NATIVES VERY SHY.

The natives peeped over the reeds at us from a considerable distance; and some of those whom Piper saw when in search of the men with the cattle, immediately jumped into the river, carrying their spears and boomerangs with them.  We had not proceeded above a mile and a half when I perceived among the reeds close to the berg on which we were travelling a small, deep and still branch of the river, apparently connected with numerous others, in all of which the water was quite still, although it had the same muddy colour as that flowing in the river, and they seemed to be equally deep.  These still channels wound in all directions among the reeds.  Further on the water was not even confined to such canals, large spaces between them being inundated, and lofty gum (or yarra) trees stood even in the water.  Light appeared at length through the wood before us, which soon terminated on a sea of reeds bounded only by the horizon.  On ascending some sandhills confining this basin of reeds on our side, I observed a low grassy ridge with pines upon it, and forming a limit to the reedy basin, except in a part of the horizon which bore 14 degrees South of East.  A broad sheet of water (probably only an inundation occasioned by the late rain) filled the centre of the reedy space.  About six miles from our last camp we came upon the river flowing with a strong current; and at its full width the water not more than a foot below the level of the right bank.  Thus the Murray seemed to flow through that reedy expanse, unmarked in its course by trees or bushes, although one or two distant clumps of yarra probably grew on the banks of the permanent stream.  At two miles further on these trees again grew plentifully, close under the berg along which we travelled, and where I hoped again to see the river.  We found however that the yarras only enclosed shallow lagoons; and on a small oasis of dry ground near one of them we encamped for the night.  A species of solanum forming a very large bush was found this day in the scrub, also several interesting shrubs, and among them some fine specimens of that rare one, the Eucarya murrayana.  But in all these scrubs on the Murray the Fusanus acuminatus is common and produces the quandang nut (or kernel) in such abundance that it and gum acacia may in time become articles of commerce in Australia.*

(Footnote.  Having brought home specimens of most of the woods of the interior, I find that several of the acacias would be valuable for ornamental work, having a pleasing perfume resembling that of a rose.  Some are of a dark colour of various shades and very compact; others light-coloured and resembling in texture box or lancewood.  The new caper tree also resembles the latter so much as not to be distinguished from it.  Specimens of these woods may be seen at Hallet’s, Number 83 High Holborn.)

June 20.