fo ^^oyage of the Novara. 



scientific men of the colony,* and owing to the deep interest 

 taken by these gentlemen in this truly national undertaking, 

 the sphere of its activity is likely ere long to be extended 

 to scientific publications, the appearance of which will be 

 doubly valuable and important in a country which presents 

 so many different objects for investigation and elucidation. 



If, however, our knowledge of Australia and its black 

 aboriginal tribes is as yet very scanty, it has not assuredly 

 been due to any cold indifference on the part of the 

 new settlers for the history of a country and a race of men 

 who are rapidly disappearing from the face of the country. 

 It is rather to be found in the physical conditions of the 

 continent, and especially in the great scarcity of perennial 

 springs. In fact, there is hardly any country, with the 

 exception of Africa, the exploration of which has cost the 

 lives of so many scientific travellers as this fifth quarter of 

 the world. What manly devotion, ardour, and perseverance, 

 characterize such names as Leichhardt, Oxley, Kennedy, 

 Eyre, Mitchell, Cunningham, Strut, Babbage, Warburton, 

 Stuart, Gregory, Selwyn, MacDonnell, &c. ! And it may fill 

 a German with honest pride, that one of his race has 

 attained the pinnacle of scientific eminence here ! The name 



* At the period of our visit to the colony, the post of secretary was filled by Mr. 

 G. French Angus, distinguished as an artist, and widely known for his valuable 

 ethnological studies upon the Caffers, New Zealanders, and South Australian abori- 

 gines. Unfortunately his health gave way, owing to his exertions, and he now lives 

 in retirement at CoUingwood, in South Australia, where however he is still animated 

 by the most intense zeal for science. 



