use. It has already been mentioned, that we had not seen any westward of
Clarence Strait, neither were they in use in the bottom of the Gulf of
Carpentaria, nor on the south coast.* By the assistance of these and
similar facts, we may hereafter be enabled to discover the exact
direction in which the streams of population have flowed over the
continent. But I am not prepared to agree entirely with Mr. Eyre when he
concludes, as I have stated, from the fact of the rite of circumcision
having been found on the south and north-west coasts, and on the Gulf of
Carpentaria, that there exists any peculiar connection between the tribes
inhabiting those several points. This enterprising traveller moreover
thinks that the idea he has started goes far towards refuting the theory
of an inland sea, another presumption against which he maintains to be
the hot winds that blow from the interior.

(*Footnote. An inference may be drawn from the parts of the shore on
which canoes are in use, to show that the migrations of the natives, so
far southwards, have been along the coast. The raft they use is precisely
the same in make and size on the whole extent of the North-west coast.)

THEORY OF AN INLAND SEA.

I confess that the theory of an inland sea has long since vanished from
my mind, though I base my opinion on reasons different from those of Mr.
Eyre. The intercourse between natives of opposite sides of the continent
(though it is certainly possible) has never been established, and while
it remains hypothetical, cannot be adduced to overthrow another
hypothesis. The existence of hot winds also blowing from the interior is
not conclusive, as we had, when in the Gulf of Carpentaria, very cold
winds coming from the same direction. We know, however, that the
temperature of winds depends much on the nature of the soil over which