Explorations of Australia. 157 



Mitchell was also replete with great results, and may be regarded 

 like that of Sturt as very conclusive of the probable nature of 

 Central Australia. 



The Darling tributaries were further examined and in about 25° 

 S. high ranges discovered, from whence the waters are flowing 

 to the Burdekin, towards Lake Torrens, to the Darling. 

 Fine grazing districts stretch along many of these watercourses. 

 Mr. Kennedy traced subsequently the J Barcoo or Victoria Biver 

 discovered by Sir Thomas Mitchell, found it identical with 

 Cooper's Creek and traced likewise the Warrego until it seemed to 

 be lost in the desert. Between the Warrego and Calgoa he 

 encountered a waterless country for 80 miles. 



The Barcoo is an excellent example of the nature of the 

 generality of the Australian desert rivers. From a fine water- 

 course with large pools it spreads, as soon as it leaves the 

 suddenly terminating sandstone ridges, into countless channels over 

 a depressed country devoid of vegetation, until with reappearance 

 of hills, the drainage once more collects in channels retaining 

 permanent water. 



In the subsequent year Dr. Leichhardt, accompanied by Mr. 

 Bunce, connected his former route as far as Peak Banges with 

 some of the northerly positions gained by Sir Thomas Mitchell. 



During the years 1844, 1845, and 1846, the discoverer of the 

 Murray River again took the field for geographical research under 

 the auspices of the British Government. Assisted by Messrs. 

 Poole and Brown, he found on his way to central Australia the 

 Barrier Banges, a chain of low mountains, formerly, perhaps, an 

 island in the ocean. Favoured by rainshowers Captain Sturt's 

 officers reached the east wing of Lake Torrens. Mount Lyall, 

 the highest in the eastern vicinity of Lake Torrens, measuring 

 2000' was examined, and the Grey Ranges, (flat topped mountains 

 denuded of forest vegetation, in which it seems slate rocks pre- 

 dominated), emanating from a very depressed desert, became also 

 known. The thermometer rose in December to 131° Fah. in the 

 shade, and to 154° under direct exposure to the sun-rays. Captain 

 Sturt proved here the cessation of high land to the east and north- 

 east within a considerable distance. 



Deprived of water all around, beyond the friendly glen, to 

 which he was led by Providence, he found himself imprisoned 

 for many months at a solitary pool of Frome Creek, on the 

 western side of Grey-range, lat. 29° S., until the brief rainy 

 season reappeared, surrounded " by one of the most gloomy 

 regions that men ever traversed, the stillness of- death reign- 

 ing around them." Captain Sturt further examined the N, E. 



M 



