152 EXPLORATIONS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. [March 14, 1859. 



preceding year. Not only has the large vacant space corresponding 

 to the western and northern portions of that map been traversed in 

 several directions, but the path of one explorer, Mr. Stuart, has 

 attained even to about lat. 30^ 30', long. 137° 30', according to his 

 careful dead reckoning. The horse-shoe bed hitherto ascribed to 

 Lake Torrens, has now given place to a representation of a chain 

 of lakes, between two of which a well-grassed and well- watered 

 country has been found to exist : a communication has been made 

 across it by Major Warburton from the neighbourhood of Mount 

 Serle to the district lying to the north-west of the lakes. But the 

 most important discovery is that of Mr. Stuart, who traced a line of 

 water parting from the division between the above-mentioned lakes, 

 extending as far as he was able to follow it in a north-westerly direc- 

 tion, and having its slopes towards the interim' of the continent, of a far 

 more grassy and more promising character than those to the seaward. 



A large expedition had been started under the charge of Mr. 

 Babbage at a great expense to the colony, but it was hampered by 

 its own weight, and did not attain any very considerable distance, 

 although the country it passed over was thoroughly examined, 

 both to the right and to the left of the line of route, and carefully 

 mapped by its leader. The minor explorations of Mr. Parry to the 

 N.N.W. of Mount Serle, of Corporal Burtt to the W.N.W. of the 

 same place, and of police-trooper Geharty to the N. and N.W. of 

 Streaky Bay, have helped in a considerable degree to fill up the 

 space within the curve of Lake Torrens, or rather of the chain of 

 lakes by which its course is now represented. 



The whole of the country that has been explored affords numerous 

 districts capable of supporting sheep. Its character is thus described 

 by Major Warburton at the close of his numerous journeys, during 

 which he traversed the principal part : — 



*' Most of the country I have visited seems admirably adapted for 

 pastoral occupation. It is one that would be greatly improved by 

 being stocked, the surface would become firmer, and the thin coating 

 of small stones would be just sufficient to prevent rapid evaporation, 

 but not to interfere with the growth of grass, which would soon 

 spring up under sheep. There is no scrub. I saw very few wild 

 dogs, no kangaroos, and no natives. Sheep might be run in flocks 

 of several thousands ; and I believe that for every single sheep the 

 country could carry the first year, three might be put upon it the 

 third season. The ground is high, would be dry under foot when 

 made firmer by the treading of sheep, and it is clean for the wool. 

 A little rain would leave plenty of temporary surface water. The 

 water-holes are generally good, and would last all the year if that 



