ther been bitten by a snake or had eaten some noxious herb, which
had fortunately been avoided by the other horses." Sand-flies and
mosquitoes were very troublesome, large yellow hornets savage in their
attacks, and ants every where. Of these, the species called the
funnel-ant is worthy of notice for the peculiarity of its nest. It
digs a perpendicular hole in the ground, and surrounds the opening
with an elevated wall, sloping outwards like a funnel; a style of
architecture of which, upon a rainy day, the tenant of the dwelling
must feel the disadvantage. The white ant is also met with, and builds
itself massive hills of enormous size. "I followed the Casuarina Creek
up to its head, and called it 'Big Ant-Hill Creek,' in consequence of
numerous gigantic strangely-buttressed structures of the white ant,
which I had never seen of such a form, and of so large a size." Within
three days' journey of the gulf of Carpentaria, the box-tree flat was
studded with turreted ant-hills, either single sharp cones, three to
five feet high, or united in rows and forming piles of remarkable
appearance.

Their arrival at the gulf of Carpentaria, which occurred on the 5th
July, was a joyful event to the wanderers. From the map accompanying
Dr Leichhardt's journal, it appears they did not take the most direct
track from Moreton Bay to Port Essington, but inclined too much to the
right, reaching the gulf on its eastern instead of its southern shore,
and having consequently, as they were proceeding north-west, to strike
off at right angles in a S.S.W. direction. For this deviation from the
direct line, there may have been good reason in the nature of the
ground, the forests, mountains, and other difficulties to be avoided,
and in the necessity of preserving the vicinity of water. Hitherto the
progress of the expedition was most satisfactory, the only important
drawback being the death of poor Gilbert. A line of land communication
between the eastern and northern coasts of Australia had been
discovered and carefully mapped; it was well supplied with water, and
the country was excellent--available almost throughout for pastoral
purposes. The Doctor had special reason to rejoice at having got so
far on his expedition, for the time occupied in reaching the gulf
exceeded the period in which he had expected to arrive at Port
Essington, and his companions had begun to despond, and even to
question his abilities as a guide and leader. "We shall neve