1868.] 



Exploration of Central Australia. 



359 



fore the country between Stuart's and Burke's track must be well examined 

 with a view to find traces of the party. Although it may at first sight 

 appear difficult to conceive that Stuart could have passed six times through 

 the country which Leichhardt most probably crossed on his way to the 

 west without observing any trail or mark of the latter's course, neverthe- 

 less there is no improbability in such being the case ; and unremitting zeal 

 should be displayed throughout the v/hole expedition in endeavouring to 

 lift the veil from off this sad tragedy. Should the expedition fail in finding 

 the remains of the party in the east, they will have to search for them in 

 the west and south-west extremity of the continent. 



An expedition through the vast interior of Australia, with such an ex- 

 tended scheme of operations and so many important matters to attend to, 

 should be organized on such a base as to give full guarantees for being able 

 to accomplish its main objects, as well as to protect itself against attacks 

 of the aboriginals and the destructive effects of unforeseen misfortunes. It 

 is therefore proposed that the expedition should number twenty-five men. 

 The following is the plan showing how the exploring expedition proper is 

 to be composed : — 



Leader, assistant leader, storekeeper and overseer, saddler and tent- 

 maker, blacksmith and w^heelwright, twelve stockmen, and three abo- 

 riginals. To these are to be added the following scientific men of the 

 party: — 1. Geologist and mineralogist; 2. Botanist and chief medical 

 officer; 3. Zoologist, palaeontologist, and medical assistant; 4. Artist, 

 photographer, and custos of collections ; 5. Assistant for physical science 

 and observer. 



"With reference to the organization of the party, so as to ensure a satis- 

 factory cooperation of all concerned, it is proposed to adhere to the follow- 

 ing principles : — • 



1 . The scientific members of the expedition, with the exception of the 

 leader and the assistant leader, do not form part of the exploring party 

 proper, but are under the leader's supervision, and may be employed as 

 may appear to him desirable for the advancement of the objects of the 

 expedition. 



2. The exploring party proper consists of the leader as first officer, the 

 assistant leader second officer, and the overseer third officer, two artisans, 

 twelve stockmen, and three aboriginals. 



3. The exploring party proper is to be divided into three bodies of 

 men : — 



a. Dejiot party . — Storekeeper and overseer, saddler and tent-maker, 

 three men, and an aboriginal. To this party the assistant observer 

 is to be attached. 



h. Field Party I. — Leader, blacksmith, four men, and an aboriginal. 

 To this party any of the scientific men may be attached as best 

 answering the purpose, care being, however, taken that one of 

 the medical men be included among them. 



