CLIMATE AND SEASONS. 
71 
flourishing, and of giant growth ; but we were equally 
unable to discover water in these, # as in those where 
the trees were decaying or withered. 
July 17. — To-day we returned to our tempo- 
rary camp, tracing up various branches of the water- 
courses as we went along, but without finding water. 
Many of the ranges in our route consisted of masses 
of ironstone, apparently containing a very large 
proportion of metal. In one place, I found a mineral 
which I took to be tin ore ; the loss, however, of all 
the geological specimens I collected, after their arrival 
in Adelaide, has unfortunately put it now beyond my 
power to test any of the rocks or minerals, about which 
I was doubtful. As we encamped early, and I was 
desirous of recruiting the horses, I employed myself 
in taking an observation for latitude, whilst the 
black boy went out to look for an opossum. He 
succeeded in bringing in a fine large one, which 
formed a welcome addition to our meagre fare. The 
nights were still very frosty. 
July 18. — In travelling to “Depot Pool,” 
the native boy caught another opossum, and we 
again halted early in the day for the sake of resting 
the horses. 
July 19. — Concealing among some rocks every 
thing we did not absolutely require, we descended 
towards the plains, searching as we went, for the 
most favourable line of road to them, for the 
* We had no means with us of digging — possibly moisture 
existed below the surface where the trees were so large and green. 
