76 Journey into the Interior of New South Wales. [Jam 
Proceeding from the Fish River, and at a short distance from it, 
a very singular and beautiful mountain attracts the attention, its 
summit being crowned with a large and very extraordinary looking 
rock, nearly circular in form, which gives to the whole very much 
the appearance of a hill fort, such as are frequent in India, To 
this lofty hill Mr. Evans, who was the first European discoverer, 
gave the name of Mount Evans. Passing on from hence the country 
continues hilly, but affords good pasturage, gradually improving to 
Sidmouth Valley, which is distant from the pass of the Fish River 
eight miles. The land here is level, and the first met with unen- 
cumbered with timber. It is not of very considerable extent, but 
abounds with a great variety of herbs and plants, such as would 
probably highly intere% and gratify the scientific botanist. This 
beautiful little valley runs north-west and south-east between hills 
of easy ascent thinly covered with timber. Leaving Sidmouth 
Valley, the country becomes again hilly, and in other respects re- 
sembles very much the country tothe eastward of the valley for 
some miles. Having reached Campbell River, distant 13 miles 
from Sidmouth Valley, the Governor was highly» gratified by the 
appearance of the country, which there began to exhibit an open 
and extensive view of gently rising grounds and fertile plains. 
Judging from the height of the banks, and its general width, the 
Campbell River must be on some eccasions of very considerable 
magnitude; but the extraordinary drought which has apparently 
prevailed on the western side of the mountains, equally as through- 
out this colony for the last three years, has reduced this river so 
much that it may be more properly called a chain of pools than a 
running stream at the present time. In the reaches or pools of the 
Campbell River the very curious animal called the Paradox, or 
Water Mole, is seen in great numbers. The soil on both banks is 
uncommonly rich, and the grass is consequently luxuriant. Two 
miles to the southward of the line of road which crosses the Camp- 
bell River there is a very fine rich tract of low lands, whieh has 
been named Mitchell Plains. Flax was found here growing in 
considerable quantities. The Fish River, which forms a junction 
with the Campbell River a few miles to the northward of the road 
and bridge over the latter, has also two very fertile plains on its 
banks, the one called O’Connell Plains, and the other Macquarrie 
Plains, both of considerable extent, and very capable of yielding 
all the necessaries of life. 
At the distance of seven miles from the bridge over the Campbell 
River, Bathurst Plains open to the view, presenting a rich tract of 
- champaign country of 11 miles in length, bounded on both sides 
by gently rising and very beautiful hills, thinly wooded. The 
Macquarrie River, which is constituted by the junction of the Fish 
and Campbell River, takes a winding course through the Plains, 
which can be easily traced from the high lands adjoining, by the 
particular verdure of the trees on its banks, which are likewise the 
