24 
the James Range. At one and a half miles we crossed the Walker 
Creek, a gum creek having a sandy channel, equal in size to that 
of the Palmer. At two anda half miles we reached the break in 
the range, which I found very rough yet passable for the camels. 
At three and a half miles we altered our course to 258° 20’, across 
splendidly-grassed saltbush and cotton-bush flats, lightly timbered 
with gums and acacias. At one and a half miles we passed some 
high sandstone rocks, and at five miles arrived at the Petermann 
Creek. After prolonged search a difficult crossing was found. 
Further vexatious delays occurred through the loads shifting. 
Finally, however, we managed to get the pack camels across this 
ereek, which is about 40yds. wide with high precipitous banks; its 
gum timber is similar to that on the Palmer, being mostly young 
saplings. At five and a half miles we crossed a gum creek, Undia, 
coming from the ranges to the south. At seven and a half miles 
a spur of the Levi Range approached the Petermann Creek ; and 
at eight and a quarter miles I found a shallow waterhole about 
300yds. long and ldyds. wide, at which I decided to camp. The 
country passed over to-day is most magnificently grassed, and good 
saltbush and cotton-bush are enemas abundant. This camp, 
which is 1,888ft. above sea level, will be the scene of our first 
depot. I have, therefore, had the tents erected and arrangements 
made for a prolonged stay.. The Levi Range, a sandstone formation 
of about the same elevation as the James Range, is about half a 
mile to the south of our camp, and now has an abrupt and wall- 
like appearance, assuming the character of an amphitheatre. 
Sunday, June 38rd.—Camp No. 265, Petermann Creek; bar. 
28°06in., ther. 30°; height 1,888ft. Mr. Watt being desirous of 
examining the genilogionl structure of Levi's: Range, I ordered 
Tommy, one of the Ber boys, to accompany him thither. Both 
returned at dusk. <A general overhaul and re-arrangement of the 
loading were made with the view of reducing the burdens as much 
as possible, as we have to take a fresh supply of rations from here. 
These stores are now overdue—they ought to have come to hand 
two days ago. Mr. Keartland and Mr. Belt were busy all day pre- 
serving and skinning birds for the ornithological collection. I was 
engaged in bringing my work up to date and in obtaining various 
meteorological observations. Some natives approached Levi's 
Range to-day, but they ran awav as soon as they found themselves 
observed. ‘Towards evening the sky became overcast, presenting 
every appearance of coming rain. This prevented me from verify- 
ing the position of the camp, although I waited till long past 
midnight in the hope of obtaining satisfactory observations. 
Monday, June 4th.—Camp No. 25; bar. 23:16in., ther. 56°. 
