[Note 37 At End Of Para.] I Believe That The Idea Of Attempting To Deduce The Character Of The Continent, And The Most Probable Line For Crossing It, From The Circumstances And Habits Of The Natives Inhabiting The Coast Line Is Quite A Novel One.

It appears to me, however, to be worth consideration; and if it is true that the natives have all

One common origin, and have spread over the continent from one first point, I think it may reasonably be inferred that there is a practicable route across the centre of New Holland, and that this line lies between the 125th and 135th degrees of east longitude. It further appears that there must still be a second route, other than the coast line, in the direction between Port Jackson in New South Wales and the south-east corner of the Gulf of Carpentaria on the north coast.

[Note 37: Vide Chapter VII. of Notes on the Aborigines, where this subject will be found fully discussed, and the reasons given for supposing the conclusions here assumed.]

If then we have reasonable grounds for believing that such lines of route actually do exist, it becomes a matter of much interest and importance to determine the most favourable point from which to explore them. My own experience has pointed out the dreadful nature of the southern coast, and the very great and almost insuperable difficulties that beset the traveller at the very commencement - in his efforts even to establish a single depot from which to enter upon his researches.

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