36 
GRASSY PLAINS. 
In these plains I have constantly traced the remains 
of decayed scrub — generally of a larger growth 
than that surrounding them — and occasionally ap- 
pearing to have grown very densely together. From 
this it would appear that the face of the country in 
those low level regions, occupied by the Eucalyptus 
dumosa, is gradually undergoing a process which is 
changing it for the better, and in the course of cen- 
turies perhaps those parts of Australia which are now 
barren and worthless, may become rich and fertile 
districts, for as soon as the scrub is removed grass 
appears to spring up spontaneously. The plains 
found interspersed among the dense scrubs may 
probably have been occasioned by fires, purposely or 
accidentally lighted by the natives in their wander- 
ings, but I do not think the same explanation would 
apply to those richer plains where the timber has 
been of a large growth and the trees in all proba- 
bility at some distance apart — here fires might burn 
down a few trees, but would not totally annihilate 
them over a whole district, extending for many miles 
in every direction. 
June 26. — This morning brought a very heavy fog, 
through which we literally could not see 100 yards, 
when the party moved on to the “ Hutt” chain of 
ponds, and then followed that watercourse up to the 
Broughton river, which was crossed in Lat. 33° 28' S- 
At this point the bed of the Broughton is of consider- 
able width, and its channel is occupied by long. 
