MAGAZINE OF SCIENCE AND ART. 
233 
eastern parts of the-continent. They run at no 
Very great distance from the sea. Near their 
sources they are mountain torrents, hut in the 
lowlands they become generally streams, with 
with slow currents wending through fertile and 
extensive valleys or plains, which are subject to 
sudden and terrific inundations.” 
Tlie western coast, though more barren, pre¬ 
sents the same peculiarities as the north-west: 
in fact, with the exception of the great 
Australian bight, on the southern side of the 
continent, which, according to Mr. Eyre, is not 
for 1500 miles intersected by a single water¬ 
course, the whole of the coasts of Australia are, 
there is every reason to suppose, backed by 
ranges of moderate height, which throw down 
waters into the sea on the one side, and into the 
interior on the other. As already pointed out. 
we know what becomes of the inner waters of 
the east coast range—they belong to the system 
of the Murray and the Victoria—but we do not 
know what becomes of the inner waters of the 
northern, the western, and the southern coast 
ranges, whether they are absorbed by a desert, or 
whether they belong to some Caspian. Let the 
imagination loose ever so little, it is easy to con¬ 
jure up the existence of some extensive and 
fertile country, far fo the west of Sturt’s 
furthest point, bordering a Caspian, and re¬ 
ceiving the waters of about 3000 miles ol coast 
range. Or if, according to the theory of Mr. 
Eyre, in which he has great faith, we imagine 
the interior to consist of salt lakes, or swamps, 
alternating with sandy deserts, and, at intervals, 
isolated ranges, it is very possible that among 
these ranges tracts of a better, and even of a 
rich and fertile country might be met with. 
It is, however, to be apprehended that instead 
of these bright pictures the whole interior may 
he a desert, and if so one of the largest deserts in 
the world. Now, although it would not profit 
ns much to t e assured of this, still it is im¬ 
portant in a scientific point of view that wo 
should know rvhat is the character of such a 
vast extent of unexplored country. 
Having shewn how great a blank there is in 
the geography of Australia, I would suggest 
that were the subject again brought under the 
notice of the Geographical Society of London, 
and so of the Home authorities, sufficient means 
would no doubt be forthcoming for a grand ex¬ 
pedition ; and I shall now proceed to lay before 
you my views on that subject-. 
The exploration of Australia can never, in 
my opinion, be satisfactorily accomplished by 
any expedition to he commenced by sea,—nor 
yet by any individual exertions,—nor even by 
any small body of adventurers;—the mishaps 
and misfortunes that have already befallen the 
greater number of such expeditions, bear me out 
in my opinion; all that is recpiired is one great 
and well organised expedition,—an expedition 
so well found that there should be nothing to 
contend with but the want of water. 
The course such an expedition should take, is 
similar to that which was contemplated by the 
unfortunate and much lamented Leichardt— 
namely, to cross the continent from east to west 
that is, from Moreton Bay, to Swan River: hut 
Leichardt’s intention was to skirt the desert, 
and he would then have been always distressed 
for water,—whereas I contend that the track 
should bo along the inner sides of the coast 
ranges. From what I have said of the geography 
of the northern and western coasts, as gathered 
from the charts and writings of various travellers 
it will, T think, appear that it Would be very 
possible so to follow the interior slopes of the 
ranges, as to secure a supply of water, for as it is 
known that fresh water is found falling into the 
sea, and into the salt water inlets, along the 
whole of the northern and western coasts, so it 
must ho that there are corresponding waters 
falling into the inteiior, and that if an expe¬ 
dition kept close enough to the ranges, water 
would always be procured, whilst the travelling 
would he far less difficult than on the coast side, 
because the inner side of the ranges, as far as we 
arc acquainted with them, slope gradually to the 
plains, and wo have a rignt to argue from 
analogy that the same peculiarity may he pre¬ 
sented along the whole of them. It would be 
the principal duty of the conductor of an expe¬ 
dition to know that, in case of retreat, he 
could for a certainty fall hack upon witter and 
grass; with thri assurance he might go on and 
on, unless indeed, which is scarcely possible, 
some wide barren track connected with the 
desert, and scant of water and grass, should 
present a barrier to his progress. Under these 
oi other unforeseen circumstances, it might be¬ 
come his duty to retreat; but a certain amount 
of geographical knowledge would still have been 
obtained—namely, that the communication be¬ 
tween the cast and west-could not he carried 
out overland. 
Having regard to the foregoing considerations 
as to water and grass, the party should consist 
of 50 or 100 men, taking with them of course 
drays and packs loaded with all necessaries, hut 
the great resource should be, to drive before 
them thousands of sheep and cattle, so that they 
could experience no want of the means of ex¬ 
istence, even if their other provisions should 
fail. Such a contingency could, however, be 
easily guarded agaiust, by proper calculation. 
Supposing that the expedition travelled 5 miles 
a day, the distance being about 8000 miles, the 
journey would occupy some two years, and there 
would he plenty of time for a survey of the 
whole route, and for full examination of vege¬ 
table and animal life; whilst by the aid of pho¬ 
tography, representations of every object and of 
every scene could lie procured ; nor must it he 
forgotten, now that it is found, the natives can 
he disciplined, and made to act as an armed 
police force, that any future exploring party 
would derive great advantage from their assist¬ 
ance. Tile difficulties which would arise, in 
providing for the wants of such a large party, 
appear formidable, hut were it even required to 
move a small army across the continent, such 
difficulties would not, T apprehend, be allowed 
to stand in the way. Nor, as regards water, 
would such a march lie declared impossible, 
through a country where the presence of the 
aborigines proves that water is to be fonnd. 
No doubt such an expedition would demand a 
great outlay, but it would accomplish almost all 
that we require.. In Asia and in Africa, for 
onvious reasons, the only way is to travel alone, 
or in very small parties; hut we cannot, as I 
have observed, pursue such a course in this 
country, with the prospect of success. Even an 
