as, the natives found nevertheless live freshwater
mussels by digging to a substratum of sand. I understood that they also
find this shell alive in the same manner, in the dry bed of the Lachlan.

(*Footnote. See Volume 1.)

(**Footnote. The third species of Psoralea before referred to (March
19th). P. cinerea, Lindley manuscripts; herbacea, incana, foliis pinnatim
trifoliolatis, foliolis dentatis punctatis ovatis acutis intermedio basi
cuneato, racemo pedunculato denso multifloro foliis triplo longiore,
bracteis minimis ovatis acuminatis, calycibus pellucide pauci-punctatis,
caule ramisque strictis.)

This lake was surrounded by yarra trees similar to those on the banks of
the river; and within them was a narrow belt of slender reeds but no
bulrushes. On the western shore lay a small beach of sand. The banks were
in height about eight feet above the ordinary water-line of the lake; and
the greatest depth in the centre was about sixteen feet below that line.
The yarra trees distinguishing the margin continued to form a dense belt
extending westward from the northern shore; and the natives informed me
that these trees surrounded a much smaller lake named Boyonga which lay,
as they pointed, immediately to the northward of it.

On ascending the bank overlooking the western shore of Waljeers we found
that it also consisted of firm red soil with high bushes of atriplex,
etc., as on the opposite side. We next traversed a plain of the same
elevation but of firmer texture than any we had seen nearer the Lachlan.
The grass upon it was also good and abundant; and we found ourselves upon
the whole in a better sort of country than we had seen for weeks; but
still water was, if possible, scarcer than ever. After travelling about
seven miles beyond Waljeers we regained the banks of the Lachlan; but I
pursued its channel about two miles without finding a drop, and we
encamped finally without having any for the animals after travelling
upwards of sixteen miles.

BARNEY IN DISGRACE.

May 7.

The grass was green and abundant and dew had fallen upon it during the
night; our cattle therefore had not fared as badly as on other nights of
privation; and were able to proceed. After we had left our former
encampment and the envoy had deserted us it occurred to me that our
friend Barney, who had accompanied us a long way, appeared rather too
anxious to have a gin. He had been busy, as I subsequently learnt, in
raising a hue and cry on th