THE SURFACE OF THE EAETH. 



called by modern geographers Australasia, being the most con- 

 siderable tracts of land in the southern latitudes. The various 

 islands sprinkled in countless numbers over the Pacific Ocean, 

 comprising Australasia itself, have received the general name of 

 Oceania. 



75. Polynesia. Those which lie between the Indian Archi- 

 pelago and the western coast of America, taken collectively, have 

 been called Polynesia. 



76. British Colony; its territory and physical features. 

 From the circumstance of the recent gold discoveries, and the con- 

 sequent emigration from the United Kingdom to Australia, this 

 colony has acquired a greater interest than any which its mere 

 geographical pretensions could claim for it. It may therefore 

 be desirable here to notice its physical character and conditions. 



Notwithstanding the immense immigration which has taken 

 place, and the excitement attending the mineral researches, of 

 which it has become the theatre, the surface of this great island 

 has been but very imperfectly explored. One of the most remark- 

 able and geographical characters it presents is the complete 

 absence of large navigable rivers, and the uniform outline of its 

 coast, which has no indentations forming bays, gulfs, or other 

 inlets. It is surrounded by a chain of mountains, the sum- 

 mit-ridge of which is from 30 to 40 miles from the shore. The 

 chain running along the eastern coast, which is best known, 

 is called the Australian Alps at the extreme south, the Blue 

 Mountains near Sidney, and the Liverpool chain towards the 

 north. From the slopes of these mountains a few small rivers 

 descend, which are so inconsiderable as to be nearly dry in 

 summer. The interior consists of a series of low plains, which 

 include good pasturages, and large tracts covered with sand and 

 shells, which have an appearance such as would be presented by 

 a surface from which the sea had recently retired. Some consider- 

 able streams have been seen in the interior, but whether they now 

 into an inland sea like those which run into the great Asiatic 

 lake, or are absorbed by the sands, has not been ascertained. 



One of the most curious physical characters connected with this 

 island is the existence on its north-eastern coast, at a distance of 

 from 20 to 70 miles, of the longest coral reef in the world, measuring 

 about 1200 miles in length, and rising out of the bosom of a sea 

 said to be fathomless. The breadth of this reef varies from a few 

 hundred yards to several miles. 



77. Its climate. "When it is remembered that the extreme 

 latitudes of Australia are 15 and 40, it may be expected that its 

 climate must be mild and salubrious. "With a drier atmosphere 

 it has all the thermometric characters of Southern Italy. The 



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