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ninji', without tlmiulei', was noticeable towards east. A few 

 similarly slight discharges witnout atmospherical precipitates 

 were observed during the next three months, but it was not 

 until the beginning of January that the proper thunderstorm 

 season set in, notwithstanding the intense dry heat which was 

 experienced at this time. 



Here a few words about the phenomenon of booming noises, 

 about which a few remarks are given in the " Handbook for 

 the Guidance of the Officers of the Expedition," viz. : — 

 " Travellers and explorers in different parts of the world have 

 occasionally been startled by loud booming sounds resembling 

 the distant discharge of heavy pieces of artillery. Captain 

 Sturt, in his explorations on the Darling in 1828, and again 

 in 1844 in the Far North, between the Stony Desert and 

 Eyre's Creek, reports having iieard similar noises, but was 

 unable to ofier any suggestions as to their cause. In the 

 event of such sounds being heard by yourself or by other mem- 

 bers of the party, you will be careful to note the exact time on 

 which heard, the supposed distance away and the direction, the 

 state of the atmosphere (whether clear or cloudy), the nature of 

 the surrounding country (whether sandy and flat or rocky and 

 mountainous), and, by way of comparison, refer to similar well- 

 known sounds. Enquiries on these points should also be made 

 at all stations throughout Central Australia, and at all outlying 

 sheep and cattle stations at which the expedition may happen to 

 call, carefully noting every instance of these loud noises being 

 heard, together with the name of your informant, his opinion as 

 to the cause, and such other matter as would be recorded under 

 the above instructions if heard by yourself. It is of the utmost 

 importance to note whether such sounds are accompanied by any 

 sensible vibrations of air or earth, and whether accompanied by 

 any rumbling like thunder." 



Though not fortunate enough to perceive it myself, by making- 

 enquiries I found that they were heard at the Eraser Range 

 Station, at Yilgarn, and frequently during the last eight years 

 at the Annean Station. No definite information was, however, 

 obtained, as to the time, state of weather when they occurred, or 

 such other details. Taking into consideration that these sounds 

 were heard at three places which are geologically and topo- 

 graphically so vastly different, viz., Eraser Range, liigh and 

 steep mountains of metamorphic rocks, Yilgarn slightly undu- 

 lating country, salt lakes and plains of moderate extent, and 

 Amiean Station, wide, boundless, alluvial flats, and furthermore 

 the same phenomenon has been heard in the Lake Eyre country 

 and the Upper Murray, both regions of an entirely different 

 geological character, certainly different to tliose places in Western 



