268 



At one o'clock, we encamped on the borders of the marsh. 

 Captain Logan and two men went to ascertain the possibility 

 of penetrating to the Dividing Range, and returned at six 

 o'clock with an unsatisfactory report. 



Aug. 8th. — The weather was mild and clear this morn- 

 ing, and we pursued our way along the flats seen yesterday, 

 which we found to stretch round the eastern base of Mount 

 French. Their length is about seven miles, and their 

 breadth from one and a half to two miles. Towards the 

 north-east they are dry and well watered, and the chain of 

 ponds that commences at their north-east extremity soon 

 becomes united, and forms a beautiful stream, which was 

 named the Esk. Passing down Eskdale, the flats increase 

 in magnitude, stretching to the hills on either side of the 

 stream. Two miles north-east of the first flats, is a second 

 plain, firm and dry, which was called Rattray's Plain ; and 

 to the east again, the valley opens in the direction of Flin- 

 ders' Peak. 



The brushes which commenced at Mount French accom- 

 panied us in all our day's route, and, after considerably 

 impeding our progress, completely arrested our intended 

 course. The species of Xanthorrhcea seen to-day, with their 

 extraordinary bee-hive tops, were truly superb. We halted 

 at three o'clock: lat. at noon, 28^ South: thermometer at 

 six in the morning, 40^. 



Aug. 9th. — The air mild and clear : thermometer at 50°. 

 We proceeded directly towards the high peak of Flinders, 

 anxiously expecting to encamp at its base ; but we had not 

 gone above two miles, when we found ourselves bewildered 

 in dense forests of Araucaria, from which the only outlet 

 was by the banks of the stream, diat here, taking a sudden 

 turn to east north-east, observed die same direction to the 

 close of this day's journey, passing through an exceedingly 

 broad and fertile valley, abounding in extensive ponds. At 

 three o'clock, stopped, as usual, having walked ten miles and 

 a half, the reduced distance being seven miles east north-east : 

 the latitude at noon 27^ 55' 41" South, and the thermometer 

 at sunset indicating 60°. 



