Interior of New South Wales. 
177 
2,000 feet; yet this we were only made aware of by the extreme 
cold, or by the barometer, for there is nothing in the appearance 
of the country to lead to such conclusion ; on almost every clear 
night, Farenheit’s thermometer fell to 9°, and occasionally at 
4 a.m. the mercury was as low as 7°. 
The height of this spinal range, throwing off to the south-west 
all rivers south of it, and the course of the Belyando northward, 
vindicating an impulse so far in that direction, reduce the proba¬ 
bility that the waters falling from that portion of it, still further 
westward, form a river running to the Gulf almost to a certainty, 
while the field of exploration has been so much narrowed, that I 
am resolved to make another attempt to solve the question; 
therefore, although my draught animals can be driven no further 
without having some time to rest, and my stock of provisions 
is nearly exhausted, I intend to set out to-morrow morning 
on this interesting excursion, with two men and Yuranigh, an. 
aboriginal native, who came with me from Buree. I leave no 
more horses fit for work when I take two laden with provisions.' 
Our route has been measured by Mr. Kennedy, with the chain, 
from Cannonbacamp to his present position on the Maranoa, and 
I have extended a trigonometrical survey beyond Mount Mudge 
to some hills within the tropic. I have numbered these camps, 
where the country was really good, and marked them by Roman 
numerals, deeply cut in trees, commencing from the Culgba 
northward; the lowest on the Belyando being LXIX; this, 
whence I write, XLIV. By this means I hope our survey will be 
found practically useful in the future occupation of the country. 
Whatever may be the result of the further exploration contem¬ 
plated, I have the satisfaction to be able to assure your Excellency 
that this party has opened a good cart road through well watered 
pastoral regions of greater extent than all those at present 
occupied by the squatters; and, strange as it may seem to 
persons but [little] acquainted with the interior of this country, 
that since the exploring party crossed the Darling, it has never 
suffered any inconvenience from heat or want of water. I have 
found in Mr. Kennedy a zealous assistant. Mr. Stephenson 
lias ably performed his duties, especially as surgeon; and the 
