On the physiography of ïiortheastern Australia. 9 



tina was also formerly an independent inland basin without outlet 

 which has been captured and divided among the présent Diamantina 

 and the Flinders River Systems. In this point, however, both diver- 

 ging opinions are of about the same value, both authors having little 

 personal knowledge of the region in question and their informations 

 about the physiography of that part of Queensland being very li- 

 mited. 



The story of the Flinders System .(Page 10 — 11.) is very simi- 

 lar to that of the Burdekin. Its Compound character is very striking 

 and its gorge north from Gogango through the granite range is a 

 proof of a récent capture» But in this case too 1 maintain my theory, 

 that the rivers which from ail parts join to form the présent Fitzroy 

 systém formerly formed one or several more or less connected îake 

 basins independent of the pacifie drainage but also of any western 

 River systém. I consider the theory of Mr. Taylor ordering ail the 

 rivers to the drainage of the former Oretaceous basin as a little too 

 schematic and forced. The whole character of great Stretches of almost 

 level country speaks for my opinion ; why and how should the rivers 

 drain far to the west, if we accept that formerly the country was 

 nearer to the baselevel than now and that the fall of the river cour- 

 ses was consequently much less pronounced than under the présent 

 conditions? There is as yet no substantial positive proof for my opi- 

 nion, for as far as I know no tertiary or later lake deposits ofsome 

 extension hâve been found, but the great „lakes" in which the country 

 turms after every exceptionally heavy rainy season points clearly to 

 the possibility of similar, only more decided conditions prevailing 

 before the capture by the Pacific coastal stream. 



About the Southeast Queensland hydrography, the character of 

 which is extreemly complicated, too little is known to attempt at 

 présent with any success the solution of its évolution. The character 

 of the „Compound" rivers, the „boat-hook" bends, theassymetry of the 

 basins are reliable witnesses of great changes in the direction of the 

 rivers, of the great instability of the divides and ail other phaeno- 

 menons following a vigorous change in the relief of the country. The 

 freshwater deposits near Brisbane, the salty clays covered by late 

 basait flow near Baramba station for the Aboriginals, the posttertiary 

 conglomérâtes mapped by Mr. Rands in the Divide country between 

 Styx River and Fitzroy River must be followed by many other simi- 

 lar proofs before we shall be able to try to solve the problém of 

 the évolution of the Southeast Queensland rivers. 



