118 
mokrisset’s ponds. 
pendula succeeding the larger trees. The ground had a 
good covering of grass upon it, and there were few of the 
salsolaceous plants, so abundant on the western plains, 
to be found. The rough-gum abounded near the creek, 
with a small tree bearing a hard round nut, and we had 
the luxury of plenty of water. 
We remained stationary on the 8th, in hopes that Riley 
would have met the soldier who had been sent back to Wel- 
lington Valley, and that he would have forwarded any 
letters to us, of which he might have been the bearer. 
The day, however, passed over without realizing our ex- 
pectations; and we started once more for the interior, 
and cut ourselves off from all communication with society. 
We made for Morrisset’s chain of ponds, and travelled 
over rich and extensive plains, divided by plantations of 
cypress, box, and casuarina, in the early and latter period 
of the day. About noon we entered a dense forest of cy- 
presses, which continued for three miles, when the cypresses 
became mixed with casuarina, box, and mountain-gum, a 
tree we had not remarked before in so low a situation. We 
struck upon the creek after a journey of about 15 miles. 
It had a sandy bed, and was extremely tortuous in its 
course, nor was it until after a considerable search, that 
we at length succeeded in finding water, at which a party 
of natives were encamped. The moment they saw us, they 
fled, and left all their utensils, &c. behind them. Among 
other things, we found a number of bark troughs, filled with 
the gum of the mimosa, and vast quantities of gum made 
