y covered with grass. This transition
from all that we sought to avoid to all we could desire in the character
of the country was so agreeable that I can record that evening as one of
the happiest of my life. Here too the doctor reported that no men
remained on the sick-list, and thus we were in all respects prepared for
going forward and making up for so much time lost.

DISCOVERY OF A GOOD RIVER. THE GLENELG.

July 31.

We now moved merrily over hill and dale, but were soon however brought to
a full stop by a fine river flowing, at the point where we met it, nearly
south-west. The banks of this stream were thickly overhung with bushes of
the mimosa, which were festooned in a very picturesque manner with the
wild vine. The river was everywhere deep and full and, as no ford could
be found, we prepared to cross it with the boats. But such a passage
required at least a day and, when I saw the boats afloat, I was tempted
to consider whether I might not explore the further course of this river
in them and give the cattle some rest. It was likely, I imagined, soon to
join another where we might meet with less obstruction. During the day
everything was got across save the empty carts and the boat-carriage, our
camp being thus established on the left bank. One bullock was
unfortunately drowned in attempting to swim across, having got entangled
in the branches of a sunken tree which, notwithstanding a careful search
previously made in the bottom of the stream, had not been discovered.

The river was here, on an average, 120 feet wide and 12 feet deep.

GRANITIC SOIL.

Granite* protruded in some places, but in general the bold features of
the valley through which this stream flowed were beautifully smooth and
swelling; they were not much wooded but on the contrary almost clear of
timber and accessible everywhere. The features were bold and round but
only so inclined that it was just possible to ride in any direction
without obstruction; a quality of which those who have been shut up among
the rocky gullies of New South Wales must know well the value. I named
this river the Glenelg after the Right Honourable the Secretary of State
for the Colonies, according to the usual custom.

(*Footnote. This granite varied consequently in the size of its component
parts which sometimes, especially in quartz and felspar, exceeded a foot
square, and in this I found distinctly imbedded friable masses,
apparently of sandstone, but which p