186 
SALT LAKES. 
those hollows, that were surrounded by gum-trees, to 
which they retired for shelter during the heat of the 
day. We encamped at night in the midst of many 
of these salt lakes, without any water, but the grass 
was good. Our stage had been 25 miles upon a 
course of N. 25° W. After watching the horses for 
a few hours, we tied them up for the night, not 
daring to trust them loose without water. A few 
natives had been seen during the day, but they ran 
away. 
A singular feature attending the salt lakes, or the 
hollows where water had formerly lodged, was the 
existence of innumerable small stones, resembling 
biscuits or cakes in shape, perfectly circular and flat, 
but a little convexed in the upper surface, they were 
of various sizes, and appeared to consist of lime, 
being formed into their present shape by the action 
of water. Very similar ones have since been found 
in the volcanic region near Mount Gambier, on the 
southern coast of New Holland. From our present 
camp were seen before us to the north-west some low 
green looking ranges, lightly timbered, and promis- 
ing a better country than we had hitherto met with. 
October 27. — Having arrived at the hills, in 
about three miles, we found them abundantly 
grassed, but very rugged and rocky, of an oolitic 
limestone formation, with occasionally a light red- 
dish soil covering the rock in the flats and valleys. 
Between these ranges and the sea, which was about 
a mile beyond them, were rather high sand hills, 
