nk in the one quite as
quickly as in the other. But even the lakes are gradually going the way
of all lakes. In this case, however, their disappearance is due largely
to the dust storms that little by little are burying them.

Only a very small part of the central region can be reclaimed; for where
there is so little rain there can be but little either of surface or of
ground waters. During the intensely hot summer season the smaller
streams disappear entirely and the larger ones become a succession of
stagnant pools along the dry washes.

[Illustration: A giant fig-tree, 140 feet in circumference]

The eastern part of the continent, on account of its greater extent of
coast, is far richer in resources than the central section. It contains
not only a greater proportion of land fit for grazing and cultivation,
but also very rich mines. Perhaps these have not a greater wealth of
minerals than the mines of the central section, but they are so situated
that they can be more easily worked.

The great island of Tasmania ought also to be included in the Australian
continent; for it is separated from it by a narrow and not very deep
strait. In its general features Tasmania resembles eastern Australia;
and, indeed, it is one of the most productive and delightful parts of
the world.

Of the whole Australian continent scarcely one part in fourteen is fit
for human habitation, not because the soil is lacking in elements of
fertility but because there is not enough rainfall. As a matter of fact,
the rain-bearing winds bring rain only to the eastern and southeastern
part of the continent. Any map will show that nearly all the cities,
towns, herding-grounds, and settlements are in that part of the
continent, and they are there because the rainfall is there.

The rest of Australia is like the Sahara in one respect; it is a desert.
Beyond that fact the resemblance between the two ceases; indeed, they
could scarcely be more unlike; for, while the Sahara is much like any
other desert, Australia is unlike any other part of the world.

Not very much is known about the interior because but few explorers have
been able to penetrate the continent. Many have tried to explore its
fastnesses, it is true, and many bones are bleaching in its furnace-like
desert. Even a century after the eastern part had become dotted with
settlements the interior was so little known that the government of
South Australia offered a reward of ten thousand poun