Miscellanea . 
3 55 
posed, according to Streleski, of an axis of eruptive or igneous 
rocks (greenish syenite, greenstone, porphyry, serpentine, &c.), 
some metamorphic rocks (quartz rocks and slate), with unques¬ 
tionable palaeozoic deposits on either flank. It still further re¬ 
sembles the Ural in altitude and in the total absence of all free 
transported blocks or boulders, all the alluvia or diluvia being 
local; but it so far differs from the Ural, and many meridian 
chains, in having as yet offered no trace of gold or auriferous 
veins. Apologising for having momentarily drawn your atten¬ 
tion to a comparison between this Australian chain, and one with 
which I am acquainted, I must refer you to the forthcoming work 
of M. de Streleski for many mineralogical and geological views, 
as well as for barometrical and meteorological observations, made 
over a very large area by that intrepid and intelligent traveller, 
entirely for the love of science, and at his own expense.* 
The point for our present consideration is, whether, when ex¬ 
plored to the north, this Australian cordillera is likely to afford 
on its western flank a sufficient quantity of water to support any 
travellers who may attempt to pass across the country which lies 
to the west of the cordillera, and so to reach the head of the 
Gulf of Carpentaria. As no great rivers are found to empty 
themselves upon the western or northern shores of this continent, 
as ascertained by the explorations of Grey, Lushington, Wick¬ 
ham, Stokes, King, &c., and as it cannot be doubted that waters 
must be thrown off inland from the eastern cordillera, the inte¬ 
resting points to determine are the true nature of the country 
which approaches to that chain on the west, and how the streams 
are absorbed or lost. Basing their opinions upon the absence of 
the mouths of great rivers upon the west, and also judging from 
the character of the country into which they have penetrated, our 
most intelligent explorers (among whom I would particularly cite 
Governor Grey) are of opinion that the chief mass of the interioi 
will be found to consist of valueless jungle, marsh, and sand 
the dessicated and slightly raised bottom of an ancient sea in 
which, deprived of good streams, and subjected to an intertro- 
* M de Streleski has nrenared a most valuable and colossal geological map of New South 
Wales and Van^cmen’^L^ml, which he cannot publish at his own expense. It is well 
worthy the patronage of the British government. 
2 C 2 
