TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 123 
distant time they will be followed, I trust, by a similar series for the Pacific and 
Indian Oceans. 
Following up the progress of geographical discovery from early times, and 
under conditions which have been the most favourable, we find that in Europe 
and over the greater portions of North and South America, where freedom of in- 
tercourse and travel are unrestricted, we have comparatively little to learn. 
Over the greater part of Asia also, throughout the great Empires of China and 
Japan, there is no reason to doubt but that the science of Geography is well under- 
stood and cultivated, although from the peculiar customs and institutions of these 
countries, and the jealousy of their rulers, they are still in a great measure closed 
to the observation and enterprise of Europeans. 
Of that neutral ground, as it were, in Central Asia, between the northern fron- 
tiers of India and the southern boundaries of the Russian Empire, and in Western 
Tartary, which has been attracting much attention lately, there is yet much to 
learn, although through the zeal and enterprise of our own Indian officers on the one 
hand, and from the Russian armies of exploration, not to say encroachment, on the 
other, we are adding something to our knowledge each succeeding year; and but 
a few weeks since a traveller left these shores, under the auspices of the Royal 
Geographical Society, in the pursuit of new geographical encroachments in this 
region. 
‘Even with the geography of the vast groups of Islands strewed over the Pacific 
and Indian Oceans, we are for the most part tolerably acquainted, thanks to mari- 
time discovery, in many cases aided by the labours and researches of the church 
missions, which have taken no inconsiderable share in the work. But there is an- 
other side to the picture, and it must be confessed that it is a darker one. If we 
turn to Africa, even to Australia, to New Guinea, to Borneo (to that sealed book 
of the north lying almost at our very threshhold), the mind can barely contem- 
plate the vast problems that geography has yet to solve, and we almost sicken at 
the reflection how little (how comparatively little) has resulted from all the ereat 
efforts and noble sacrifices which have been made by individuals in our own time 
- and in the times before us. 
Let us turn to Australia: here a great English nation may be said to have 
sprung up within the present generation, and yet scarcely more than a corner of it 
can be considered as fairly occupied; with its sea margin alone, and not even all 
that, are we thoroughly acquainted ; and notwithstanding the dauntless energy and 
courage of the numerous explorers, too many of whom have given up their lives in 
the cause, it is no exaggeration to say that by far the greater part of the interior 
of this sea-girt continent is as little known as it was when Cook first visited its 
shores a hundred years ago. 
In the interest, then, of any future explorations, the question seems to arise, 
_ To what causes are we to attribute the comparatively small measure of success 
which has hitherto been attained? It may be that there are undertakings beyond the 
scope of individual enterprise, or indeed of any enterprise not under the direct aid 
and auspices of a government; doubtless great physical difficulties existed, yet 
they were not in most instances underrated ; means and resources may have been 
inadequate, organization and combination may have been wanting ; but be this as 
it may, it is certain that as yet no effort has been made commensurate with the 
difficulties to be overcome and the importance of the results to be gained. A per- 
fect knowledge of the geography of a country must doubtless inevitably follow, and 
‘not precede occupation and civilization ; but these conditions exist now to a certain 
extent*in Australia, and it does seem that the time has come when a combined effort 
should be made to clear up what must be almost considered a reproach to geogra- 
phy. Those who have read or studied the history of geographical discovery, can- 
not fail to have remarked how seldom any great results have been attained until 
after repeated efforts and many failures, and how often, when hard-earned experi- 
ence has made success seem almost certain, the prize has been relinquished when 
_ almost within our grasp. This can scarcely remain the case long as regards 
Australia: an organized exploration of the interior indeed has been proposed, and 
is still under consideration; it has received the warm approval and countenance of 
the Geographical Society, before which a paper has been read on the subject by its 
