80 
DESPATCHES TO THE 
the Lake have also prevented, as yet, my extending my researches 
to the north for more than about forty miles farther than I had 
been when last in this neighbourhood. The only change I 
observed, was the increasing barren appearance of the country 
— the decrease in elevation of the ranges — their becoming more 
detached, with sterile valleys between -and the general absence 
of springs ; the rock of the higher ridges, which were very 
rugged and abrupt, was still the same, quartz and ironstone, but 
much more of the latter than I had before seen, and, in some 
cases, with a very great proportion of metal to the stone. The 
lower ridges and steep banks, when w r ashed away by the 
rains, presented great quantities of a very pungent salt to the eye 
of the observer, mixed with the clay and sand of which the banks 
were formed ; and in this neighbourhood the watercourses were 
(though dry) all lined with the salt-water tea- tree — a shrub we 
had never before seen under Flinders range. My next push to 
the north will probably throw some light upon our future pros- 
pects, and I only regret it will not be in my power to commu- 
nicate the intelligence. I intended to have sent his Excellency 
a rough sketch of my last route, but have not been able to get 
it ready in time, and I fear I have already detained the little 
cutter too long : during their detention, I requested the master 
to examine some salt water inlets on the east side of Spencer’s 
Gulf, and he said he would, but I have not yet heard the result of 
his researches. Should he have found, a good landing-place for 
goods, it would be of much importance to the northern parts of 
the colony when they become stocked; and nearly all the country 
as far as the head of the Gulf is more or less adapted for grazing. 
Pray return my best thanks to his Excellency for the abundant 
supply of stores we have received by the Waterwitch — especially 
for the barometer, which has arrived quite safely. I shall take 
great care of it, and shall make observations, whenever practica- 
ble, three times a day — 8, a.m., noon, and 5, p.m. I only re- 
turned late last night, and have been so busy to-day preparing 
every thing for leaving the depot, that I have been obliged to put 
off my writing until night ; and I am now scribbling in the tent, 
