close to the junction of the Strelley, and must be a very considerable outlet for the water during the summer rains.  I regretted much not having time to trace this branch of the DeGrey to its mouth, as it might be found to be navigable, and afford a fine site for a seaport town.  Fresh water is abundant, and building stone procurable in any quantity being found in the immediate vicinity on land superior to inundation.  We remained at the junction the rest of the day.  Camp 92.

The Strelley river.

1st October.

As the plains were now dry and parched, we determined to follow up the Strelley to the ranges before striking west to the Yule.  At first the river spread out into so many wide grassy channels that it was difficult to trace it; but at four or five miles collected into one bed, about 100 yards wide, in which were a few small pools.  Up to this point the country had been fertile, the soil being an alluvial clay, resulting from volcanic rocks; but after getting clear of the line of hills, the soil became poor and hungry, yielding little else but triodia and acacia bushes; water was procured in several places in the course of the day’s march; our course having been nearly due south.  Camp 93.

Latitude 20 degrees 32 minutes 30 seconds.

2nd October.

The river led us this morning a little to the eastward of south, through a country very similar to yesterday.  Late in the day we crossed a considerable tributary coming from the south-east, which was now quite dry, and takes its rise in a bold range of granite hills now visible to the southward, at the distance of ten or twelve miles, and forms a part of the main tableland of this part of the coast; the plain we had been passing over being only a sea-flat, with a few detached ranges widely scattered over its surface.  The river now began to trend to the westward, granite rocks showing themselves on the surface in large masses.  Water was occasionally procurable, which was very important, as the horses could not travel many hours without it, although the heaviest packs were reduced below 100 pounds.  We had now only six saddle-horses, so that two of the party had to walk by turns for an hour at a time.  We halted late in latitude 20 degrees 45 minutes 17 seconds.  Camp 94.

3rd October.

Started at 6.30 a.m., and in an hour came upon a fine pool in the granite, which was very acceptable, as we had encamped overnight without any water.  The channel of the river here deepened considerably, was full of rocks, and contained plenty of water.  Skirting the ranges for some distance, several tributaries joined from the southward.  The country, although rocky, improved much in general appearance; grass was abundant, and game frequently met with.  At night we encamped on a small pool in the bed of the river about five miles from the foot of the range.  Cockatoos and pigeons came in great numbers to drink at the pool about sundown.  Camp 95.