VI INTRODUCTION. 



I have, first of all, given the reader some account (a 

 very brief one) of the aborigines, and then have 

 described, in natural order, the animals, birds, and 

 native trees and flowers, before referring to the new 

 race who have, by their superior knowledge, wrought 

 such wonders in that vast island-continent within the 

 last half century. 



The continent of Australia is, in round numbers, 

 2,500 miles from East to West, and 2,000 miles from 

 North to South. It is divided into New South Wales, 

 Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and West Aus- 

 tralia. These embrace a little over 3,000,000 square 

 miles of territory. 



The term Australasia includes the continent of 

 Australia, and the islands of New Zealand, Tasmania, 

 and other smaller adjacent islands as well. 



D. V. L. 



