302 WOODS AND GRASSES. [CH. VTI. 



appeared, forming low undulations towards the base of 

 more remote hills, which consist of a very hard sand- 

 stone. I may here mention, however, that the extremity of 

 Dunlop's range, which, by approaching the river, there occu- 

 pied the place of the hard gravel in other situations, seemed 

 to be composed of the same rock of which much of that 

 gravel consisted. 



Of the hills in general, it may be observed, that those on 

 the left bank are most elevated at the higher parts of the 

 I'iver, whereas those on the right bank, rise into greatest 

 heio-ht, towards the lower narts of the river, as far as ex- 

 plored by us. The plains extend on each side of the channel 

 to a distance of six or seven miles, and are in general clear of 

 timber. That deep and extensive bed of clay, so uniformly 

 filling the basis of this river, has every appearance of a mud 

 deposit. Behind the plains the country is sparingly wooded, 

 except by the stunted bush {Myoporuni montanum), which 

 forms a thick scrub, especially on the side of the low hills. 

 On the river bank, trees peculiar to it, grow to so large a 

 size, that its course may be easily traced at great distances ; 

 and they thus facilitated our survey most materially. These 

 gigantic trees consist of that species of eucalyptus called 

 b]ue-2;um in the colonv ; and theii- searchino- roots seem to 

 luxuriate in the banks of streams, lakes, or ponds, so that 

 the thirsty traveller soon learns to recognise the shining- 

 trunk, and white, knarled arms, as the surest guides to 

 water. The alluvial portion of the margin of the Darling is 

 narrow, and in most places overgrown with the dwarf box, 

 which is another species of eucalyptus. In it are hollow 

 places as already observed, covered with the polyfjonum jwi- 

 ceum, which is an unsightly leafless bush or bramble. Grass 

 is only to be found on the banks of the river, and, strictly 

 speaking, the uiaigin only can be considered alluvial, for 

 this being irrigated and enriched by the floods, it is every 

 where abundantly productive of grass, though none may 

 api)eai' in the back country. 



