

CHAPTER I. 

 Introductory Remarks. 



objict of the VVoik— Meiiiltcrs of the Expedition— Larapiiita Land— Diffieulties of Travel and Nature of Camels- 

 Departure from Adelaide and Arrival at Ooduadatta— Departure from Ood n ad atta— Loading' and Riding 

 Camels— Daily Proijranmie while on the March -The llain Sections of the Journey— The Australian 

 Steppes. 



My object in writing the following narrative is to give some idea of the nature 

 of the country through which the Expedition passed and also of the work 

 accomplished. To do this I have availed myself of the information contained in 

 the various scientific reports, and take this opportunity of expressing my obliga- 

 tions to the various writers from whose work I have gained information of which 

 use is made in the following pages. To my colleagues on the Expedition I am 

 especially indebted, not only for the use which I have freely made of their 

 writings, but for much information afforded to me during the course of the 

 Expedition. To how great an extent I am indebted to them will easily be seen 

 by reference to the scientific reports. 



My endeavour has been, without entering into too great scientific detail, to 

 summarise in a more or less popular form the results obtained in the various 

 branches of science, and to convey to the reader who has not travelled in Central 

 Australia some idea of what the country is like. By those who are acquainted 

 with the writings of the explorers of Central Australi.i, such as Sturt, .Stuart, 



*i 



