186 NORTH AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITION. [Nov. 10, 1856^ 



I therefore attempted to ascend the river in the gntta-percha boat, 

 but soon after passing "Palm Island" the dry banks became so 

 extensive that I relinquished the attempt, and returned to the camp, 

 the heat of the sun having so completely destroyed the water- 

 proofed canvas, of which the boat was constructed, that it was 

 scarcely kept afloat during the latter part of the return voyagfe. 



A few showers of rain having somewhat refreshed the grass, the 

 horses showed some improvement. I therefore selected seven of the 

 strongest, and on the 24th proceeded up the Victoria with a party 

 consisting of Mr. H. Gregory, Mr. Wilson, and Dr. Miiller. 



Leaving the river a short distance below "Steep Head" we 

 made a detour to the southward, and traversing a fine grassy country 

 which extended to Beagle Valley, struck the river a few miles above 

 the highest point examined by Captain Stokes. 



Following the river upwards, we passed to the east of FitzEoy 

 Range, and entered a deep gorge or ravine, bounded by cliffs of sand- 

 stone from 50 to 300 feet high. Through this ravine the river wound, 

 forming deep reaches, sometimes several miles in length, and only 

 separated by narrow banks of shingle or rock. The average course 

 being nearly south, we soon reached lat, 16° S , when the valley 

 suddenly expanded into a vast plain covered with excellent grass. 

 In this plain were several isolated hills of trap or basalt, the decom- 

 position of which adds much to the fertility of the soil. 



Having traced the Victoria to lat. 16° 26' S., long. 131° 10' E., 

 we returned to the camp, which was reached on the 13th December. 



During our absence, such of the men as could be spared from the 

 general duties of the camp, had been employed in cutting timber for 

 strengthening the frame of the schooner. 



The wet season had now set in, and the surface of the country 

 became so soft, that the horses could scarcely be collected together 

 at the camp. 



The rugged character of the precipitous sandstone ranges which 

 intersect the country, and the boggy condition of the plains, combined 

 with the fact that the greater part of the horses, suited for draught, 

 had been comprised in the number of those who had died, precluding 

 the employment of the drays, it became necessary to explore the 

 country with packhorses. Accordingly a party was organised, con- 

 sisting of Mr. H. Gregory, Mr. Baines, Dr. Miiller, and Messrs. Flood, 

 Phibbs, Bowman, Deane and Fahey, thirty packhorses, and six 

 saddle-horses. 



With this party I started on the 3rd January, 1856, to explore the 

 interior, south of the Victoria. 



The flooded st-ate of the country near the Victoria, compelled us to 



