April 23, I860.] MACDONNELL'S EXPEDITION INTO SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 93 



The Papers read were — 



1. Expedition into the Interior of South Australia. By the Governor, 

 Sir R. Macdonnell. With a Letter to Sir E. Murchison, Yice- 

 President r.g.s. 



Sir Richard Macdonnell, with a party of six persons, 20 saddle 

 and 10 pack horses, left Angipena in October, 1859, on an explora- 

 tory tour to the northwards, following the direction of the late 

 discoveries. They had found more difficulty in procuring feed for 

 their horses in the settled districts south of that place than subse- 

 quently fell to their lot to experience in any other part of their long 

 journey. Sir Richard first made aii examination of the Appealina 

 and other mines, whose reported mineral wealth appears to have 

 been greatly overstated. He then proceeded by Mount Lyndhurst 

 to the Mount Attraction Springs ; then to the Finness Springs, which 

 seem of considerable importance ; thence to Blanche Cup ; and finally 

 to the Loddon. Nearly all the springs in this part of Australia are 

 in the vicinity of large lagoons and salt-creeks. Most of them are 

 of the same type, consisting of stony mounds, with reeds at the top 

 and a hollow basin in the centre, containing water from a few inches 

 to six feet in depth ; while from each cup, either over the brim or 

 from the side, issued a stream proportioned to the strength of the 

 spring. The waters were not brackish, but they seemed to promote 

 thirst. The climate promised to be favourable to those who might 

 be able to provide a shelter against the great heat of the sun. The 

 nights were cool. The Governor reached Adelaide by the end of 

 December, after a rapid and arduous expedition of nearly 1800 

 miles. 



In Sir Richard's letter to Sir R. Murchison he touches on many 

 points of geographical interest. He mentions that springs similar 

 to those of Blanche Cup, &c., that is to say, consisting of small 

 conical hillocks, hollowed at the top, and containing water which 

 overflows the brim, have been found in lat. 31, due west of Mount 

 McPherson. He hopes that the most arid and difficult parts 

 of Australia may be opened up by means of these springs, for they 

 occur in very unpromising localities. 



He also mentions, with regard to the country lately traversed 

 by himself, that Mr. Goyder has been despatched on a two years' 

 expedition, with a well equipped party, in order to map it out. 



VOL. IV. 



