122 IXTERIOE OF TVESTEKN AUSTKALIA. 



of a slxarp, narrow ridge of rugged, steep rocks, about 1^ mile in 

 length, N. by E. and S. by W., with sides rising in many parts at an 

 angle of less than 45° to the summit. Having seen no land that 

 better deserves the name, I conclude this is the hill which Mr, Eyre, 

 the original discoverer of the Eussell Eange from the coast, called 

 Mount Eagged. It is a somewhat loose mass of laminated quartz 

 and micaceous schist, dipping to the W. by N., at an angle of 7 or 8 

 degrees from the vertical, and intersected by numerous quartz veins, 

 traversing the mount in various directions. The summit is about 600 

 feet above the base, and the latter 400 feet above the level of the sur- 

 rounding limestone plains. Several remarkable transverse rents are also 

 observable, extending from the summit to its base, and combining with 

 other appearances to lead to a belief that the whole mass is rapidly 

 breaking up. The other hills of this range are of similar aspect and 

 composition, but of less elevation, and lie in a detached group 4 or 5 

 miles to the N.E.; the intermediate and surrounding country being 

 covered as before with thickets and scrub, presenting an horizon 30 

 miles distant in the N,E. and N.W- quarters, unbroken by a single 

 rise* In the opposite quarters appeared the mighty ocean, studded 

 with many islands of the Eecherche Archipelago, and numerous reefs, 

 both covered and dry. The low sandy coast about Point Malcolme 

 seemed to be not more than 15 miles distant in the S.E,, and several 

 fires of the natives smoked up amongst its sand-hills, and along the 

 coast further to the N.E : behind which rose some granite hills of con- 

 siderable elevation, similar to those which now appeared in view 

 behind Capes Pasley and Arid. Amongst them I directed my glass 

 long and attentively, but in vain, in the hope of discovering some in- 

 ducement for prolonging my journey to the eastward ; for although I 

 had then the satisfaction of standing upon the spot pointed out in my in- 

 structions as the eastern limit for present exploration, I should not have 

 hesitated to exercise a discretion in proceeding further eastward, had 

 appearances and prospects in the least encouraged an advance. Such 

 however was unfortunately not the case, not the slightest appearance of 

 a gi'assy tract of country was visible in any direction, and our horses 

 had already had too much taken out of them to warrant any further 

 risking their lives by prolonging the examination of so fearful and im- 

 practicable a coimtiy. They had already traversed fully 1000 miles of 

 country since leaving the Swan, and had as much more in prospect 

 before they could reach it again. 



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