the bed of the river was still dry
and sandy; water very scarce. Slate, quartz, schist, granite, and trap
are the principal rocks, and by their decomposition do not produce a soil
favourable to vegetation, the country becoming more desolate as we
advanced. The only trees which retain their verdure are those which grow
on the banks of the river.

Latitude by a Cygni 18 degrees 40 minutes 29 seconds.

RECONNOITRE TO THE EASTWARD.

2nd October.

The river above the camp coming from the south-south-west, it appeared
desirable to pursue a more eastern course, and I therefore started from
the camp at 6.30 a.m., accompanied by Mr. H. Gregory, to reconnoitre the
country, steering east three miles over low slate hills (the strata
dipping 60 degrees to 80 degrees to south by west); ascended a hill from
which a range of hills were seen eight to ten miles to the east of a
creek rising in them and joining the river near the camp to the
east-south-east; at the head of the creek a gap in the hills showed a
more distant range of hills; steering in this direction, came to the
creek with a sandy and rocky bed ten yards wide and perfectly dry;
ascending the range of hills, found them to consist of gneiss, schist,
and slate, trap existing on the lower ridges. A large valley extended
across our course to the east, beyond which a range of flat-topped hills
or tableland bounded the horizon. Descending to the east the country
improved and granite constituted the principal rock, ironbark and a few
box-trees forming an open forest which on some of the ridges was well
grassed; the soil a red loam. At 2.0 p.m. came on a small river with a
dry sandy bed eighty yards wide; following it down to the south found a
small pool of water in a hollow in the sand; here we halted till 3.30,
and then followed the river south-west, south-east, south-west, west, and
south; at 6.10 ascended a hill on the left hand, from which we saw that
the river turned west and north-west, breaking through the hills and
joining the Gilbert River. Having ascertained that we were still on a
western watercourse, we bivouacked near the river without water.

3rd October.

At daybreak steered north-west, crossing several rocky ridges of hills,
and at 2.0 p.m. reached the camp. Nothing of importance had occurred
during our absence; the horses had improved by the two days' rest.

4th October.

At 7.15 a.m. left the camp, and, following an average east-south-east
course for se