138 
CONCLUDING REMARKS. 
Thirdly. I infer the non-existence of an inland 
sea, from the coincidence observable in the physical 
appearance, customs, character, and pursuits of the 
Aborigines at opposite points of the continent, 
whilst no such coincidence exists along the interven- 
ing lines of coast connecting those points. 
With respect to the first consideration, it is un- 
necessary to add further remark ; as regards the 
second, I may state, that although I may sometimes 
not have met with natives at those precise spots 
which might have been best suited for making in- 
quiry, or although I may sometimes have had a 
difficulty in explaining myself to, or in understand- 
ing a people whose language I did not comprehend; 
yet such has not always been the case, and on many 
occasions I have had intercourse with natives at 
favourable positions, and have been able, quite in- 
telligibly, to carry on any inquiries. One of these 
opportunities occurred in the very neighbourhood 
of the hill from which Mr. Poole is said to have 
seen the inland sea, as described in Captain Sturt’s 
despatch. 
There are several reasons for supposing Mr. Poole 
to have been deceived in forming an opinion of the 
objects which he saw before him from that elevation : 
first, I know, from experience, the extraordinary 
and deceptive appearances that are produced in such 
a country as Mr. Poole was in, by mirage and re- 
fration combined. I have often myself been very 
similarly deceived by the semblance of hills, islands, 
