128 Recent Discoveries in 



have to make room for flourishing dairy stations, silk growing 

 plantations and wine producing farms. 



Peculiar looking dried up lakes of several miles, in diameter, 

 in the neighbourhood of Lake Boga, and having their north-east 

 shores considerably elevated in the form of an amphitheatre, 

 above the remaining portion of the soil, extend between 

 the Lachlan and the Darling, and sweep around Candilla Lake 

 in the direction of Lake Torrens, of which they appear to be the 

 ancient remains. Before the Murray and its tributaries were able 

 to break through the limestone cliffs, near the overland corner, 

 in longitude 140° and from the present channel of that river, a 

 chain of high, picturesque, but barren sand hummocks, appear 

 to have been formed, characterising the last violent struggle, 

 which took place between a shallow sea and a large accumu- 

 lation of sweet rainwater in the valley of the Murray, leaving 

 on the one side now and then a fresh water lake, which by 

 means of an open channel had communication with the newly 

 formed Elver Murray, and on the other side now and then a 

 concentrated saltwater lake, which, when dried up in summer, 

 forms a crust of salt, covering its bottom, and which might tempt 

 a skater to try his skill on the icy looking surface. 



The Golgol Ranges exist only in name and the charming blue 

 of a high mountainous district appears for the first time, after 

 having passed Laidley Ponds, and even here at a great distance. 



The Anna branch of the Darling has its junction at least fifty 

 miles higher up the river, than is shown by Arrowsmith's map. 



Extensive polygonum flats, and the absence of reed-beds, are 

 characteristic of the banks of the Darling. I may also mention the re- 

 markable fact of a strange disease, prevailing in that district on an 

 extensive scale amongst the horses ; a kind of madness befalling 

 these animals, which causes them to rise and plunge, rear high into 

 the air, and in most instances finish by committing suicide, either 

 by falling over the banks into the river or breaking their necks. 

 The disease commences with a dullness ; shortly afterwards the 

 animal shies at any object, thereupon gets completely mad, and 

 if it should recover, loses its former tone of voice, which 

 changes into the cry of a mule ; while, all the qualities for which 

 the horse is so justly esteemed are lost. 



In latitude 32° south, a new vegetation begins. The Atriplex 

 plains disappear, and zebra-Like spotted wood and native orange 

 trees grow in the richer soil. The whole country, as regards 

 vegetation, is at least three months in advance of the southern 

 portion. 



Arrived at Mount Murchison, the last outpost of civilization, 



