June 22, 1857.] GREGORY'S NORTH AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITION. 495 



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 2,500 feet above the sea level, in latitude 18^ 45', longitude 

 143** 50', and encamped on a large sandy creek, tributary to the 

 Lynd Eiver, the southern branches of which we crossed the follow- 

 ing day. The lower part of the valley of the Lynd was here about 

 1,500 feet above the level of the sea, the primary ranges rising 

 abruptly to the W., 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 nature 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 latitude 18^ 57', longitude 144^ 50'. 

 The channel was about 50 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 of 

 the 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 S.E. 



37. Below the junction of the "Clark," the country improved 

 considerably, large tracts of basaltic rock forming very fertile land 

 by its decomposition. 



38. South of latitude 20^ granite and trap prevailed, forming fine 

 open grassy ridges, timbered with iron bark ; and this continued to 

 latitude 26^ 40'. 



39. Eeaching the junction of the Burdekin with the "Suttor" 

 Eiver, on the 30th October, in latitude 20° 36', longitude 146° 50', 

 I followed up the latter river, soon encountering dense brigalow 

 scrubs, which gradually extended over the whole face of the country, 

 and impeded our progress considerably. 



40. In about latitude 21° 30', longitude 146° 40', the Suttor is 

 joined by the " Belyando " of Sir T. Mitchell. This river was 

 running, there having been heavy rains on the upper part of its course. 



41. Availing myself of this favourable circumstance, I followed it 

 up to latitude 22^, and then steered S.E. in hopes of finding a more 

 open country, but after crossing a low ridge of sandstone hills, 

 entered a vast level plain, covered with brigalow scrub, which 

 continued to latitude 22° 40', longitude 147° 10', where we crossed a 

 range of scrubby mountains, and descended to " Peak Downs " on the 

 12th November. 



2 R 



