THE NORTH-AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITION. 237 



32. Low ranges of hills now rose abruptly from the plain, — the pre- 

 vailing rocks, slate, porphyry, gneiss, and granite. A decided improve- 

 ment was also observed in the vegetation. 



33. On the 5th of October reached the head waters of the eastern 

 branch of the Gilbert, and as it was necessary to reconnoitre the coun- 

 try before moving the party across the ranges, I proceeded onward with 

 Mr. H. Gregory for that purpose, and had a horse killed and dried 

 during my absence from the camp. 



34. On the 11th the party moved across the ranges, which rose 

 about 2500 feet above the sea-level, in lat. 18° 45', long. 143° 50', and 

 encamped on a large sandy creek, tributary to the " Lynd " River, the 

 southern branches of which we crossed the following day. 



34*. The lower part of the valley of the Lynd was here about 1500 

 feet above the level of the sea, the primary ranges rising abruptly to 

 the west, but the eastern side was formed by a gradually rising sheet 

 of basaltic lava, which separated it from the valley of the " Burdekin." 

 This portion of the country was well grassed, but, from the porous na- 

 ture of the rock, destitute of surface-water. 



35. On the 14th descended into the valley of the Burdekin, and on 

 the 16th reached that river, in lat. 18° 57', long. 144° 50'. The chan- 

 nel was about fifty yards wide, with a small running stream of water 

 winding along the sandy bed. The country was of a very broken and 

 almost mountainous character, the valley and some lower ridges well 

 grassed and suited for stock, the higher ranges usually poor and stony. 



36. Except in the river itself, surface-water was very scarce at this 

 season, and our route consequently along its right bank ; the general 



course south-east. 



37. Below the junction of the "Clark" the country improved con- 

 siderably, large tracts of basaltic rock forming very fertile land by its 



decomposition. 



38. South of lat. 20°, granite and trap prevailed, forming fine open 

 grassy ridges, timbered with Iron-bark; and this continued to lat. 

 20° 40'. 



39. Reaching the junction of the Burdekin with the " Suttor " Kiver 

 on the 30th of October, in lat. 20° 36', long. 146° 50', I followed up 

 the latter river, soon encountering dense Brigalow scrubs, which gra- 

 dually extended over the whole face of the country, and impeded our 

 progress considerably. 



