CH. VI.] RANGE DISCOVERED BY REFRACTION. 259 



(which probably included that which we had seen previ- 

 ously), and the change in the direction of the main stream, 

 which trended now so much towards the west, made it still 

 possible, that a range separated it from the Murray. There 

 was now less of the extensive plains of bare soft earth, and 

 more of the firm clay, with small rough gum-trees. Few 

 bushes of the genus acacia were now to be seen, but the 

 minor vegetation appeared to be much the same as on the 

 upper parts. As great a paucity of grass also prevailed 

 here, except on the river bank, and as great an abundance of 

 the same atriplex and cucurbitaceous plants as I had noticed 

 elsewhere. 



July 6, — From a tree at our camp, a range was observed 

 in the south-west, having become visible from refraction, and 

 this rendered it still more probable, that the river would 

 continue its westerly course. I soon found it necessary, 

 however, to travel south-west in order to avoid it, and having 

 yesterday exceeded our usual distance, I halted at the end 

 of 8^ miles ; the river being then distant about two miles to 

 the north. From a bare hill beyond this camp, I could 

 see nothing southward, except a perfectly level horizon of 

 low bushes, the country being nevertheless full of hollows, 

 in which grew trees of large dimensions. The river line 

 was so sunk among these hollows, that I could trace it for 

 only a short distance, and there it bore about west-north- 

 west. The banks of the river, opposite to our camp of 

 yesterday, were of rather different character from those 

 which we had seen above. The slopes towards the stream 

 commenced some hundred yards from it, and they were 

 grassy, and gently inclined on each side, so that our carts 

 might have passed easily. We saw enormous trees by the 

 river side, and the scenery was altogether fine. The stream 

 glided along at the rate of two miles per hour, over a rock of 

 ferruginous sandstone, containing nodules of ironstone. Nine 

 natives approached the party, while on the march this day; 

 and they appeared very well disposed, frank and without 



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