TROPICAL AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17690, 16 February 1923, Page 11

TROPICAL AUSTRALIA.

BRITISH MUSEUM EXPEDITION. CABLZ—FBESS ASSOCIATION—COPTKIOHT.) IAUSTBAIAAH AND K.Z. CABLB ASSOCIATION.) (Received February 16th, 8.20 p.m.) LONDON, February 14. Captain G. H. Wilkins, in an interview, said his expedition would be completely staffed by Australians, have its headquarters at Brisbane, and make a -complete survey of the flora found in Northern Queensland, from Roma to Torres Straits. It was important that the British Museum should obtain a comprehensive collection of specimens "of distinct types south of the "Wallace line,"., which divided Polynesian flora and fauna from the Australian. He I would probably succeed in obtaining entirely new types of fish and small mami mals. - i Captain Wilkins said the expedition would have a station on Yorke" Peninsula, where the "natives were less hostile than at other places, though, ho was recently advised' that two missionaries had been eaten by natives in this neighbourhood within the last few months. Alter investigations on the mainland, the smaller islands adjacent to the mainland would be explored for mammals whose type had undergone decided changes during their isolation from the maimand. [A previous message said: Captain G. H. Wilkins, explorer ana airman, will shortly lead an expedition to tropical Australia and the adjacent islands, under the auspices of the trustees of the British Museum. The expedition is expected to last two years, and will collect specimens of fauna and flora on the inland side of the mountains extending from Roma to Torres Strait. The party will also explore the islands off North Queensland, giving special attention to the alterations in mammalogical life created by the islands' isolation. The expedition will have • a scientific staif of five, with the necessary assistants, and Will travel to North Queensland "By caravan, thence by auxiliary schooner. Afterwards Captain Wilkins hopes to engage in further Antarctic exploration with the aid of~u long distance aeroplane and wireless.]