68 
APPHNDIX B. 
JOIN SCIUBIN INU I xP IDITTION,. 
ebVSNCANL; (Gio OGIRAPIENY. 
IE IIROVVESS OR IRAULIZE IWATE cad G2 Al, ATT, IBS. 
In dealing with the subject of the physical geography of Central Australia, 
it is necessary to mention that only a very general and brief outline will be 
given, as the space available does not permit of anything like a complete 
account. 
It will be dealt with under the following heads :— 
A.—MOUNTAINS. 
1. Macdonnell Ranges. 
2. James, Waterhouse, George Gill, and Levi Ranges. 
3. Cretaceous table-topped hills, &c. 
4. Ayers Rock and Mount Olga. 
B.—RIVERS. 
1. Finke Basin. 
(1) Nature and position of its watersheds. 
(>) Area of the Finke River Basin. 
2. Finke River. 
(2) Tributaries of the Finke. 
(>) Length and rate of fall of the Finke channel. 
(c) Nature of the course and channel of the Finke. 
(dz) Absence of surface running water. 
(ec) Waterholes. 
(f) Rainfall in its relation to surface waters. 
C.—GORGES AND GAPS. 
D.—LAKES. 
E.—CLAYPANS. 
F.—STONY PLAINS. 
G.—SANDHILLS. 
A.—MOUNTAINS. 
In the consideration of the physical geography of this country the mountain 
system should first demand our attention, as being of primary importance, for 
on it. not only does the trend of the main valleys depend, but also the size, 
number, and even the very existence of the rivers, by reason of its influence 
on the wind and rain. For the above reasons the Macdonnell Ranges form 
the most important physiographic feature of Central Australia. Were it not 
for the presence of this chain of comparatively elevated land, with its im- 
portant influence on the meteorology of the surrounding country, the greater 
part of the interior would resemble a sterile desert, which is the actual con- 
dition of portions of the stony and sandy plains after a more than usually 
prolonged drought. 
The most important mountain range within the area under consideration 
is doubtless that of the Macdonnell, which represents the much-denuded crest 
