416 



leaves, for on the expedition it was a matter of common 

 remark that whereas foliage was scanty or scarcely developed, 

 blooms and seed-vessels were crowded on the plants to their 

 fullest extent. This superabundance of vegetable food would, 

 of course, be reflected on the animal life, as, indeed, has 

 since become only too apparent. It was thought that the 

 first "season" following the breaking of the drought would be 

 an admirable period for collecting zoological objects in the 

 interior, but it is now known that recovery was not complete, 

 and that better results would have accrued had the expedi- 

 tion been postponed for twelve months. It is now also 

 apparent that the results would have been appreciably greater 

 had we made all possible speed to Innamincka and collected 

 more leisurely along the course of the Cooper and extended 

 operations to the Diamantina, whence we learn that most of 

 the lake and river birds migrated. 



The increase of animal life, due to favourable conditions, 

 following a period of drought is nothing short of marvellous. 

 Leaving out of consideration the question of man-tended stock, 

 we may look to wild animals and birds. At the time we 

 passed through the arid interior very few mammals were seen ; 

 even the rabbit seemed to have almost disappeared in places, 

 and no recent occupation of many large warrens was visible ; 

 now we are told that rabbits are swarming everywhere. The 

 country from one end to the other is now overrun with 

 milliards of mice, destroying enormous quantities of stacked 

 wheat. At first we read that, say, 15,000 mice were killed 

 at one stack in two days; then Mr. F. C. England patented 

 a double-fence trap, and the catches are now determined by 

 weight, e.g., "At one stack the system resulted in a catch of 

 eight tons of mice in four nights." The fungus disease, 

 Favus (Achorion, sp.), has made its appearance among the 

 rodents, and this will no doubt rapidly decimate them. Though 

 not necessarily connected with post-drought conditions, it is 

 significant to read that railway trains are occasionally delayed 

 owing to the crushed bodies of myriads of grasshoppers render- 

 ing the rails slippery. There is also a great increase in bird 

 life, perhaps especially seed-eating species and those, such as 

 Spoonbills and Ibis, etc., feeding upon the smaller vertebrates. 



Effects of Stock. 



It may be truly said that the whole face of the country 

 is changed by the introduction of stock ; the natural denizens 

 are driven out either by man or his direct agency, and food 

 supply is monopolized by his introductions : native plants are 

 eradicated, and aliens are unintentionally introduced in 

 their stead, and it is a matter of common observation that 



