VIEW OF INTERIOR WATER. 
475 
interior beyond the ranges was perfectly impracticable. This 
morning Mr. Poole returned, and informed me that, from the top 
of the ranges he ascended, he had a view of distant ranges to the 
north and north-west, as far as he could see ; that from south-west 
to west to 13° east of north, there was water extending, amidst which 
there were numerous islands ; that there was a very distant high 
peak, which appeared to be surrounded by water, which shewed 
as a dark blue line along the horizon. The country between him 
and the more distant ranges appeared to be level, and was similar 
in aspect to the plains we had traversed when approaching the 
hills, which were covered with spear grass, a grass of which the 
animals are fond, and thin green shrubs. 
“ I will not venture a conjecture as to the nature of the country 
whose features have been thus partially developed to us. How 
far these waters may stretch, and what the character of the 
ranges is, it is impossible to say, but that there is a good country 
at no great distance, I have every reason to hope. Mr. Poole 
states that the small scolloped parroquets passed over his head 
from the north-west in thousands ; and he observed many new 
birds. I am therefore led to hope, that, as these first are evi- 
dently strong on the wing on their arrival here, that the lands 
from which they come are not very remote from us. So soon as 
I shall have verified my position in a satisfactory manner, — 
which a clouded sky has hitherto prevented my doing, — we shall 
move to the ranges, and leaving my drays in a safe place, shall 
proceed with the horse teams to a closer examination of the 
country, and, if I should find an open sea to north-west, shall 
embark upon it with an ample supply of provisions and water, 
and coast it round. The reports of the fine interior, which we 
have heard from the natives, are so contradictory, that it is im- 
possible to place any reliance in them ; but Toonda informs us 
that the water Mr. Poole has seen is fresh — but as we are not 
more than two hundred and fifteen feet above the sea, and are 
so near Lake Torrens, I can hardly believe that such can be the 
case. It is a problem, however, that will now very soon be 
solved, and I most sincerely trust this decided change in the 
barrenness of the land will lead us to a rich and available country. 
