(Footnote.  See Colonel Jackson’s paper also referred to above.)

BLACK SWANS.

Black swans being numerous, we shot several; and found some eggs which we thought a luxury among the bulrushes at the water’s edge.  But we had left, as it seemed, all the good grassy land behind us; for the stringybark and a species of Xanthorrhoea (grass-tree) grew to the water’s edge both where the soil looked black and rich and where it possessed that red colour which distinguishes the best soil in the vicinity of limestone rock.  One or two small tributaries joined the river the principal one coming from the left bank at that point or angle where the great change takes place in its course.  When the sun was near setting we put ashore on this bank and from a tree on the highest part of the country behind it we now once again saw Mount Gambier bearing 57 degrees West of North.

WATER BRACKISH.

Here the water was slightly brackish but still very good for use; the saltness being most perceptible when the water was used for tea.  The river had increased considerably both in width and depth; for here the measured breadth was 101 yards and the mean depth five fathoms. (See section on general Map.) It was upon the whole considering the permanent fulness of its stream the character of its banks and uniformity of width and depth the finest body of fresh water I had seen in Australia; and our hopes were that day sanguine that we should find an outlet to the sea of proportionate magnitude.

August 20.

This morning I found there was a rise of six inches in the river, evidently the effect of tide as the water was brackish although still fit for use.  The reach on which we embarked afforded us a view for a mile further down the river; the vista being truly picturesque and with the interest attached to the scene it looked indeed quite enchanting.  We pulled on through the silent waters, awakening the slumbering echoes with many a shot at the numerous swans or ducks.  At length another change took place in the general course of the river which from west turned to east-south-east.  The height of the banks appeared to diminish rapidly and a very numerous flock of the small sea-swallow or tern indicated our vicinity to the sea.  The slow-flying pelican also with its huge bill pursued, regardless of strangers its straight-forward course over the waters.

ISLE OF BAGS.

A small bushy island next came in sight having on it some rocks resembling what we should have thought a great treasure then, a pile of flour-bags and we named it accordingly the Isle of Bags.

ARRIVAL AT THE SEACOAST.