THE INTEKIOTl OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA, 45 



coming iu long open reaches from the westward, between grassy banlcs, 

 and ascended a branch coming from the N.E., where we soon fonnd 

 ourselves amidst the white and red sandstone cliffs of the coal forma- 

 tion, and continued so for the nest six miles, when w^e encamped just 

 in time to escape the severity of heavy stormy weather which set in 

 from^the N.W., with much rain. This continued^ and detained us in 

 camp during next day, — a respite which was to myself personally accept- 

 able, as I had caught a violent cold by incautiously sleeping in wet 

 clothes. Whilst ascending this river, we carefully examined every ac- 

 cessible cliff for coal-shales, but could discover no approach to them, 

 the strata in this space being apparently too remote, and having no 

 perceptible or decided dip in any direction. 



Finding we were led too far N.W. by following up this branch, we 

 quitted it on the 21st, 13 miles further north, coming from the N.N.W., 

 through a valley of good soil and grass, 300 yards wide, with scrub on 

 each side, the channel being filled with granite and whinstone, and the 

 water high-coloured but brackish. Kangaroo and emu numerous. 



Steering N.E., we crossed several small fresh streams, running to 

 the S., in good grassy valleys, and at noon, in latitude 34° ¥ S,, came 

 on one of large size, in a more considerable valley of good soil, well 

 grassed. It was running to the E.N.E,, in a stream rather brackish, 

 and, according to our native companion, flows into Bremer Bay, 45 

 miles to the S.E, I did not therefore follow it, leaving its further exa- 

 mination for my return westward, should circumstances then permit. 



We had now decidedly left all indications of. the coal-formation be- 

 hind us, and were in a granite and quartz country of greater elevation, 

 sheets of the former spreading out on the surface, and the latter blended 

 with it. Pushing to the N.E., we crossed several fresh tributaries to 

 the above river, occupying good grassy valleys, and encamped 10 miles 

 further on, upon a northern branch of the same river, fresh, in a grassy 

 valley of good brow^n soil, timbered with yeit, casuarina, and wattles. 

 The former is a species of the extensive Eucalyptus family, with a dark, 

 rough, netted bark, and is always welcomed by the traveller, as growing 

 in good soil, and amongst grass. * 



On passing over the first ridge on the following morning, we were 

 gladdened by the view of a large extent of good grassy country to the 

 N.E., lightly timbered, and at this time well watered by a river and its 

 numerous branches. It is known to the natives as Jeer-a-mung-up. 

 Entering upon it immediately, we descended for two miles and a half 



