the task; nor can I refuse myself the anticipation
that the perusal of these volumes will excite your Lordship's interest
and sympathy. I have the honour to be,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's
Most obedient humble servant,
CHARLES STURT.

London, November 21,1848.

NOTICE.

It might have been expected that many specimens, both of Botany and
Ornithology, would have been collected during such an Expedition as that
which the present narrative describes, but the contrary happened to be
the case.

I am proud in having to record the name of my esteemed friend, Mr. Brown,
the companion of Flinders, and the learned author of the "Prodromus Novae
Hollandiae," to whose kindness I am indebted for the Botanical Remarks
in the Appendix.

To my warm-hearted friend, Mr. Gould, whose splendid works are before the
Public, and whose ardent pursuits in furtherance of his ambition, I have
personally witnessed, I owe the more perfect form in which my
ornithological notice appears.

I have likewise to acknowledge, with very sincere feelings, the assistance
I have received from Mr. Arrowsmith, in the construction of my Map,
to whose anxious desire to ensure correctness and professional talent I am
very greatly indebted.

I hope the gentlemen whose names I have mentioned will accept my best
thanks for the assistance they have afforded me in my humble labours. It
is not the least of the gratifications enjoyed by those who are employed
on services similar to which I have been engaged, to be brought more
immediately in connection with such men.

London, November 21, 1848.

CONTENTS

VOLUME I.

CHAPTER I CHARACTER OF THE AUSTRALIAN CONTINENT--OF ITS RIVERS--
PECULIARITY OF THE DARLING--SUDDEN FLOODS TO WHICH IT IS
SUBJECT--CHARACTER OF THE MURRAY--ITS PERIODICAL RISE--BOUNTY
OF PROVIDENCE--GEOLOGICAL POSITION OF THE TWO RIVERS--
OBSERVATIONS--RESULTS--SIR THOMAS MITCHELL'S JOURNEY TO THE
DARLING--ITS JUNCTION WITH THE MURRAY--ANECDOTE OF
MR. SHANNON--CAPTAIN GREY'S EXPEDITION--CAPTAIN STURT'S
JOURNEY--MR. EYRE'S SECOND EXPEDITION--VOYAGE OF THE
BEAGLE--MR. OXLEY'S OPINIONS--STATE OF THE INTERIOR IN 1828--
CHARACTER OF ITS PLAINS AND RIVERS--JUNCTION OF THE
DARLING--FOSSIL BED OF THE MURRAY--FORMER STATE OF THE
CONTINENT--THEORY OF THE INTERIOR.

CHAPTER II PREPARAT