80 
FOSSIL FORMATION. 
trees, and having granite elevations scattered over 
its surface at intervals. Under these hills fresh 
water swamps and native wells were constantly met 
with, and at one of them we encamped for the night, 
after a stage of about four miles. 
During the day, we passed a variety of beautiful 
shrubs, and among them were many different kind 
of Banksias, one was quite new to me, and had a 
scarlet flower, which was very handsome. The 
fossil formation still constituted the geological 
character of the country, most of the lower ridges of 
rock intervening between the various hills of granite, 
exhibiting shells in great abundance. In the more 
level parts, the surface was so coated over with sand, 
that nothing else could be seen. I have no doubt, 
however, that the whole of the substrata would have- 
been found an uninterrupted continuation of the 
tertiary deposit. 
At night I observed native fires about a mile from 
us, in a direction towards the sea ; but the natives 
did not come near us, nor was I myself anxious to 
come into communication with them whilst my party 
was so small. 
The evening had set in with steady rain, which 
continuing with little intermission during the night, 
wet us considerably. 
June 16. — This morning, I found I had caught 
cold, and was very unwell. Upon leaving the en- 
campment, we steered N. 30° W. to clear a rocky 
hill, passing which, on our left at six miles, we 
