JOS 
RliMARKS ON THE COUNTRY. 
Icnow of it, is far from encouraging. The extent of alluvial 
soil, between the inner and outer banks of the river, is ex- 
tremely limited, and, instead of being covered with sward, 
is in most places over-run by the polygonum. Beyond this 
the plains of the interior stretch away, whose character 
and soil must change, ere they can be available to any 
good purpose. But there is a singular want of vegetable 
decay in the interiorof New Holland, and that powerfully 
argues its recent origin. 
There is no life upon its surface, if I may so express my- 
self; but the stillness of death reigns in its brushes, 
and over its plains. It cannot, however, be doubted that 
we visited the interior during a most unfavorable season. 
Probably in ordinary ones it wears a different appearance, 
but its deserts are of great extent, and its productions are 
of little value. 
Agreeably to our arrangements, we broke up our camp at 
an early hour on the morning of the 12th, and proceeded up 
the river to the junction of New Year’s Creek. We then 
struck away in an easterly direction from it, detaching a 
man to trace the creek up, lest we should pass any water ; 
and we should certainly have been without it had we not 
taken this precaution. 
On the following day, we again passed to the eastward, 
through an open country, having picturesque views of 
Oxley’s Table Land. We crossed our track about noon, 
and struck on the creek at about five miles beyond it, and 
we were fortunate enough to procure both water and grass. 
