268 THE PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF AUSTRALIA. 



tendency to increase rather than diminish. Many of the old troubles 

 associated with early pioneer colonization have partially or almost 

 wholly disappeared with the advance of settlement, and many localities 

 that were formerly considered unhealthy are not so now, and Euro- 

 peans of temperate habit can live in tropical Australia in the enjoy- 

 ment of very good health with little discomfort. It should, however, 

 be borne in mind that a tropical climate is never salubrious, except on 

 elevated positions. 



Within the temperate zone the climate varies greatly with the lati- 

 tude, and it is, moreover, governed very much by extent of elevation 

 and other local configuration of physical conditions. In the southern 

 and southeastern portion of the continent the climate is cool and 

 remarkably healthy throughout the year, except two or three months 

 of the summer, when the temperature is abnormally high and hot winds 

 more or less prevalent. Along the seaboard of this division the atmos- 

 phere is rarely free from moisture, and this element of discomfort is 

 experienced more keenly on the low-lying and deltaic lands of river 

 valleys, where the alluvial soils absorb and retain a larger percentage 

 of the rainfall than on the neighboring undulating tracts of country 

 where a good natural drainage exists. On the tablelands of the New 

 England, Monaro, and other districts the climate is at all times salubri- 

 ous; and in the upland mountain regions of the southern Alpine chain, 

 the Blue Mountains, and Liverpool Eange the cold is acutely felt in 

 winter, and during the summer months the atmosphere is sharp and 

 bracing. In the great central basin of the continent the atmosphere is 

 dry and intensely hot; there is little or no rainfall, and most of that 

 part of the country is a vast, arid desert, altogether uninhabitable. 

 The western plains of New South Wales are remarkably fertile for 

 grazing purposes, notwithstanding the scanty rainfall, and with a good 

 supply of artesian water the soil is eminently suitable for agriculture. 

 The Eiverina climate is famous for its healthfulness, especially for 

 those with weak chests, the atmosphere being exceedingly dry and the 

 temperature uniformly high. In Queensland the Darling Downs and 

 western districts possess the finest climate of Australia. For con- 

 sumptives and those with weak respiratory organs it is unequaled any- 

 where, and there are numerous instances on record of cures having 

 been effected in this part of the country where cases were considered 

 hopeless. In summer the atmosphere is extremely dry and hot, but 

 never oppressive. The winter mouths are delightfully cool and bracing — 

 light frosts sometimes occurring, but never severe nor of long dura- 

 tion. The climate here is in all respects on a parallel with that of 

 Italy. Eor some unaccountable reason, most probably arising from 

 prejudice and ignorance combined, the climate of the East Moreton 

 district is often supposed to be uncomfortably hot and enervating. 

 That such is not the case may easily be proved by reference to the 

 records of the chief weather bureau and to the vital statistics of this 



