o bitter criminations between
members, which would certainly have resulted in duels in most countries.
Sometimes, however, a different spirit prevails, and a spicing of fun is
introduced. On one occasion the bill of a firm of solicitors against the
Government came up for discussion. The firm name was Little & Brown, and
their account seemed to some of the members to be exorbitant. While the
question of voting the money to pay this bill was before the house,
there was also one pending for the protection of wild birds. At last a
humorous member proposed that the account of the "lawyer-bird" should be
included in the bill. His meaning was not at first apparent to the
assembly, and the presiding officer asked him to explain what this bird
was. His answer created an uproar of laughter among the members. "The
bird I refer to," he said, "is little and brown; and it has a very long
bill!"

The widespread plains of this part of Australia, so specially adapted
for sheep-runs and cattle-ranches, are largely improved for that
purpose; and it is estimated that there are over twelve millions of
sheep upon them to-day. Wool is one of the most valuable raw materials
known to commerce, and that shipped from Queensland has had a
preference, owing to its adaptability to manufacturing purposes.
Sheep-farming is here carried on upon a scale exceeding that of all
other parts of the world. Single individuals hold even larger flocks
than those of New South Wales. We have not seen an official statement of
a year's clip for the whole country since that for 1883, which gave as
the aggregate value of that year something over twenty million pounds
sterling. Besides sheep, the plains also sustain large herds of horned
cattle. One owner told us he had over fifteen thousand cattle on his
ranch, and that some of his neighbors had a still larger number.

The coast portion of Queensland is the most desirable of all the colony.
It is well wooded, and the climate is equable. The entire shore is
studded with picturesque islands and has numerous excellent harbors. The
three summer months--December, January, and February--are hot; but as
plenty of rain falls at this season, tropical moisture and heat are
agreeably combined. Cool southerly winds also prevail during this
season, so that it is rarely oppressively hot. The famous Great Barrier
Reef of Australia belongs entirely to this province, and is twelve
hundred miles in length, extending along the coast fr