132 J. H. MAIDEN AND K. H. CAMBAG-E. 



side), is Tarana. On the last slope descending into the 

 Fish River are noticed Eucalyptus melliodora, Indigofera 

 australis, Xerotes longifolia, Hardenbergia monophylla, 

 Cassinia quinquefaria. 



The crossing of the Fish River is awkward to approach 

 owing to its proximity to Hobby's Creek, but is not 

 dangerous (Plate 5). It was not more than twenty yards 

 wide when we crossed it (April, 1909) and in it are small 

 islands with Arundo phragtnites. Around the crossing are 

 Acacia decurrens var. dealbata, Eucalyptus viminalis, 

 melliodora, Stuartiana, Gunnii var. rubida and stellulata, 

 Xerotes longifolia, Rubus parvifolius, Stellaria pungens, 

 Leptospermum flavescens, Callistemon paludosus and 

 Lomatia longifolia. In the water was Potamogeton tri- 

 carinatus and Polygonum hydropiper. Sweet briar is in 

 the greatest profusion. We were surprised that we could 

 see no sign of Casuarina Cunninghamiana lining the banks 

 of the Fish River as far as our vision extended. After 

 passing the Fish River, Sivainsona galegifolia was not 

 rare, and this is probably the supposed "Indigofera" of 

 which Cunningham speaks in his Journal. (Indigofera 

 australis has already been noted). After a somewhat steep 

 hill we cross the Tarana-Oberon road. Here it is five miles 

 to Tarana, where we put up for lodging. 



Resuming our journey from Tarana, we proceeded along 

 the old Oberon road for about two and a half miles, where 

 there is a sign-post, " O'Connell 10 miles," and soon cross 

 the Fish River once more, and shortly afterwards meet 

 Eucalyptus tereticornis for the first time since Penrith, a 

 sure sign that we are descending. At four miles from 

 Tarana along the O'Connell road, we see Eucalyptus 

 Cambagei for the first time. In a little distance we are 

 abreast of Sidmoutk Valley, say a couple of miles to the left. 

 We turn off here to the scene of Surveyor McBrien's gold 



