60 
SITUATION OF THE PAKTY. 
the bottom of the marshes. We did not find any ac- 
cumulation of rubbish to indicate a rush of water to any 
one point; but numerous minor channels existed to distri- 
bute the floods equally and generally over every part of the 
area subject to them, and the marks of inundation and 
subsidence were everywhere the same. The plain we had 
last crossed, was, in like manner, covered with shells, so 
that we could not yet be said to be out of the influence of 
the marshes ; besides which we had not crossed the hollow 
noticed by Mr. Hume, which it was clear we should do, 
sooner or later. 
To have remained in our position would have been im- 
possible, as there was no water either for ourselves or the 
animals ; to have descended into the reeds again, for the 
purpose of carrying on a minute survey, would, under 
existing circumstances, have been imprudent. Our pro- 
visions were running short, and if a knowledge of the dis- 
tant interior was to be gained, we had no time to lose. It 
was determined, therefore, to defer our further examina- 
tion of the marshes to the period of our return • and to 
pursue such a course as would soonest and most effectually 
enable us to determine the character of the western 
interior. 
