar bird's- 

 eye view of the Victorian highlands show that they have originated in 

 the uneven elevation of chunks of the earth's crust. The bearing on 

 communications is obvious. 



The climate of Canberra is contrasted very favorably with that of 

 Sydney, and shown to resemble Melbourne in its absence of muggy 

 weather. 



Two sketches show how Port Phillip, the Yarra, Goulburn, and 

 their tributaries have evolved in a much troubled portion of the earth. 

 Victoria is characterized by six belts of vegetation, whose distribution 

 is determined primarily by rainfall, but also by the geology. 



In Tasmania reference is made to the evidence of the ice age which 

 has moulded the highlands. The resemblance between the floras of 

 Patagonia and Tasmania is indicated; and the characteristic pines and 

 beeches are shown to be distributed only where the rainfall exceeds 50 

 inches. 



The work is illustrated by 183 maps and diagrams, and constitutes 

 the first memoir published by the Advisory Council of Science and 

 Industry. It will be supplied on application to the secretary of the 

 Advisory Council, 314 Albert-street, East Melbourne, on receipt of 5s. 

 An atlas containing the coloured contour and rainfall maps referred to 

 above can be supplied separately for Is. 6d. 



