EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 61 



and saltbush plains for three miles, when we reached a very exten- 

 sive cotton-bush plain that extended to the foot of the Basedow 

 Range, about four miles distant. Here Billy took us to a number* 

 of claypans, a few of which contained water. After filling up the 

 kegs I started again, upon a bearing of 94°. Passed over good 

 pastoral country for three miles, and then turned one mile 

 southerly to examine a clump of box timber. Here was a small 

 and very shallow waterhole, but it was dry. Numerous kangaroo 

 were about, and two turkeys were seen, and numerous crows. 

 Resumed our course of 94°. At nine miles I was not very well 

 pleased to meet with spinifex sandhills again. At nineteen miles I 

 obtained an extensive view of the horizon to the south and south- 

 east. This tract of sandhill country appears to come from the 

 northward between the eastern end of the Basedow Range and the 

 western end of a range that I take to be the Erldunda Range, and 

 it does not appear to extend far to the southwards, for I can. 

 observe low flat-topped hills and an apparently open country in 

 that direction. Camped at dusk in spinifex sandhills with a range 

 of sandhills bearing N. 55° E. from us and distant about six or 

 seven miles. There being no feed here, the camels were tied up 

 for the night. Travelled twenty-five miles. Bar. 28'800in., 

 ther. 60° at 5 p.m. 



Monday, July 22nd. — Camp No. 72, Erldunda Station. Bar. 

 28 - 845in., ther. 25°. — Started away upon a bearing of S. 76° E., 

 at 8 - 4-5. Owing to a slight change of country near the camp I was 

 under the impression that I was out of the spinifex sandhills, but 

 I was soon convinced to the contrary, although the sandhills had 

 occasional flats of firm ground between them which were looking 

 fresh and green with grass and herbage. I continued in country of 

 this character for eight miles, when Billy called out that he had 

 seen an old horse track. At mid-day I came across two old dray 

 tracks. Calling Billy up to consult him, he decided that they 

 were the station drays carting in posts, and he said the station was 

 close by. The sandhills now became farther apart, and the inter- 

 vening country being better grassed, with occasional clumps of box 

 timber. Horse tracks became quite numerous, and of recent date. 

 At sixteen miles the station buildings were in sight, and soon after 

 we arrived and received a most cordial welcome from Mr. Tomlin. 

 Mr. Warburton was away on the run, but he arrived in the evening r 

 and entertained us with a kindly welcome and the warmest con- 

 gratulations upon our safe arrival. The evening was devoted on 

 the one hand to questions as to what had been going on in the 

 world, and on the other by relating the leading incidents of our 

 journey, which, as a brother explorer, Mr. Warburton could 

 thoroughly understand and realize. Travelled sixteen miles. 



Tuesday, July 23rd. — Camp No. 72, Erldunda Station; S. latitude 

 25° 12' 57". — I learn from Mr. Warburton that the most prominent 

 point in the Erldunda Range is called Ippia by the blacks, and 



