122 
lagoons and creeks 
rection to examine the country. In doing this, we struck 
on a second branch of the Castlereagh, leading W. by N. 
into a plain, which it of course inundates at times, and 
running up it, we found its bed at the point of separation, 
to be considerably higher than that of the main channel, 
which still continued of pure sand — and was stamped all 
over with the prints of the feet of natives, kangaroos, emus, 
and wild dogs. We then turned again to the head of the la- 
goon, and took the following bearings of Arbuthnot’s 
range ; 
Mount Exmouth E. 30 S. 
Centre Range E. 35 E. 
Vernon’s Peak E. 20 S. 
trom the head of the lagoon, the river appeared to enter 
a reedy hollow, shaded by a long line of flooded-gum-trees . 
and on proceeding to it, we found the ba nk s ceased here al- 
together ; and that a very considerable plain extended both 
to the right and the left, which cannot fail of being frequent- 
ly laid under water. 
On the following morning we moved the party to the 
lagoon, and, passing its head, encamped to the north of it; 
after which we again rode down the river in search of 
water. It continued to hold a straight and northerly course 
for about five miles, having a plain on either side. The 
reeds that had previously covered the channel then sud- 
denly ceased, and the channel, contracting in breadth, 
gained in depth ; it became extremely serpentine, and at 
length lost all the char*cter and appearance of a river. It 
