Regions between the Rivers Lachlan and Darling. 137 



amusing- and interesting ; but I Avish to ask for a little furtlier 

 indulgence tluit I may make a few general remarks on tlie 

 peculiarities of the country travelled over, as they may prove 

 of service to others. In many parts of Australia the red gum 

 tree indicates permanent water, and thus a distant line of 

 tall white timber may tell of a creek or river. In dry level 

 regions, within our own territory, there is a box tree with a 

 coarse bark, that indicates the presence of water, not perma- 

 nent ; but, in the locality lying between the rivers Lachlan 

 and Darling, the same box trees only indicate swamps of the 

 past, and which have beds so riddled with deep fissui'es, that, 

 if a river were to flow into them to-day, they would be dry 

 to-morrow. The indications of water, in that country, are a 

 tall, coarse-jointed grass, and the largest variety of saltbush. 

 Polyganum scrub always indicates a flooded country ; where 

 there is plenty of this scrub, but stunted and perishing, it 

 seems merely to indicate that the country was once flooded, 

 or better watered. I think the numerous dry watercourses 

 prove this also. The land has either risen, or the bed of the 

 Lachlan has become deeper ; for in my opinion there is great 

 Aveight of evidence to prove that numerous canals, at no very 

 remote period, went out from the Lachlan to water the lock 

 plains. Hills and ridges of sand, altogether diff'erent in color 

 from the ferruginous sand ridges of the mallee scrub, owe 

 their origin, I believe, to currents of fresh water. 



We always found our vision much circumscribed by mirage. 

 From four to five miles is the utmost limit at which trees can 

 be seen during the sunshine. The only time to get a clear 

 and distant vicAV on such plains as those referred to, is before 

 sunrise. 



In reference to certain animals being able to live without 

 water, wombats, rats, mice, snakes, and dew and knobby- 

 tailed lizards, appear to be continual residents in localities 

 where there is no water near. The first two named may pro- 

 bably migrate, but not the others. Our dog frequently found 

 such creatures, especially small mice. 



On the plains the mesembryanthemum plants are always to 

 be met with. It has often occurred to me that this plant 

 might Ijc made use of in cases of emergency. Any quantity 

 of water could be obtained from it, and it would only require 

 a small still for the purpose, unless the soda or potash which 

 it contains could be otherwise extracted. 



I think it ought to be generally known, that wherever 

 wells have been sunk, cither on the MiuTumbidgee or Murray 



