We struck the Darling River in lat. 29 degrees 37 minutes S. and in E. long. 145 degrees 33 minutes, and traced it down for about sixty-six miles in a direct line to the S.W.  If I might hazard an opinion from appearance, to whatever part of the interior it leads, its source must be far to the N.E. or N. The capacity of its channel, and the terrific floods that must sometimes rage in it, would argue that it is influenced by tropical rains, which alone would cause such floods.  It is likely that it seldom arrives at so reduced a state as that in which we found it, and that, generally speaking, it has a sufficient depth of water for the purposes of inland navigation:  in such case its future importance cannot be questioned, since it most probably receives the chief streams falling westerly from the coast ranges.  But, with every anticipation of the benefit that may at some time or other be derived from this remarkable and central stream, it is incumbent on me to state that the country, through which it flows, holds out but little prospect of advantage.  Certainly the portion we know of it, is far from encouraging.  The extent of alluvial soil, between the inner and outer banks of the river, is extremely limited, and, instead of being covered with sward, is in most places over-run by the polygonum.  Beyond this the plains of the interior stretch away, whose character and soil must change, ere they can be available to any good purpose.  But there is a singular want of vegetable decay in the interior of New Holland, and that powerfully argues its recent origin.

Remarks on the country.

There is no life upon its surface, if I may so express myself; but the stillness of death reigns in its brushes, and over its plains.  It cannot, however, be doubted that we visited the interior during a most unfavorable season.  Probably in ordinary ones it wears a different appearance, but its deserts are of great extent, and its productions are of little value.

Agreeably to our arrangements, we broke up our camp at an early hour on the morning of the 12th, and proceeded up the river to the junction of New Year’s Creek.  We then struck away in an easterly direction from it, detaching a man to trace the creek up, lest we should pass any water; and we should certainly have been without it had we not taken this precaution.

On the following day, we again passed to the eastward, through an open country, having picturesque views of Oxley’s Table Land.  We crossed our track about noon, and struck on the creek at about five miles beyond it, and we were fortunate enough to procure both water and grass.  The timber upon the plains, between us and the Darling, we found to be a rough gum, but box prevailed in the neighbourhood of the creek at this part of it.

On the 14th, we changed our direction more to the southward, but made a short journey, in consequence of being obliged to make some slight repairs on the boat carriage.