84 BRANCHES OF THE GWYDIR. [CH. IV. 



a remote distance by the smoke of the fires of the native po- 

 pulation. The numerous marks of feet in the banks, with 

 the abundant remains of muscles, and bones of aquatic 

 birds, proved, that human existence was limited to these 

 channels ; not only on account of water, but of those animals, 

 birds, and fishes also, which are man's natural prey. 



In returning, we explored the western termination of the 

 lagoon on which we had encamped, and thus ascertained that 

 it was not part of any channel of flooded waters. Beyond 

 the lagoon was a plain, apparently subject to inundation, and 

 bounded at the distance of some miles by a line of trees, 

 which, in all probability, defined the course of the Nammoy. 



Jan. 16. — The party proceeded along the course I had 

 traced the day before. The country, as far as the first chain 

 of ponds, was full of holes, which evidently were at certain 

 seasons filled with water ; and the height to which the inun- 

 dations rose, was marked on the trunks of the trees, by a 

 dark stain, which, to a certain height, seemed universal. 

 Considering these proofs of extensive flooding, and the soft 

 nature of the soil, we were then crossing, it was obvious, that 

 a rainy season would render our return impracticable, at least 

 with the carts. For the first time, and with great reluctance, 

 we left the high ground behind u?, to traverse a region sub-' 

 ject to inundation, without the prospect of a single hill, to 

 which we might repair in case of necessity. It was neverthe- 

 less indispensable, that we should find the river Gwydir, and 

 cross it, before we could hope to travel under more favourable 

 circumstances. Beyond the first channel we traversed an 

 open plain of rich soil, similar to that of the plains near 

 Mount Riddell. 



We reached the second channel, at a higher part than that 

 attained by me previously, so that the distnnce traversed by 

 the ])arty was only seventeen and a half miles, as determined 

 I)y the latitude ; and this journey, although very distressing 

 to the cattle, was acconi[)li!5iied by half-past two. 'i'hernio- 

 lueter 90°. Here the ponds opened into a largo lagoon 



