188 
WOMBAT HOLES. 
deep lake, with but a few hundred yards of a steep 
high bank, intervening between it and the sea ; the 
latter was rapidly encroaching upon this barrier, and 
would probably in the course of a few years more 
force a way through, and lay under water a consider- 
able extent of low country in that vicinity. Around 
the margin of the lake was abundance of good grass, 
but the bank between it and the sea was high and 
very rocky. 
After leaving the lake we entered upon a suc- 
cession of low grassy hills but most dreadfully stony, 
and at night encamped upon a swamp, after a stage 
of about sixteen miles. Here we procured abundance 
of good water by digging through the limestone 
crust, near the surface. The country around was 
still of the same character as before, but amidst the 
never-ceasing strata of limestone which everywhere 
protruded, were innumerable large wombat holes — 
yet strange to say not one of these was tenanted. 
The whole fraternity of these animals appeared to 
have been cut off altogether in some unaccountable 
manner, or to have migrated simultaneously to some 
other part. No emus or kangaroos were to be seen 
anywhere, and the whole region around wore a 
singularly wild and deserted aspect. 
October 29. — Our route was again over low stony 
hills, but with rather better valleys between them ; 
this kind of country appeared to extend from five 
to twelve miles inland from the coast, and then 
