treme kindness with which I was honoured by the Tasmanian Public; but I may be permitted to state that this testimonial became mainly instrumental in determining me to venture on this present publication of "The Physical Description of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land." This "Description," comprehending the fruits of five years of continual labour, during a tour of 7000 miles, on foot, is divided into eight sections, or parts. The first embraces the history and results of the Marine Surveys of Terra Australis, and the Land Surveys made of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land, to which countries the work refers. The second treats of Terrestrial Magnetism. The third is devoted to Geology and Mineralogy, and furnishes the elements of illustration and reference for the succeeding sections. The fourth treats of Climatology; the fifth of the fossil and existing Flora; and the sixth of the fossil and existing Fauna. In the first subdivision of each of the two last sections will be found the description, determination, and comparison of all the organic remains which afforded geological evidence as to the succession, analogy, or identity of the various formations. The seventh contains notices on the physical, moral, and social state of the Aborigines, and the causes of their decrease. And lastly, section eight, in glancing at the state of the Colonial Agriculture, exhibits what has already been done to turn to account the natural advantages of both countries; and points out what further resources are in store for the application of industry and capital on the part of the Colonists. Whether the pages which follow, clothed, as they are, in a foreign and unidiomatic English, are worthy of being laid before the British public, will remain for the reader to decide. To the objections which may be raised to errors occurring in the course of the work, and which I cannot but myself perceive, I would merely reply, Go and do better; and you will see me greet your book with a joy far surpassing the pleasure which the writing of this has given to me. I cannot refrain, on this occasion, from mentioning with grateful pleasure the ready aid and assistance which I have received, in all quarters of the globe, from the Officers of the Royal Navy; and who most hospitably received me in their ships, enabling me thus to visit many places which otherwise it would have scarcely been possible for me to have reached, and affording innumerable facilities for observation, which I could not otherwise have enjoyed. In particular, I must express myself in terms of grateful feeling to the Honourable Captain George Grey, for the warm and unwearing kindness I experienced from him during my stay on board Her Majesty's ship "Cleopatra," of nearly ten months, and this while that ship was visiting the Pacific coast of South America included between Chili and California; to Captain Russell Elliot, commanding Her Majesty's ship "Fly," and who afforded me the opportunity of visiting the Marquesas, Sandwich, and Friendly Islands; and, lastly, to Captain P. P. King, and Captain J. L. Stokes, for their steady friendship and their useful assistance during the whole of my travels and researches in Australia. Not less great obligation do I owe to Sir Henry De la Bêche, and Dr. Fitton, for the kind interest and aid with which they promoted the publication of this work; and to Messrs. J. Morris and J. Lonsdale, for the valuable description which these two gentlemen furnished of the organic remains. |