by which it is at times surrounded. Between the
goborro and the yarra there seems this difference:
the yarra grows only on the banks of rivers, lakes,
or ponds, from the water of which the roots derive
nourishment; but when the trunk itself has been too
long immersed the tree dies; as appeared on various
lakes and in reedy swamps on the Lachlan. The
goborro on the contrary seldom grows on the banks
of a running stream, but seems to thrive in inundations,
however long their duration. Mr. Oxley remarked
during his wet journey that there was always water
where these trees grew. We found them in most
cases during a dry season, a sure indication that
none was to be discovered near them. It may be
observed however that all permanent waters are invariably
surrounded by the yarra. These peculiarities
we ascertained only after examining many a hopeless
hollow where grew the goborro by itself; nor until
I had found my sable guides eagerly scanning the yarra
from afar when in search of water, and condemning
any distant view of goborro trees as hopeless during
that dry season. In describing the trees which
ornamented the river scenery I must not omit to mention
a long-leaved acacia whose dark stems and sombre foliage,
drooping over the bank, presented a striking and pleasing
contrast to the yarra trunks, and the light soil of
the water-worn banks. The bimbel (or spear-wood)
which grows on dry forest land, the pine-like Callitris
pyramidalis on red sandhills, and a variety of acacias
in the scrubs, generally present groups of the most
picturesque description.
RETURN TO THE PARTY.
April 26.
We continued towards the camp which I reached at about
nine miles and found that nothing extraordinary had
occurred during my absence. The overseer had
been again to Coccoparra to hunt the wild cattle (by
my orders) yet, although he found a herd and put two
bullets through one animal, all escaped. The
party thought to hem them in by driving them to the
foot of the range; but as soon as the cattle found
themselves beset they climbed, apparently without
much difficulty, the abrupt rocky face of the hills,
throwing down on their ascent the large fragments and
loose stones that lay in their way and which, rolling
down the declivities, checked their pursuers until
the bullocks, wounded and all, escaped.
DEAD BODY FOUND IN THE WATER.
The working cattle had little good grass at the camp,
and another reason I had for quitting it was the state
of the waterhole. Even at first it was small
and the water had a slightly putrid taste, the cause
of which having been discovered, the water had become
still less palatable. Piper, our native interpreter,
in diving for fish on the previous day had, to his
horror, brought up on his spear, instead of a fish,
the putrid leg of a man! Our guide (to the Booraran)
had left the camp during my absence; and it was said
that he was aware of the circumstance of the body of
a native having been thrown into the hole; for he
had abstained from drinking any of the water.