REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE HORN SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION TO CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

IT is becoming quite the fashion, we are glad to say, nowadays for private individuals who possess the necessary means, to send out scientific expeditions at their own cost. This laudable practice has long been prevalent in the United States, where, many years ago, the expense of Louis Agassiz’s journey to South America was borne by a friend interested in science. In England we have at present the “Jackson-Harmsworth Expedition” to Franz-Josef Land generously sustained by Mr. Harmsworth; and other examples of similar munificence are well known. Our more advanced colonies are now following these excellent precedents, and the entire cost of the successful expedition into Central Australia, of which some of the results are now before us, has been borne by Mr. William Austin Horn, of Adelaide, who, we believe, also devised the plan of it. But not only was the plan Australian and the means to carry it out provided in Australia, but the members of the expedition were Australian, the results have been worked out in Australia by Australians, and the reports on the results printed, illustrated, and published in Australia. Australia may therefore be well proud of the Horn Expedition, and thankful to Mr. Horn for having projected it and carried it out.Report on the Work of the Horn Scientific Expedition to Central Australia.Part ii. Zoology. 4to, pp. 431, plates 29. (London: Dulau. Melbourne: Melville, 1896.)