Apri^j Barnard, Journeys of Dr. Neumayer in Victoria. 191 



a fine sheet of water, surrounded with sand-hills covered with 

 pine trees (Callitris). Near the river were Box trees and Red 

 Gums. Next morning saw some fine Black Swans and White 

 Cranes. Started on 25th for Pine Plains. On afternoon of 

 next day reached Putjewallah — " wallah " is, in the native 

 tongue, " porcupine grass," and the name of the place is 

 intended to convey the fact that there is plenty of porcupine 

 grass there, which is certainly very true. Reached Pine Plains 

 at II a.m. on 27th, the temperature having been up to 100° 

 during the day. Towards evening the wind died away, and 

 steady rain set in. The night of 28th was very wet. It was 

 now his intention to make for the junction of the Murray and 

 the Darling, but he could not get anyone to go with him as 

 guide — even an aboriginal who had spent all his life in the 

 Mallee refused to go. He, however, determined to go as far 

 as the Salt Lakes, about 40 miles north, which he reached at 

 4.30 p.m. on 30th, after a terrible journey. Obtained some 

 Bronzewing Pigeons on the way. Next day started for 

 Terreejee (a little to the west of the present Ouyen), but, 

 after getting about half way, had to return for want of 

 water and feed for horses. Got back to Pine Plains about 

 II p.m. on 3rd November. Found the Messrs. Cameron 

 had made all preparations to start in search of him the next 

 morning. Left Pine Plains on 4th, and on 6th reached the 

 Mournpall Lakes. He remarks : — " What a wonderful change 

 of scenery we meet with here — from the mallee scrub and 

 desert country to these splendid gum-trees — a change which 

 was quite sudden to us, having made the latter part of the last 

 day's journey in the dark." Next morning, soon after leaving 

 camp, while going along a billabong, they caught sight of a 

 strange animal making a great noise, and appearing to be of 

 a very large size. None of the party had ever seen anything 

 like it before. It looked like a seal, but, on approaching closer, 

 it was found to be one of the Musk Ducks so frequent on the 

 Mournpall lagoons. At first one could not help being reminded 

 of the blacks' " bunyip." Reached Jamieson's station, on 

 the Murray, on loth. Here learned news of loss of Burke 

 and Wills. Temperature at noon, 95.9°. Reached junction of 

 Murray and Darling on the afternoon of the loth. An ex- 

 cessively hot wind was blowing on the 15th ; temperature, 

 97.2° at 3 p.m. About 5 p.m. an immense number of the Brown 

 Hawks, so common in the Darling country, made their appear- 

 ance near our camp, soaring above and about it ; they came 

 apparently from the north-east, against a strong breeze. 

 Found it very difficult to make observations owing to the 

 mosquitoes, it being impossible to protect the eyes and face 

 while using the telescopes. Reached the pyramid marking the 



