NATURE OF THE COUNTRY. 
31 
river side. For, although it was evident that we had arrived 
at what might strictly be called the marshes of the Macqua- 
rie, I still thought we might be at some distance from the 
place where Mr. Oxley terminated his journey. 
There was no indication in the river to encourage an idea 
that it would speedily terminate ; nor, although we were 
onground subject to extensive inundation, could we be said 
to have reached the heart of the marshes, as the reeds still 
continued in detached bodies only. We forced a path 
through various portions of them, and passed over ground 
wholly subject to flood, to a distance of about six miles. 
We then crossed a small rise of ground, sufficiently high 
to have afforded a retreat, had necessity obliged us to 
seek for one ; and we shortly afterwards descended on the 
the river, unaltered in its appearance, and rather increased 
than diminished in size. A vast plain extended to the 
N.W., the extremity of which we could not discern; though 
a thick forest formed its northern boundary. 
It was evident that this plain had been frequently under 
water, but it was difficult to judge from the marks on the 
trees to what height the floods had risen. The soil was an 
alluvial deposit, superficially sandy ; and many shells were 
scattered over its surface. To the south, the country ap- 
peared close and low ; nor do I think we could have ap- 
proached the river from that side, by reason of the huge belts 
of reeds that appeared to extend as far as the eye could reach. 
The approach of night obliged us to return to the camp. 
On our arrival, we found that the state of Hen wood and 
