290 VIEW FROAI MOUNT MACPHERSON. [CH. VIT. 



not appear much higher further to the westward : those in 

 that direction beiug connected with the summit, and also 

 with each other, and extending to the north and south, 

 prevented me from seeing almost any of the features ob- 

 served from Mount Murchisson, which hill was barely 

 visible. The only striking feature, I could perceive east of 

 the Darling, was Greenough's grouj), which rose upon the 

 horizon, level on that side, save where one or two summits of 

 the higher ground, to the eastward, just appeared to break 

 the sharpness of the bounding line. But the flatness of the 

 north-western line of vision was still more remarkable, and 

 it was difficult to understand how the basin of the Darling, 

 which appeared so narrow below, could find limits there. The 

 countr}^ to the northward, if not a dead level, was varied by 

 only some slight undulations, and it was partially covered with 

 stunted bushes, alternating with a few naked plains. As far 

 as I could see with my glass, no smoke appeared to rise from 

 the vast extent, visible in that direction. After taking the 

 bearings of the different points, we returned, and recrossed 

 the Darling about sunset. At the base of the hill, we met 

 with several kangaroos, and had some shots (with bullets) 

 at a very tame bustard. There was a rocky channel, whei'e 

 water can be but seldom scarce. We saw none, but from 

 the presence of kangaroos, Ave thought that there must have 

 been some very near the hill. This hill I named Mount 

 Macpherson after the collector of internal revenue at Sydney. 

 July 30. — Proceeded on our journey by our former route, 

 and arrived by four p. m. at our old camp of the 18tli and 19th 

 June, which we again occupied. We were still at a loss to 

 know for what purpose the heaps of one particular kind of 

 grass* had been pulled, and so laid up hereabouts. Whether 

 it was accumulated by the natives to allure birds, or by rats, 

 as their holes were seen beneath, we were puzzled to deter- 

 mine. The soft ground retained no longer the footsteps 

 imprinted on it by the haymakers, whoever they had been. 

 • Panicum tei'tnorfe (Lindl, MS.); for description see page 238. 



