108 THE SPENCER GULF DISTRICT 



marsh until it is drained. Of its width I have no know- 

 ledge — it stretches in many places far beyond the range of 

 human vision. It is not less than a hundred miles long 

 from south to north, and may be much more. I followed 

 its line of reeds for the distance mentioned, and did not 

 then come to the end of it. Heavy rains turn the banks, 

 and probably much of the surface of the lake, into a quag- 

 mire which compels the traveller to seek firmer ground. I 

 do not know if much water settles on any portion of the 

 marsh; but I could see the appearance of a large lake 

 about ten miles to the westward. Other large bodies of 

 water were perceived to the northward and on our right. 

 It is certain, therefore, that a few heavy showers result in 

 the country being temporarily inundated, but the water 

 all soaks away in a few days. It can be obtained by 

 digging — in the winter-time at least. Near the marsh it is 

 found at depths of from six to twelve feet, but the water 

 is salt. Five miles from the edge of the salt pan, water is 

 found at ten or twelve feet which, though brackish, is 

 drinkable. It is more or less brackish in all parts of the 

 western side of the Torrens valley, or depression, and, no 

 doubt, on the eastern side also ; but as the latter part was 

 not visited by me I cannot say so of my personal 

 knowledge. 



Lake Torrens is situated in a valley of at least fifty 

 miles in width, the mountains on the east side approaching 

 much closer than on the west. This range is flat topped 

 with a line of horizontal strata near the top. There are 

 several peaks which look two thousand feet in height ; and 

 these mountains are quite distinct from the Flinder's 

 range which trends much more to the eastward. Several 

 lakes lie between the two ranges, some of them of 

 considerable size ; but it is doubtful if any of them are 

 permanent. The mountains must drain into Lake Torrens, 

 but there is no permanent stream on the east side ; and 

 the quantity of water collected is not sufficient to prevent 

 the formation of the saline crust described above. 



Further to the north a great many streams empty 

 themselves into Lake Eyre, but these streams are of the 



