L I S T OF PRINCIPAL WORKS CONSULTED.
Allen, James—ffl'siory of Axistralia.
Bennett, Samuel—Sùlory of Auatralinn Dkrovery and Colonizaiion.
Clarke, Hev. W. B . — o n the Sedimentary Formations of New
South Wales.
Collins, William—Jjiieniaiionni Alias and Oiograpky.
Cook, Captain—Voyages of Captain Cook.
Forrest, HOB. John, C.M.G-.—IFOIES OII IRESIERN Australia.
Gordon aud Goteli—Australian Eandhook, 1883.
Gould, John, F.K.S., &c.,—Bird^ ofAwlralia.
Grenlle, Edward—Feor Bonk of Awtralia, 1385.
Guilfoyle, W. R,, F . L . S . — S U a n y .
Hayter, H. H., C.M.G,, &o.— Vletorian Feor Book, various years.
Krefft, Gerard, F.L.S.—AnstniUan Vet-tel^atu—Fossil and Recent.
Krefft, Gerard, F.L.S.—Mammals of Awlralin.
Lyne, Charles—/»rfiMr/rw« of Neu; South ir«/ei.
Nilson, &..—Timber Trees of New Soidh Wale^.
Pugh's Quíínsland Almanac.
Hoyal Society of New Soutli Wales—ProceetZinj» for Variolis Years.
Russell, H. 0-, B.A., F.B..k.S.—Physical Geography and Climale of
Nf.w South Wales.
Suiyth, 1?. Brougli—Ahorigiues of Victoria.
Stow, J, V.—Eiitory, Productions, and Natural Eesource.9 of South
Australia.
Sturt—Central Aitslralia.
Tenisoa-Woods, Hev, J, E., F.G.S., F.L.S.—Ji'iVt and Fisheries of
New So^dh Wales.
Wallace, A. B., F.R.G.S.-4uí¿ra/nyia.
Wilkius, W.—Geography of New South Wales.
Wools, W., Ph. D., F.h.S.—Plants Indigenous in the Neighbourhood
Worsiiop, Thomas—Jíú^ory of the City of Adelaide.
P R E F A C E .
" " p H E recent rapid development of the Colonies of Australia, and the increasing importance
assumed in relation to the British Nation and the great commercial centres of the
w o r l d , have induced the Publisher to place before the Public an A T L A S OF AUSTRALIA,
fully up to' the latest date, and containing authentic information on all matters of a
geographical character, pertaining to the great Island-continent of the Southern Hemisphere.
T h e absence of a work of this class first suggested the desirability of producing a literary
compilation that woul d recommend itself as a comprehensive reference, not onl y to Australians,
but to other communities interested in the commerce and growing trade of the Colonies.
L i t t l e claim can be made to originality, as the Editor willingly acknowledges his indebtedness
to the various scientists and others who have treated on Australia at different
times. An endeavour has, however, been made to impart variety and interest to a
subject, generally regarded by readers of light literature as dry. The descriptions have been
compiled in a popular form, in order to attract the attention of those who aim to become
w e l l - i n f o r m e d on all Colonial matters. Statistics, so far as possible, have been reduced to
tables. Minute details, often only of interest to a few, have been avoided, and an attempt
made to keep to outlines, in order to stimulate research, and induce further study. It will be
at once acknowledged, that almost every branch of the subject could be amplified into a
separate volume; the question, therefore, how to deal fully and satisfactorily with each part,
w i t h o u t disturbing the general balance of the whole, and giving undue prominence to one
section at the expense of an equally important one, frequently arose for consideration.
One of the principal aims of the Editor has been to collect all facts of a
geographical character in regard to Australia, current in the various Reports, and other
literature of an ephemeral character, and, together with the results of his own experience,
mould them into a form acceptable to the reading public, many of w h o m lack the time and
opportunity to wade through columns of figures, and cull the valuable from the large mass
of extraneous matter. In this task great assistance has been rendered by the various
Government Departments to which the custody and compilation of the different classes of
facts have been entrusted. The best thanks of the Publisher are due to the Departments
of Lands and Survey, in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia, for
their generous aid in regard to the production of maps of those Colonies. To the Government
Statist of Victoria, for his concise tables, the information embodied in which has been largely
d r a w n upon, considerable obligation is acknowledged. The Publisher also wishes to thank,
in particular, the Statistical Department of South Australia, for the aid received from its
condensed and valuable returns.
It would be impossible, within the limits of a preface, to mention all the various
sources from which information has been obtained, A list of the principal works consulted
is appended hereto.
R O B E R T McLEAN.
Sydney,
December, :
i