S S A Y. 
E 
The despatch ot the Spitfire on a survey voyage to the entrance of the Erver 
Burdekin offering an opportunity to extend our limited knowledge of the Flora of Eastern 
tropical Australia, permission was readily obtained from the enlightened Government of 
Queensland that a botanical collector could accompany the party. 
Although in such rapid surveys as the nature of the expedition invovec, 
facilities of enriching our knowledge of the natural productions of the country cannot be 
otherwise than limited, particularly when, as in this instance, a savage popu ation had t 
be encountered, yet, by the zealous exertions of Mr. Fitzalan, botanical collections were 
formed of so considerable interest, that I deemed the material sufficient for the issue o a 
special document on its elucidation. Since, moreover, a series of the plants collec e 
dur ing the expedition is deposited in one of the public institutions of Brisbane, a special 
paper of reference promised utility, whilst by the fragmentary elaboration ot such plants 
as may occasionally be collected in the unexplored portions of Australra gradu^y 
materials for a universal work on the plants of this country may be stored together 
without costly special arrangements for the purpose. 
Some of the plants brought by the expedition hold out a likelihood ot being . 
practical utility to the colonist, and such notes on their uses as suggested themselves have 
Leu inserted in the enumeration. Several species were obtained in a state too upper ec 
to admit of their systematical arrangement, whilst others are only indicated inMr.Fitsalan 
journal.^ ^ ^ mth a aboard from Cape Palmerston to the 
Bellenden Ker Ranges, being proclaimed, and Port Denison, in Edgecombe Bay, chosen 
a, the site for the new maritime township, it is likely that, through the ready access thus 
offered to the fine pastoral and salubrious country along the ever-fiowmg Burdekm and . s 
extensive tributaries, the settlements will at once extend northward to the Newcastle 
Ranee which separates, in latitude 18" S, the waters of the eastern coast from those of 
the Carpentaria Gulf, the advantage of the proximity of excellent harbors to any part o 
the Burdekin being incalculable. 4 
Whilst thus a vast tract of country will be opened for the enterprise of t > 
• pioneers of colonization, may we hope that thereby, also, the path may be smoothened to 
those who with self-sacrifice, may be the foremost of carrying the torch of scientific 
investigation into the new parts of the realm. May ere long the Geographer be enabled 
to extend the triangulation from Mount Dryander, Abbot, Elliot, Hinchmbrook and 
Bellender Ker, and to trace from these commanding heights the nvers as yet unsketched ; 
and may the Naturalist be fortunate enough, while enriching science, to open also new 
resources for internal wealth and prosperity, and for a flourishing mercantile traffic m 
North-East Australia. 
