EXPLORATION OF INTERIOR. 415 



rate, they are not the best that could be selected. 

 The centre of the continent must be reached by the 

 shortest possible journey ; it being advisable to avoid 

 the despondency that seizes on a party during a 

 protracted expedition, and to keep up throughout a 

 certain degree of excitement. As, therefore, the 

 greatest indentation on the shores of the continent 

 is the Gulf of Carpentaria, the head of the Albert 

 River, which discharges its waters into the bottom 

 of it, is unquestionably the best point of departure 

 that could be selected, being one-half the distance 

 of Fort Bourke from the centre, and two-thirds 

 nearer than Moreton Bay. 



I have before recommended the use of camels, 

 with skins for carrying water, in an undertaking of 



the central desert, as follows : — " I could see no change in the 

 terrible desert to which I had penetrated. The horizon was un- 

 broken by a single mound, from north round to north again, and 

 it was as level as that of the ocean. My view to the north ex- 

 tended about eight miles, but I did not venture to compass that 

 distance, only perhaps to have overlooked a similar heart-rending 

 and desolate scene." This bears out the opinion expressed in 

 the text. I do not hesitate, however, in the face of the interest- 

 ing evidence brought forward by Capt. Sturt, still to doubt the 

 existence of an inland sea. I think the high temperature he 

 experienced contradicts such an hypothesis ; and I beheve the 

 large expanse of water, reported by the natives, to be the Gulf 

 of Carpentaria, which bore about north (true) six hundred miles 

 from his position, Moreton Bay being nearly equidistant on an 

 east bearing, whilst Adelaide bore S. by W. J W. about four 

 hundred and thirty miles. 



