But even admitting these peculiarities of season, of FAUNA and of flora
it may be asked, How is it that the people of Australia have never
adapted themselves to their climatic surroundings? The answer, or
rather answers, to such an interrogation must largely consist of
matters of opinion.  This being the case, therefore, I call do no more
than attempt to give my own explanation of this singular anomaly.  It
must be remembered that the one great impetus to colonisation in
Australia was the discovery of gold in 1851.  Up till that time
settlement had been proceeding steadily, it is true.  Indeed, one may go
80 far as to say that the development of the country was progressing,
although slowly, on safe and natural lines.  But the announcement of the
finding of gold, which was continually being corroborated by successive
reports, acted as an electric stimulus throughout the whole civilized
world.  As a consequence shipload after shipload of new comers flocked
to Australia, all aflame with the same ardent desire--gold.  Amongst
them were certainly many of the picked men of the earth, whose spirit
will leaven the whole of Australasia for all time to come.  Yet even at
the present day we still see the influence of this gold period at work,
in the readiness with which men are caught by any plausible mining
prospectus.  They have only to be told that a company is being formed to