Explorations of Australia. 163 



within five months, and with a judicious choice between the 

 better parts of Mr. Gregory's and Dr. Leichhardt's route, and 

 by avoiding many of the angles in both, a light party may 

 cross the continent in a similar direction, now almost within 

 four months. And gradually the distance between the fair 

 grassy country of Eastern and North-western Australia will still 

 be shortened by the extension of squatting stations on the 

 Burdekin, where the open character of the country, its salu- 

 brious climate, predominance of grass, the supply of water 

 offered by an uninterrupted current of the river, and its con- 

 stant proximity to the harbours of the east coast hold out the 

 greatest facility for settlement. By the water, which the 

 Burdekin receives from between 18° and 24° S., probably a 

 stream will be formed navigable near the sea, by which 

 the otherwise difficult transit across the jungle morasses of the 

 coast would be obviated. This interesting and highly 

 important question remains yet to be solved. 



In a scientific point of view the investigation of the high 

 mountains scattered along the tropical east coast, such as Mount 

 Abbott, Mount Dryander, Mount Hinchinbrooke (easy of access) 

 Mount Bellenden Ker, rising to the elevation of 5000' would also 

 be highly desirable. 



The enterprise evinced by South Australia has led in the 

 course of this year, likewise to a few new geographical 

 discoveries. 



Mr. Swinden and his companions found Lake Torrens dis- 

 connected with Spencer's Gulf, and a wider extension of the 

 former to the westward. Low stony hills extend along the 

 south-west flank of the lake. Water, seemingly permanent, was 

 discovered. 



Mr. Hack proceeded from Streaky Bay to the Gawler Ranges 

 and found some stretches of new pastoral land, although salt- 

 bush country and scrub-land with salt-lakes, predominated. No 

 hills of any size were observed in a north-westerly direction at 

 least for fifty miles beyond the Gawler Ranges. Fair grassy 

 country with springs was traversed at the eastern side of 

 Gawler's and toward's Baxter's Range. 



I cannot with silence pass the last observations on Lake 

 Torrens by Mr. Goyder. Not only because its waters where 

 found to be fresh in the northern part of the lake, but also as a 

 warning to travellers, — how little we can rely on the per- 

 manency of water, which in an open desert country so rapidly 

 evaporates ! 



Mr. Oakden was repelled in 1851 from his position on fresh- 



