158 
termination of the Murray 
tainly distant forty miles. They had a regular unbroken out- 
line; declining gradually to the south, but terminating 
abruptly at a lofty mountain northerly. I had no doubt on 
my mind of this being the Mount Lofty of Captain Flinders ; 
or that the range was that immediately to the eastward of 
St. Vincent’s Gulf. — Since the accident to the chronometer, 
we had not made any westing, so that we knew our posi- 
tion as nearly as possible. Between us and the ranges a 
beautiful promontory shot into the lake, being a continua- 
tion of the right bank of the Murray. Over this promontory 
the waters stretched to the base of the ranges, and formed 
an extensive bay. To the N.W. the country was exceedingly 
low, but distant peaks were just visible over it. To the S.W. 
a bold headland shewed itself; beyond which, to the west- 
ward, there was a clear and open sea visible, through a strait 
formed by this headland and a point projecting from the op- 
posite shore. To the E. and S.E. the country was low, ex- 
cepting the left shore of the lake, which was backed by 
some minor elevations, crowned with cypresses. Even while 
gazing on this fine scene, I could not but regret that the 
Murray had thus terminated ; for I immediately foresaw 
that, in all probability, we should be disappointed in find- 
ing any practicable communication between the lake and 
the ocean, as it was evident that the former was not much 
influenced by tides. The wind had again increased ; it 
still blew fresh from the S.W., and a heavy sea was 
rolling direct into the mouth of the river. I hoped, 
notwithstanding, that we should have been enabled to 
