RETURN TO MOUNT HARRIS. 
149 
52' S. and E. Ion. 147“ 8' at about 90 miles to the N. N. W. 
of MountHarris, and about an equal distance to the E. S. E. 
of where we struck upon the last-mentioned river. Thus it 
is evident that the Darling had considerably neared the eas- 
tern ranges, although it was still more than 150 miles from 
their base. It was apparently coming from the N. E., and 
whether it has its sources in the mountains behind our dis- 
tant settlements, -or still farther to the northwards, is a 
question of curious speculation, although, as I have already 
stated, I am of opinion that none but tropical rains could 
supply the furious torrent that must sometimes rage in it. 
It would be presumptuous to hazard any opinion as to the 
nature of the interior to the westward of that remarkable 
river. Its course is involved in equal mystery, and it is a 
matter of equal doubt whether it makes its way to the south 
coast, or ultimately exhausts itself in feeding a succession 
of swamps, or falls into a large reservoir in the centre of 
the island. 
We reached Mount Harris on the 7th of the month, and 
moving leisurely up the banks of the Macquarie, gained Mr. 
Palmer’s first station on the 14th, and Wellington Valley on 
the 21st, having been absent from that settlement four 
months and two weeks. The waters of the Macquarie had 
diminished so much, that its bed was dry for more than half 
a mile at a stretch, nor did we observe the least appearance 
of a current in it, until after we had ascended the ranges. 
The lower tribes were actually starving, and brought their 
children to us to implore something to eat. The men at- 
