miles.  The country which we had crossed this day was of a somewhat different character from any yet passed, consisting of low, bare eminences, bounding extensive open plains on which were hollows on a clay bottom surrounded by Polygonum junceum, and evidently the receptacles of water at other times.  The hills, if the bare eminences might be so-called, were composed of a red sandy soil producing only salsolae and composite plants, but no grass.  This red sand was so loose that the wheels of the carts sank in it at some places to the axles.  There were bold undulations where we encamped; all declining towards the hollow connected with the river.  There was also a little hill overlooking plains to the north and west.  We passed a solitary tree of a remarkable character, related to Banisteria, the wood being white and close-grained, much resembling beech.  As it pleased the carpenters I gathered some of the seeds.  This evening by observation of the star alpha Crucis I ascertained the variation to be 7 degrees 52 minutes 15 seconds East.

June 17.

We descried, from a tree not far from the camp, hills to the westward, and the interest with which we now daily watched the horizon may easily be imagined, for on the occurrence and direction of ridges of high land depended the course of the Darling and its union with other rivers, or discharge into the sea on the nearest line of coast.  A range extending from west to north-west was in sight, also a lower ridge, but apparently on the other side of the river.  The cattle having separated on its banks during the night they were not brought up so early as usual; and in the interim I endeavoured to repair the barometer, which was out of order.  This accident had occurred in consequence of the man having carried it, contrary to my orders, slung round his body instead of holding it in his hand.  Much of the quicksilver had shaken out of the bag and lodged in the lower part of the cylinder; but by filing the brass and letting off this mercury the instrument was rendered once more serviceable.  We travelled this day due west, and at the end of 7 1/2 miles we encamped on a bend of the river where the water was deep, and the banks rather low, but very steep.  The sky became overcast, almost for the first time since we had advanced into these interior regions, and at sunset it began to rain.  The position of the hills and the direction of the river were here particularly interesting, as likely soon to decide the question respecting the ultimate course of this solitary stream on which our lives depended in this dry and naked wilderness!

June 18.

The morning was fine as usual, the rain which fell during the night had only laid the dust.  We proceeded south-west until the bends of the river obliged me to move still more to the southward.  The hills on the opposite bank at length receded, and we saw before us only a wide desert plain where nothing seemed to move, and the only indication of life throughout this melancholy waste was a distant column of dark smoke ascending in remarkable density to the sky.  In the afternoon, the wind blowing keenly from the west-south-west, we encamped amongst some polygonum bushes near the river after travelling 10 1/4 miles.