22 
Report of the Expedition 
I called it “ Comet River,” as I saw the fine comet (of the 29tl^ 
December, 1844,) in travelling along its banks. It comes fron) 
downs and plains to the westward, and is accompanied by a nar\ 
row strip of open forest land, hemmed in by scrub, which lowe\- 
down takes entire possession of its banks, until it joins a fine rivev 
(the Mackenzie,) well supplied with water, its water-holes forming 
broad stretches of two, three, to ten miles, full of excellent anq 
various fishes, and of fresh-water muscles, which appear to forOt 
the principal food of the natives. The Comet River is badly 
supplied with water. From latitude 24 deg. 25 min. to almost, 
23 deg. 41 min. its bed was entirely dry, small water-holes sup% 
plied by late thunder-storms assisting us to pass over this thirsty 
country. As it approaches the Mackenzie, the supply of wate* 
increases, and from latitude 23 deg. 41 min. to 23 deg. 34 min, 
fine numerous water-holes are found in the bed of the creek. Thq 
valley of scrubs between Expedition and Christinas ranges ant) 
the Comet River is not available for any pastoral purpose. Thq 
sportsman alone would be remunerated by rich sport in thq 
detached patches of scrub surrounded by vervain and sow-thistles 
plains, which teem with kangaroos. 
The Mackenzie comes from the westward. I should have foK 
lowed it up to its head, if the scrub which lined its banks had not 
made it advisable to follow it down, in order to come to a more 
open country. The heads of the Mackenzie are, however, a very 
interesting point, as they will lead to a water-shed between the 
eastern and western waters, it is the only easterly water 1 
passed, with the exception of Comet River, the heads of which 
remained unknown. 
The Mackenzie winds through a peculiar country. Its valley 
is deep and narrow; on its left side a high level country extends, 
near the river with belts of scrub, farther off with plains and open 
forest—generally box forest; but these plains and open forest are 
again lined by scrub. From time to time sandstone crops out in 
the deep cut creeks which join the river, or in the banks of the 
river itself. In one of these sections several layers of fine coal 
were found, identical with the formation of the Newcastle coal. 
Rounded pieces of coal had been found in the bed of the river, 
