NORTHERN POINT OF THE TABLELAND 173 



local occurrence. The prevailing vegetation is of a 

 somewhat dry type, rather of the nature of a light 

 monsoon forest passing to the thornwood. Tropical 

 plants like the pandanus and a number of palms of the 

 Indo-Malaj'an region are undoubtedly present, with one 



FIG. 56. Pliysicai ieatures of Australia. 



or two large tropical species of leguminous and other 

 trees ; mangroves are frequent along the coast. 



Except for a few settlements of white men dotted 

 about the shore, the country is left to the primitive 

 Australians ; but it is destined by its climate and soil 

 to enjoy a prosperous future. 



The adjacent islands are fairly well wooded. 



