Explorations of Australia. 155 



watering places were discovered, it does not detract from the 

 merits of the first and less fortunate explorer, who led the way 

 into these regions. 



In the months of June hardly any water existed on the 

 western side of Flinders Kange. 



He discovered in this tour, Mount Serle, one of the highest 

 mountains in the northern tracts of that colony, rising to 

 about 3000\ afterwards more specially examined by Mr. 

 Sinnett, of this city. From the summit of that mountain the 

 view to the N. and N.W. presented an almost unbroken 

 horizon, whilst Mr. Eyre's progress to the north was utterly 

 impeded by the circular expansion of Lake Torrens, a vast 

 salt morass, the water where examined, proving perfect 

 brime. The Mundy, the Burr, and the Frome Rivers were dis- 

 covered, the water proved, however, in the lower portion of 

 the Frome, to be perfectly saline, an observation confirmed 

 afterwards also by Mr. Sinnett; and, at Mount Distance the 

 springs even were salt ; brime springs having been found also 

 by Captain Sturt previously in the Darling, in nearly the 

 same latitude. 



Undaunted by endless embarassment and unparalleled hard- 

 ships, Mr. Eyre did not entirely abandon his task, but cross- 

 ing the country to Baxters Range (a chain composed of 

 Conglomerate), he opened for the first time the overland com- 

 munication from the head of Spencers Gulf to the settlements 

 of Port Lincoln, passing a sandy scrub-tract with a few 

 granitic hills. He rejoined his small party, which on his former 

 track of discovery along the almost waterless naked granitic 

 ridges of Gawler Range, had reached Streaky Bay. Salt lakes, 

 saline flats, and scrub, alternating with sandy ridges, completed 

 also here the type of the genuine Australian desert, neither 

 watercourses nor timber existing even under the high rocky 

 declivities of Gawler Range. 



The pages of Mr. Eyre's journal afterwards relate even 

 severer trials of his endurance and sufferings. Pushing on 

 often through dense scrubs he forced, by sinking wells in the 

 loose sand, his way to the great bight, but when endeavouring 

 to round that dreadful portion of the country, the limestone 

 rocks prevented him from obtaining water by digging. For 

 twenty-four days he in vain endeavoured to reach the head of 

 the bight, being obliged after reaching it within twelve miles 

 to abandon three horses his dray and provisions, and toilino- 

 unsuccessfully for seven days subsequent to their discovery. 



It must, however, not be forgotten, that the season was un- 

 favourable for his enterprise. Open grass plains were isolated 



