158 
CAPT. king’s opinions. 
Mount Harris ; nay, had he proceeded eight miles in the 
above direction beyond the actual spot from which he turned 
back, he would have formed other and very different opi- 
nions of the probable character of the distant interior. But 
I am aware that Mr. Oxley performed all that enterprise, 
and perseverance, and talent could have performed, and 
that it would have been impracticable in him to have at- 
tempted to force its marshes in the state in which he found 
them. It was from his want of knowledge of their nature 
and extent, that he inferred the swampy and inhospitable 
character of the more remote country, a state in which sub- 
sequent investigation has found it not to be. The marsh of 
the Macquarie is nothing more than an ordinary marsh or 
swamp in another country. However large a space it covers, 
it is no more than a concavity or basin for the reception of 
the waters of the river itself, nor has it any influence what- 
ever on the country to the westward of it, in respect to in- 
undation ; the general features of the latter being a regu- 
lar alternation of plain and brush. These facts are in them- 
selves sufficient to give a fresh interest to the interior of 
the Australian continent, and to increase its importance. 
With respect to that part of its coast at which the rivers 
falling from the eastern mountains, discharge themselves, 
it is a question of very great doubt. It seems that Capt. 
King, in consequence of some peculiarities in the currents 
at its N. W. angle, supports Mr. Cunningham’s opinion as 
to their probable discharge in that quarter. But I fear the 
internal structure of the continent is so low, as to preclude 
