THE NORTHERN INTERIOR. 
7 
tervening country between this colony and theirs, and to 
unfold the secrets hidden by those lofty, and singular cliffs 
at the head of the Great Bight, and so far, it might perhaps 
be practicable — since it is possible that a light party might, in a 
favourable season, force their way across. As regards the 
transit of stock, however, my own conviction is that it is quite 
impracticable. The vast extent of desert country to the west- 
ward — the scarcity of grass — the denseness of the scrub — and 
the all but total absence of water, even in the most favourable 
seasons, are in themselves, sufficient bars to the transit of stock, 
even to a distance we are already acquainted with. I would 
rather, therefore, turn the public attention to the Northward, as 
being the most probable point from which discoveries of im- 
portance may be made, or such as are likely to prove beneficial 
to this and the other colonies, and from which it is possible the 
veil may be lifted, from the still unknown and mysterious 
interior of this vast continent.” 
On the 27th I dined with His Excellency the 
Governor, and had a long conversation with him 
on the subject of the proposed Western Expedition, 
and on the exploration of the Northern Interior. 
With his usual anxiety to promote any object which 
he thought likely to benefit the colony, and advance 
the cause of science, His Excellency expressed 
great interest in the examination of the Northern 
Interior, and a desire that an attempt should be 
made to penetrate its recesses during the ensuing 
season. 
As I had been the means of diverting public 
attention from a Western to a Northern exploration, 
so was I willing to encounter myself the risks and 
toils of the undertaking I had suggested, and I 
