The Wonders of Australia.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 251, 1 September 1874, Page 7

The Wonders of Australia.

The Brisbane Courier of December 30,1873, publishes the following official telegram from Mr Walter "Hill, the Government Botanist, dated from Cardwell on the 27th, and received by the Queensland Secretary for Lands :—" Since the 20th November we have examined the banks of the Mulerave, Russell, Mossman, Daintree, and Hall rivers, and have been more or less successful in finding suitable land for sugar and semi-tropical 'production; The ascent of the summit of Ballendon Korr was successfully made by Johnstone, Hill, and eight troopers. At 2500 feec in height we observed an undescribed tree with crimson flowers, which excels the Pdinciana regia, Colvillia racemosa, Lagerstoma regiaj and the Jacaranda mimosifoiia. At 4000 feet a tree fern, which ■will'excel in grandeur all others of the Ar- | boreous class. A palm tree at the same height, which will rival any of the British-India species in gracefulness. On the banks of the Daintree we saw a palm tree cocoa, which far exceeds the unique specimen in the garden of the same genera from Brazil in grandeur and gracefulness. While cutting a given line on the banks of the river Johnstone, for the, purpose of examining the land, an enormous fig tree stood in the way, far exceeding in stoutness and grandeur the renowned forest giants of California and Victoria. Three feet from the ground it measured 150 feet in circumference; at 55 ft., where it sent forth giant branches, the stem was nearly 80ft. in circumference/' " >.••-■■