236 HIGH LAND DISCOVERED IN THE WEST. [CH. V. 



crossed this clay, was of a somewhat different character from 

 any yet passed, consisting of low, bare eminences, bounding 

 extensive, open plains, on which were hollows on a clay bot- 

 tom surrounded by jjolygonum jimceum, and evidently the 

 receptacles of water at other times. The hills, if the bare 

 eminences might be so called, were composed of a red sandy 

 soil, producing only salsolse and composite plants, but no 

 grass. This red sand was so loose, that the wheels of the 

 carts sank in it, at some places, to the axles. There were 

 bold undulations where we encamped ; all declining towards 

 the hollow connected with the river. There was also a little 

 hill, overlooking plains to the north and west. We passed 

 a solitary tree of a remarkable character, related to Banisteria, 

 the wood being white and close grained, much resembling 

 beech. As it pleased the carpenters, I gathered some of the 

 seeds. This evening by observation of the star a Crucis, 1 

 ascertained the variation to be 7° 52' 15^^' E. 



June 17. — We descried, from a tree not far from the camp, 

 hills to the westward, and the interest with which we now 

 daily watched the horizon, may easily be imagined, for on 

 the occurrence and direction of ridges of high land, depended 

 the course of the Darling, and its union with other rivers, 

 or discharge into the sea on the nearest line of coast. A 

 range extending from west to north-v/est was in sip-ht, also 

 a lower ridge, but apparently on the other side of the river. 

 The cattle having separated on its banks during the night, 

 they were not brought up so early as usual ; and in the inte- 

 rim I endeavoured to repair the barometer, which was out of 

 order. This accident had occurred in consequence of the 

 man having carried it, contrary to my orders, slung round 

 his body, instead of holding it in his hand. Much of the 

 quicksilver had shaken out of the bag, and lodged in the 

 lower part of the cylinder ; but by filing the brass, and let- 

 ting off this mercury, the instrument was rendered once more 

 serviceable. We travelled this day due west, and at the end 

 of 72 miles we encamped on a bend of the river where the 



