the callitris tribe, after we had crossed the first hill beyond our last camp on the Namoi.  On the contrary, these casuarinae scrubs and grassy plains seemed to characterise the country to the westward and northward of the Nundewar range, as far, at least, as we had yet penetrated.  The course of this chain of ponds appeared to be parallel to that on which we had previously encamped, 36 degrees North of West.  A yellow, highly calcareous sandstone occurred in the bed and banks of this stream, forming a stratum from two or three feet in thickness, and in parts of the upper surface nodules of ironstone were embedded.

On examining our wheels, we found that the heat had damaged them very much, some of the spokes having shrunk more than an inch.  The carpenter managed however to repair them this day.

January 8.

The morning was cool and pleasant, with a breeze from the west.  We left the ponds (named Wheel Ponds) exactly at six A.M., and, after travelling a mile, entered a scrub through which we were compelled to cut a lane with axes, for three miles; when at length the wood opened, and some trees of that species of eucalyptus called box grew on the flats.  At five miles from our camp I shot a kangaroo.

MEET WITH NATIVES.

At seven miles, as we entered a forest,* we heard the sound of the natives’ hatchets, and we saw soon after their fires at a distance.  We at length came unawares upon a native in a tree, for he was so busy at work cutting out an opossum, that he did not see us, until we were very near him.  A gin and child gave the alarm, upon which he stared at the strange assemblage with a look of horror, and immediately calling to the female in an authoritative tone, she disappeared in the woods.  He then threw a club, or nulla-nulla, to the foot of the tree, and ascended to the highest branch.  I called to him, and made such signs as I thought most likely to give him confidence and remove his apprehensions of harm; but apparently to no purpose, for his reply was “Ogai!” pronounced in a loud imperative tone.  I thought it best to proceed quietly on our way; whereupon he descended and ran off, having picked up two spears which lay near the tree.  We heard calls in various directions, and witefellow pronounced very loudly and distinctly.  Witefellow, or wite ma, appears to be their name (of course derived from us) for our race, and this appellation probably accompanies the first intelligence of such strangers to the most remote, interior regions.

(Footnote.  A forest means in New South Wales, an open wood, with grass.  The common bush or scrub consists of trees and saplings, where little grass is to be found.)

CROSS THE DRY BED OF A RIVER.

We soon after came upon the bank of a river-course, in the bed of which, although deep, broad, and gravelly, there was no water; its general direction was westward.  At eight miles we entered upon an extensive, open plain, which reached to the horizon in the direction of 10 degrees West of North.  We crossed it, continuing our journey northward, until a thick scrub obliged me to turn to the east.