Thirdly. I Infer The Non-Existence Of An Inland Sea, From The Coincidence Observable In The Physical Appearance, Customs, Character, And Pursuits Of The Aborigines At Opposite Points Of The Continent, Whilst No Such Coincidence Exists Along The Intervening Lines Of Coast Connecting Those Points.

With respect to the first consideration, it is unnecessary to add further remark; as regards the second, I may

State, that although I may sometimes not have met with natives at those precise spots which might have been best suited for making inquiry, or although I may sometimes have had a difficulty in explaining myself to, or in understanding a people whose language I did not comprehend; yet such has not always been the case, and on many occasions I have had intercourse with natives at favourable positions, and have been able, quite intelligibly, to carry on any inquiries. One of these opportunities occurred in the very neighbourhood of the hill from which Mr. Poole is said to have seen the inland sea, as described in Captain Sturt's despatch.

There are several reasons for supposing Mr. Poole to have been deceived in forming an opinion of the objects which he saw before him from that elevation: first, I know, from experience, the extraordinary and deceptive appearances that are produced in such a country as Mr. Poole was in, by mirage and refration combined. I have often myself been very similarly deceived by the semblance of hills, islands, and water, where none such existed in reality.

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