IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 371 
convinced that its estuary was in the Gulf of Carpentaria; 
at all'events, the country is open and well watered for a 
direct route thereto. "That the river is the most important 
of Australia, increasing as it does by successive tributaries, 
and not a mere product of distant ranges, admits of no dis- 
pute; and the downs and plains of Central Australia, through 
Which it flows, seem sufficient to supply the whole world 
With animal food. The natives are few and iuoffensive. 
I crossed the river at the- lowest point I reached, in a 
great southern bend, in long. 144? 34' E., lat. 24° 14’ S., 
and from rising ground behind the left bank, I could trace 
Its downward course far to the northward. I saw no Callitris 
(pine ofthe colonists) in all that country, but a range show- 
ing sandstone cliffs appeared to the southward, in long. 
about 1459 E., lat. 24 30'S. The country to the northward 
of the riveris, upon the whole, the best; yet in riding 90 
miles due east from where I crossed the southern bend, I 
und plenty of water and excellent grass ; a red gravel there 
 SPproaches the river, throwing it off to the northward. 
is s extending N.N.W., were occasionally visible from the 
country to the northward.” il La 
_ The discovery of this river and the country through which 
itflows was the more gratifying after having been disap- 
Pointed in the courses of so many others. Sir T. Mitchell 
Le Most appropriately called this evidently important river 
.T Our most gracious Sovereign, the “ Victoria."* From 
415 Point Sir Thomas hastened back to rejoin his comrades 
left behind. The only other results of the expedition are 
; in his notice of their employment during his ab- 
2-4 
iat * 
= I reached that camp on the 8th ultimo, having been 7 
and ; about a month, found the cattle and horses refreshed, — 
a condition for pursuing our route homewards. - In nine E 
5 * It wit be a curious coincidence if the Victoria of Sir T. Mitchell 
‘Stokes, eventually prove to be identical with the Albert of Capt. T 
+ Which river that officer last saw flowing through the Plair 
Promise *; and disembouching in the Gulf of ataria. 
