EFFECTS OF THE ATMOSPHERE. 229 



about sixty yards distant from the Murrumbidgee 

 river. The view, from the front of the cavern, 

 of the exterior country was beautiful : swallows' 

 nests, as well as the restless birds themselves, 

 were numerous; and the " Currijong-tree " was 

 also seen growing about the limestone ranges. 

 The swamp oaks, or " Plow'y?" of the abori- 

 gines grew here in abundance, indicating by 

 their presence the course of the river. 



The aborigines will not venture into the dark 

 recesses of the cavern for fear of the " dibbil- 

 dibbil," as they express it. In a small cave 

 attached to this cavern a number of human 

 bones had recently been found, which it was 

 afterwards ascertained were those of a native 

 female, and had been deposited here, (in accord- 

 ance with a custom among the aborigines, of 

 placing the bodies of deceased friends and rela- 

 tions in caverns, hollow trunks of trees, &c.) 

 about twenty years before. 



The black swans {Anas plutonid) were at cer- 

 tain spots numerous about the river ; they lay 

 several eggs of a light bluish tinge, but at this 

 season the young birds were seen in the river, 

 as also the young of the different species of 

 wild ducks, teal, &c., which are numerous in 

 the colony ; although neither the young of the 

 black swans or ducks can yet fly, still nature 



