CONNECTION OF LACHLAN WITH MORUMBIDGEE. 65 
posite quarter. We had undoubtedly struck below to the 
westward of the Colare or Lachlan, and the creek was the 
channel of communication between it and the Morumbidgee, 
at least such was the natural conclusion at which I arrived. 
Having no further object in continuing a northerly course, we 
turned to the S. E., and, after again passing the creek, struck 
away for the camp on a S. by W. course, and passed through 
a dense brush of cypress and casuarina in our way to it. 
Considering our situation as connected with the marshes 
of the Lachlan, I cannot but infer that the creek we 
struck upon during this excursion serves as a drain to 
the latter, to conduct its superfluous waters into the 
Morumbidgee in times of flood, as those of the Macquarie 
are conducted by the creek at the termination of its 
marshes into Morrisset’s Chain of Ponds. It will be under- 
stood that I only surmise this. I argue from analogy, not 
from proof. Whether I am correct or not, my knowledge 
of the facts 1 have stated, tended very much to satisfy my 
mind as to the lay of the interior ; and to revive my hopes 
that the Morumbidgee would not fail us, although there 
was no appearance of the country improving. 
We started on the 26th, on a course somewhat to the 
N.W., and traversed plains of the same wearisome descrip- 
tion as those I have already described. The wheels of the 
drays sank up to their axle-trees, and the horses above their 
fetlocks at every step. The fields of polygonum spread 
on every side of us like a dark sea, and the only green ob- 
ject within range of our vision was the river line of trees. 
VOL. If. 
F 
