1 6 The Australasian Scientific Magazine. [August i, 1885. 
traveller should carefully remark their connexion with the other hydro- 
graphical characters of the district. Whether they constitute the source of 
rivers, or are their ultimate recipients? Whether they are or are not 
connected with the ocean or other great seas ; their levels with regard to the 
ocean, particularly when at a lower level ; what rivers flow into or out of 
them, and whether they contain fresh or salt water. 
I cannot here do better than quote the following remarks from 
Colonel J. J. Jackson's work, “What to Observe," (London, 1841), 
who says : — “ With regard to lakes in general, the observations to be 
made upon them may be comprehended under the following heads : — 
“ Name ; geographical and topographical situation, height above the 
level of the sea, and as compared to the other neighbouring lakes; 
subterranean communication ; form, length, breadth, circumference, 
surface, and depth ; nature of the bed and of the borders ; the 
transparency, colour, temperature, and quality of the water ; the affluent 
streams and springs ; the outlets, the currents ; the climate, soil, and 
vegetation of the basins ; the height and nature of the surrounding 
hills, when there are any ; the prevailing winds ; the mean ratio of evapo- 
ration compared with the quantity of water supplied ; and any particular 
phenomena ; the navigation and fisheries of the lake ; formation and 
dessiccation of lakes.” This latter point, depending as it mainly does, on 
the elevation, or subsidence of the country, may indeed be said 
almost to belong to the kindred science of geology ; and yet it bears so 
immediately on the physical configuration and geographical features of the 
country, that it may fairly be mentioned in this place. 
Connected with the question of lakes are the scarcely less important 
features of lagoons and marshes, and smaller hollows called ponds ; the 
extent of these marshes and lagoons should be ascertained, also whether 
connected with the sea or not, and what portions of them become dry 
and passable during the summer or other periods of the year. Peat bogs, 
in many cases the remains of former lakes, may also be classed amongst 
these features, and their extent and depth and qualities should be ascer- 
tained. 
6. Line of Coast. — This may be indeed said to be the peculiar province 
of the nautical explorer; but as forming one of the chief boundaries of 
those great geographical subdivisions, the details of which we have here 
alluded to, we must not omit a brief allusion to some of its most important 
features. And, first, with regard to the actual line of coast itself, the 
traveller should remark the various headlands jutting out into the sea, as 
well as the deep bays and recesses running up into the land, and affording 
refuge from the dangers occasioned by the neighbouring headlands ; all 
gaps and breaks in the continuity of hills and cliffs, or mountain ranges, the 
occurrence and nature of rivers, and streams emptying themselves into the 
sea, and character and extent of their mouths, the nature of detritus and 
alluvial matter brought down by them, and whether or not deltas are found 
near their mouths. In another aspect he should inform us whether the 
coast is bold or flat, whether formed by cliffs or by sloping plains ; and 
whether the rivers enter into the sea by one or by numerous channels ; 
whether the coast is clear from danger, or whether the sunken rocks and 
reefs render more than usual precaution necessary in approaching it; 
whether the sea deepens gradually or suddenly ; and whether there are any 
extensive shoals or sand-banks. Soundings may also be given when 
practicable, as well as the nature and colour of the sand, clay, or other 
substances brought up from the bottom of the lead. Do these appear to 
