240 JUGIONG. 



here it is rare that an}^ ill effects arise from it ; the 

 same remark may equally apply to the custom of 

 sleeping in the bush at night when travelling, 

 from which no traveller has been known to sus- 

 tain injury. The road continued excellent as I 

 proceeded ; but during the wet season is probably 

 (being similar to that before passed over) nearly 

 impassable. The feature of the country was open 

 forest, abounding in luxuriant grass : occasion- 

 ally a denser forest would vary the scene ; the 

 hills were thinly wooded, and the declivities 

 carpeted wdth verdure. 



At last, the gloomy appearance and peculiar 

 growth of the " swamp aaks" indicated the 

 vicinity of a creek, which emptied itself into the 

 Murrumbidgee river ; and, on ascending the 

 hill near it, the ripe wheat field, and mud 

 hovel appeared; and large "swamp oaks," 

 " water gum," and other trees, directed my at- 

 tention to the situation where the Murrumbidgee 

 river flowed : this was the station named " Ju- 

 giong," the property of Henry O'Brien, Esq. ; 

 and, descending the hill, I arrived at the dirty 

 hut of the station, my only place of rest for the 

 night, after a journey of thirty-six miles. 



I found in this, as in other instances, more 

 animation and beauty in the vicinity of a river, 

 than in other portions of the land ; imparting 



