CH. VI.] CHANNEL OF A SMALL STREAM. 263 



It was evidently some time, since this dwelling had 

 been inhabited ; and I was uncertain, whether such a 

 large solitary hut had not been made during the illness of 

 those, who must have died in great numbers, to give occa- 

 sion for the large tombs on the hill. 



In this hut were many small bundles of wild flax, evi- 

 dently in a state of preparation, for making cord or line nets 

 and other purposes. Each bundle consisted of a handful of 

 stems twisted and doubled once, but their decayed state 

 shewed that the place had been long deserted. A great 

 quantity of the flax, in that state, lay about the floor, and on 

 the roof of the hut. The view from the hill of tombs was 

 dreary enough, as already observed. Southward a country 

 as level, and then much bluer than the ocean, extended to 

 the horizon. North-westward, some parts of the range be- 

 yond the river, appeared between the large gum-trees. On 

 all other sides the horizon was unbroken. 



July 8.— The cattle were not brought up so soon as usual 

 this morning ; and six or seven of the natives whom we saw 

 yesterday, came to us, with a stranger, a very strong tall 

 and good-looking native. They were also accompanied by 

 a female, who had lost a relative, as appeared by her 

 whitened hair, and who carried on her back a very large 

 net. I soon bade them adieu, and moved forward, crossing 

 some sandy plains, which reminded me of descriptions 

 of deserts in Asia or Africa : and then a small range of 

 red sand, on which grew three or four cypress trees, of a 

 species we had not previously seen. We descended to a very 

 extensive and level plain ; the surface of which being clay, 

 was firm and good for travelling upon. We afterwards en- 

 tered a small wood of rough gum (eucalyptus), in which, 

 while proceeding westward, and looking in vain for the Dar- 

 ling, we came upon a fine lagoon of water, resembling a 

 river. It had flood marks on its tanks, with white gum- 

 trees, and extended to the north-west and north-east, as far 

 as we could see, for the woods. There we encamped for the 



