s,
had the early seekers for pastoral country but known what was west of
the so-called desert country, and south of the Flinders. This could only
be learnt by forcing a way through the desert to the west instead of
skirting its edge and going north. As it was, we, in following the
Flinders down, were traversing some of the finest sheep country in the
world, and did not realise there were millions of acres lying to the
south, unknown, unowned. Ultimately, settlement of the west was affected
more from Rockhampton than from northern ports; extending as it did from
Springsure towards Tambo, Blackall, and thence north and north-west.

It seems, however, the irony of fate that Townsville, which did little
or nothing towards the exploration or development of the country south
from the Flinders, has obtained the trade of that portion of Queensland.
But this is anticipating.

Mr. J. F. Barry, who first took up the country on the head of the
Western River, was laughed at by residents of Blackall, when he rode in
to have his application registered, and described the country. So that
it might be recorded that his statements as to its quality would prove
correct, he called the country "Vindex," by which it is now known as one
of the finest sheep properties in Queensland.

But let me quote from "_The Polar and Tropical Worlds_," written by two
scientists, one apparently a German, the other designated "Scientific
Editor of the American Cyclopedia." The book was published in 1877,
eleven years or more after the north-western country was becoming
occupied.

In alluding to the great deserts of the world, these authorities
say:--"Perhaps the most absolute desert tract on the face of the globe
is that which occupies the interior of the great island, or as it may
not improperly be styled, 'Continent of Australia.'

"The island has an area of something more than 3,000,000 of square
miles, nearly equal in extent to Europe.

"For the greater part of its circumference, it is bounded by a
continuous range of mountains or highlands, nowhere rising to a
great height, and for long distances, consisting of plateaus or
tablelands.

"There is, however, a continuous range of water-shed, which is
never broken through, and which never recedes any great distance
from the Coast.

"The habitable portions of Australia are limited to the slopes of
the mountains, and the narrow space between them and the sea. The
interior, as far as is known, or as