The higher country between the Murray River and the ranges which form the watershed between it and the Gulf of St. Vincent, is rather hilly near the bend of the river, and overgrown with light woods; it appears to be adapted for sheep-walks. The whole district between the Gulf of St. Vincent and the river Murray is generally computed to be one-third part barren, another third covered with forest or scrub, and the remaining third available for tillage or pasture. The country between the Murray and the eastern boundary of the province is generally barren.
At the sea-mouth of the Murray begins a narrow arm of the aca, which extends south-eastward along the shores, and parallel to them for more than 100 miles. It is called Coorong, and is separated from the open sea by a narrow strip of land covered with saud-downs of moderato elevation. At the back of the northern half of the Coorong is a belt of grassy hills overgrown with casuarina, and divided by plains of some extent with a good soil ; fresh water is found at a depth underground rarely exceeding six feet. At the back of the southern half of the Coorong is a succession of salt-swamps and low shrubby hills. A low range, called the Wambat range, runs for 20 miles parallel to the Coorong at a distance of about 3 miles.
The Coorong terminates near 36° 30' S. lat., but beyond it, in the same line, are a number of lakes, which are separated from the sea by grassy fiats. South of Cape Bernouilli, near 37° S. lat., the country consists of several ranges of wooded hills, generally running parallel to the shores, which are separated from each other by low level grounds, a great portion of which is subject to inundation ; but the soil is excellent, and in many places these flats are dry and available for pasturage or agriculture. Within a few miles of the Cape is Guichen Bay, a:convenient roadstead. In the district adjacent to the bay the grass is said to be unhealthy for sheep and young cattle.
The south-eastern portion of South Australia is one of the richest in the colony. A line drawn from Rivoli Bay, nearly duo east to the boundary-line, divides it from the desert, which is farther north. Near the sea-shore low narrow ranges of wooded hills alternate with grassy plains and a few swamps. In approaching the higher country plains of considerable extent occur, which are covered with luxuriant forests. They extend to the foot of Burr range, a mountain tract divided into several ridges, which cover a great extent of surface, and are pretty well wooded. The highest point of this range rises to about 1000 feet above the sea. Between this range and the isolated mountains called Mount Gambier and Mount Schenk, lies a well wooded tract with largo timber-trees and an excellent soil. The two last-mentioned summits are of volcanic origin. Tho soil of this region is of the richest description, being mostly of a black-brown loam, and the vegetation luxuriant. The value of this country for settlers is increased by having a good and safe harbour in Rivoli Bay.
Kangaroo Island, which lies before the entrance of the Gulf of St. Vincent, is 100 miles long from east to west, and on an average. about 20 miles wide, which gives an area of 2000 square miles. It rises gradually from the sea, and doca not attain a great elevation, the interior being occupied by extensive plains. Close to the shore, within a quarter to half a mile from the sea, it is covered with a thick forest; iu the interior the country is open, and contains numerous ponds. Near the shore are lagoons, which are generally filled with
fresh water, but some are salt. On the shore of Nepean Bay is a salt lagoon, on the banks of which large masses of crystalliied salt are found. Nearly the whole of the island is available for agriculture or pasturage. In Nepcan Bay, on the north-eastern shore, vessels may rids in perfect security during the western gales. On Cape its south-eastern extremity, is a lighthouse called Sturt Light.
Although the greater part of the territory of South Australia is unproductive, there are many good tracts of land. The richeat por tions of the colony are the Mount Gambier district, the Mount Barker valleys, the Inman valley near Encounter Bay, the neighbourhood of Rapid Bay, the Willonga and Aldinga plains south of Adelaide, the Adelaide plains, Morphett vale, Lynedoch valley, and the Barossa and Angas lands.
The climate of South Australia is one of the finest in the world, resembling that of the south of Italy. The atmosphere is generally clear and elastic, and the sky remarkable for the variety and bril liancy of its colours. There are no prevalent diseases. On entering the country some are attacked with dysentery, which with a little care may be avoided. Adelaide has been occasionally visited with influenza; and at particular seasons there are some cases of ophthalmia, which is rather a swelling of the eyelids, caused by a small msect. The seasons are divided into dry and wet. The dry season begins at the end of August and continues to the end of March. In December and January, corresponding in temperature to our June and July, the heat is very great, and the ground so arid that the least breeze raises clouds of dust. Occasionally in summer a hot wind from the north blows over the plains, and compels all to seek shelter from the close and dusty atmosphere ; but it seldom lasts many hours before it is succeeded by a cooling breeze from the south-west. The thermometer ranges as high as 115' Fehr. Its highest range in 1852 was 105'; • its lowest, 44°; the average was 67°. The temperature is subject to sudden and very extraordinary changes ; but these do not in general affect the health injuriously, neither do they occasion much incon venience. During the wet season, from the end of March to August, it rains frequently and sometimes very heavily. During this period the earth is covered with the richest verdure, and the weather is so genial that the approach of summer is scarcely perceptible. In summer the grass is speedily parched, and frequently becomes so dry as to break when trampled on • but the ground is as rapidly clothed with fresh pasture by the showers which fall at no great intervals. The long droughts, with which New South Wales is periodically visited, are not known in the settled parts of South Australia. During the rainy season the wind blows from the west or south-west, and frequently in hard gales. In the dry season northern and north-eastern winds prevaiL No fall of snow has been experienced, and in the Mount Barker district, the coldest part of the colony, the frost has only In rare instances been of such force as to form a thin crust of ice. The lowest temperature for the year is about 37'.