388 APPEARANCE OF COUNTRY 



extensive valleys, all of which appeared through a 

 spy-glass to be of the same arid nature ; for a few 

 miles to the eastward, and a great many to the 

 northward, the formation of the country was of the 

 same flat, broken, and irregular character, but no 

 part visible appeared to be of greater elevation than 

 that on which we stood ; to seawards the appearance 

 of the country was that of an undulating plain, with 

 patches of stunted woodland widely scattered. 



After attentively examining with my glass, resting 

 on the ground, all that lay within the extensive 

 range of vision afforded by Wizard Peak,* I could 

 not help congratulating Mr. Clifton on his display 

 of judgment, in taking the responsible step I have 

 mentioned ; and it is to be deeply regretted, that one 

 so energetic, and so well adapted for the duty he 

 had undertaken, should have been totally abandoned 

 by those who sent him out. It was now clear that 

 this part of the country was not fit for the settler, 

 being deficient in the three most necessary articles, 

 water, timber for building, and food for stock.t 



* The reader will see my position, at this time, together 

 with the track of the Beagle's party, and that of Captain Grey's, 

 laid down in one of the charts accompanying this work. 



j" Mr. Moore's description of the country near Champion Bay, 

 is as follows : "Judging by the eye at that distance, the entire 

 space, as far as we had any opportunity of seeing, after going a 

 little way back from the coast, on the slope to the hills, upon 

 the hills, among the hills, beyond the hills, and, in short, every- 

 where, as far as the eye could discern, appeared a grassy country, 

 thinly sprinkled with some low trees or shrubs, perhaps acacias. 



