DIMENSIONS OF AUSTRALIA--MOUNT KOSCIUSKO--THE MURRAY RIVER SYSTEM--WIND LAWS--THE HOT WIND--INTENSE HEAT PERIODS--THE EARLY EXPLORERS--STURT'S EXPERIENCE--BLACKS AND BUSH FIRES--DROUGHTS--UNEXPLORED AUSTRALIA. 17-26 _Illustrations_: The Giant Gum-tree 18 Railroad through the Gippsland Forest 19 Junction of Murray and Darling Rivers 20 The National Museum, Melbourne 26 CHAPTER III. THE AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE. AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRACIES--THE FEDERAL MOVEMENT--IMMIGRATION--CURRENT WAGES--COST OF LIVING--ABSENCE OF AN ESTABLISHED CHURCH--RELIGION IN THE RURAL DISTRICTS--A TYPICAL SERVICE--SUNDAY OBSERVANCE--MISSION WORK--CHURCH BUILDING. 27-34 _Illustrations_: Statue of Prince Albert in Sydney 28 The Bower-Bird 29 The Independent Church, Collins Street, Melbourne 33 SECTION II.--BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE COLONIES. CHAPTER IV. VICTORIA. PORT PHILLIP--EARLY SETTLEMENT AND ABANDONMENT--THE PIONEERS HENTY, BATMAN AND FAWKNER--SIZE OF VICTORIA--MELBOURNE--ITS APPEARANCE--PUBLIC BUILDINGS--STREETS--RESERVES--PRIDE OF ITS PEOPLE--UNEARNED INCREMENT--SANDHURST--BALLARAT--THE CAPITAL OF THE INTERIOR--GEELONG--THE WESTERN DISTRICT--VIEW OF THE LAKES--PORTLAND--THE WHEAT PLAINS--SHEPPERTON--THE MALLEE--GIPPSLAND--MOUNTAIN RANGES--SCHOOL SYSTEM--COBB'S COACHES--FACTS AND FIGURES. 35-72 _Illustrations_: