34 EXPLORATION OF THE MURCHISON", LYONS, AND [Nov. 8, 1858. 



of 1847, Leicliliardt fell a prey to Lis praiseworthy attempt to traverse the 

 contiaent from Moreton Bay to Swan liiver. His loss originated then a 

 series of expeditions, among which that of Mr. Gregory deserves a most 

 prominent place and notice from the range of scientific knowledge which it 

 furnishes of the Australian continent. For although his expedition did not 

 lead to the discovery of Leichhardt's traces, his dilferent journeys from the 

 north-east and south-east, performed towards the centre, girdle as it were the 

 mysterious and impenetrable region of the interior of Australia, and facilitate 

 thus the solution of that geographical problem. Considering then the services 

 rendered to science by Mr. Gregory, this Society cannot but join cordially in 

 the thanlvs to that distinguished explorer which are proposed to him from the 

 chair. 



The third Paper read was : — 



3. Exploration of the MurcJiison, Lyons, and Gascoyne Rivers in Western 

 Australia. By Mr. F. T. Gregory. 



Communicated by the Colonial Office. ' 



Perth, July 26, 1858. 

 Sir, — In accordance with the instructions conveyed in your letter 

 of the 15th March, authorising me to take the command of the 

 Expedition to Shark Bay, in course of organization by the northern 

 settlers, I have the honour to furnish the following report of our 

 proceedings while on that service, for the information of his Excel- 

 lency the Governor. 



The preliminary arrangements having been completed, and the 

 heavy portion of the stores forwarded by sea to Champion Bay, I 

 left Perth on the 26th of March, accompanied by Mr. James Eoe as 

 second in command, chainer Fairburn having started the previous 

 day with the team and light equipment of the expedition. 



Proceeding by way of Toodyay to the Irwin River, the party were 

 joined by Mr. W. Moore, with three horses ; passing on by way 

 of Champion Bay, we arrived at Koobijawanna, the point of general 

 rendezvous, by the 10th of April. On the 12th the remainder of the 

 stores arrived from Champion Bay, the party being augmented to 

 six persons by the addition of Mr. C. Nairne and Dugel, an aboriginal 

 policeman. This day and the following were occupied in weighing 

 and packing stores, shoeing horses, &c. 



lUh April. — The equipment of the expedition being completed 

 (with the exception of one horse to be procured at the Geraldine 

 Mine), we moved on to Yanganooka, passing the Geraldine Mine on 

 the 1 6th, and bivouacked on the Murchison Eiver, 6 miles above the 

 mine, having obtained the additional horse, making in all six saddle 

 and six pack-horses ; our supplies consisting of 60 days' rations, on 

 a scale of li lbs. of flour, 8 ozs. of pork, 4 ozs. of sugar, and ^ an 



