so much so that it is like a kind of country that is often found in flat
country near a river. The land we saw today is rich and well-grassed,
seemingly as good sheep country as any I have seen. We came here in the
following courses from last camp: 12.53 south for three-quarters of a
mile; 3 east six and a half miles; 3.10 south-east half a mile; 4.50
north-east one and a half miles down the creek; 5.15 north-east and by
east one mile; 5.20 north-north-east half a mile. Total ten and a half
miles. Near last camp I made today the meridian altitude of the sun 101
degrees 46 minutes; the latitude 24 degrees 44 minutes.
April 29. Camp 59.
We left Camp 58 at 10 this morning. When we had come a few miles the grey
mare on which I rode suddenly became unwell and, lying down, in a few
minutes died. She was in good condition and one of the best of the
expedition horses, which, I may mention, have proved themselves well
fitted for the service. When we had come easterly about nine and a
quarter miles we reached the best watered and the largest-looking
watercourse we have seen for some time. When the mare died I made the
meridian altitude of the sun A.H. 101 degrees 18 minutes; the latitude is
by that observation 24 degrees 44 minutes. This nearly agrees with the
latitude I got by the observations I made on Sunday and Monday at the
57th camp, so I suppose the observations must be very nearly correct,
although I thought the first two observations when I made them were not
good ones. After reaching this watercourse we followed it up for five and
a half miles. In coming to it we passed through several narrow belts of
land, thickly wooded with western-wood acacia. The country we saw between
these belts was like the fine country I described in yesterday's journal,
the additional charm of having trees of another variety of myall. The
drooping acacia grows on it. I love these trees; their foliage is so
beautiful, and the wood when cut has a fine aromatic smell. The grain of
the wood is nearly as hard as ebony; besides it is characteristic of the
best pastoral country as it only grows on good country. Its leaves are
useful and good for stock, which are fond of eating them. We came here in
the following courses: 2.45 east for nine and a quarter miles to the
watercourse; 3.50 south for three miles up along the west bank; 4.35
south-south-east two miles; 5.10 south-east half a mile; fourteen and
three-quarter miles.
May 1. Camp 60.
We
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