58 
CONCLUSIONS IN REGARD TO 
obstacles we still had to contend with. Forcing our way 
through bodies of reeds, we at length got on a plain, stretch- 
ing from S. E. to N.W., bounded on the right by a wood 
of blue-gum, under which the reeds still extended, and on 
the left by a wood in which they did not appear to exist. 
Certain that there was no serious obstacle in our way, 
we returned to the men ; and as soon as they had finished 
their meal, led them over the plain in a N. W. by W. direc- 
tion. It was covered with shells, and was full of holes 
from the effects of flood. 
As we were journeying over it, I requested Mr. Hume to 
ride into the wood upon our left, to ascertain if it con- 
cealed any channel. On his return he informed me that 
he descended from the plain into a hollow, the bottom of 
which was covered with small shells and bulrushes. He 
observed a new species of eucalypti, on the trunks of 
which the water-mark was three feet high. After cross- 
ing this hollow, which was about a quarter of a mile in 
breadth, he gained an open forest of box, having good 
grass under it ; and, judging from the appearance of the 
country that no other channel could exist beyond him, 
and that he had ascertained sufiicient for the object I had 
in view, he turned back to the plain. We stopped for the 
night under a wood of box, where the grass, which had 
been burnt down, was then springing up most beautifully 
green, and was relished exceedingly by the animals. 
It was in consequence of our not having crossed any 
channel, while penetrating through the reeds, that could 
