quarter.  We had undoubtedly struck below to the westward of the Colare or Lachlan, and the creek was the channel of communication between it and the Morumbidgee, at least such was the natural conclusion at which I arrived.  Having no further object in continuing a northerly course, we turned to the S.E., and, after again passing the creek, struck away for the camp on a S. by W. course, and passed through a dense brush of cypress and casuarina in our way to it.

Connection of lachlan with Morumbidgee.

Considering our situation as connected with the marshes of the Lachlan, I cannot but infer that the creek we struck upon during this excursion serves as a drain to the latter, to conduct its superfluous waters into the Morumbidgee in times of flood, as those of the Macquarie are conducted by the creek at the termination of its marshes into Morrisset’s Chain of Ponds.  It will be understood that I only surmise this.  I argue from analogy, not from proof.  Whether I am correct or not, my knowledge of the facts I have stated, tended very much to satisfy my mind as to the lay of the interior; and to revive my hopes that the Morumbidgee would not fail us, although there was no appearance of the country improving.

Country covered with reeds.

We started on the 26th, on a course somewhat to the N.W., and traversed plains of the same wearisome description as those I have already described.  The wheels of the drays sank up to their axle-trees, and the horses above their fetlocks at every step.  The fields of polygonum spread on every side of us like a dark sea, and the only green object within range of our vision was the river line of trees.  In several instances, the force of both teams was put to one dray, to extricate it from the bed into which it had sunk, and the labour was considerably increased from the nature of the weather.  The wind was blowing as if through a furnace, from the N.N.E., and the dust was flying in clouds, so as to render it almost suffocating to remain exposed to it.  This was the only occasion upon which we felt the hot winds in the interior.  We were, about noon, endeavouring to gain a point of a wood at which I expected to come upon the river again, but it was impossible for the teams to reach it without assistance.  I therefore sent M’Leay forward, with orders to unload the pack animals as soon as he should make the river, and send them back to help the teams.  He had scarcely been separated from me 20 minutes, when one of the men came galloping back to inform me that no river was to be found—­that the country beyond the wood was covered with reeds as far as the eye could reach, and that Mr. M’Leay had sent him back for instructions.  This intelligence stunned me for a moment or two, and I am sure its effect upon the men was very great.  They had unexpectedly arrived at a part of the interior similar to one they had held in dread, and conjured up a thousand difficulties