expert and careful in its use it is probable that his marks are but little less legible.  The recovery of the mule being now past all hope the Brothers determined to push on, thankful that they were certain of water for one stage.  It was the more necessary, as two of the party, Scrutton and Cowderoy, were getting ill from the effects of the bad water.  At this camp Mr. Richardson fixed the variation at 40 east.  He had hitherto used a variation of 6 degrees in his plotting.

‘December’ 13.—­The Leader intended to have camped to-day on the creek, found by his brother on the 11th, but whilst ahead looking for a good camp for the morrow, he came at five miles further on, to what he took to be the “Rocky Creek” of Leichhardt.  He turned back therefore and fetched the cattle on to it, making 13 instead of 8 miles.  But on turning out it was found that the water was not drinkable, although the lagoon was covered with nympheas, generally supposed to grow only in fresh water.  These were white instead of blue, which might be from the effect of the salt.  However at a mile up the creek, a fine reach of good water was found, two miles long and sixty yards wide.  The bed of the creek contained sandstone rock, was well grassed, and where crossed, ran about east and north.  A fine barramundi was caught in it, and Alexander Jardine shot six whistling ducks in the first creek.  The country traversed to-day alternated between extensive marine plains, covered with “pigs face,” (’Misembrianthemum Iriangularis’), and crusted with salt, and low undulating tea-tree, and banksia ridges.  Birds were very plentiful, large flocks of native companions (’Gurus Antigen,’) stalked over the marine plains, and when seen at the distance had the appearance of a flock of sheep, gigantic cranes, pelicans, and ibis were numerous, whilst in the lagoons of the creek, nearly every kind of water-fowl common to Queensland, was found, except the coot and pigmy goose, plover and snipe were abundant, also the elegant Burdekin duck, and a small crane was noticed having a dark blue head and body, with white throat and neck. (Camp XXXIX.) Lat. 16 degrees 3 minutes 38 seconds.  A tree was marked F. J. in heart on one side, and 39 in square on the other.

‘December’ 14.—­To-day the party started north-east, the Leader wishing, if possible, to hit the Mitchell at the head of the tide.  Water was carried in case these should not find any, but the precaution was fortunately unnecessary.  At five miles they crossed a small creek from the eastward, having one small hole of water in it.  The country to that point was similar to that of yesterday, thence outward for about 9 miles they traversed box flats, intersected with low sandy rises, well grassed, and timbered with stringy-bark and acacia.  Another watered creek was crossed at about 9 miles from the start, and the camp pitched at a round waterhole, in a well-watered creek at 14 miles.  Many gullies were crossed filled with the screw-palm (’Pandanus Spirilas.’) The soil of the box flats was a stiff yellow clay.  Hot winds had been prevalent for the last week from the south-east, which parched and baked everything and made the mosquitoes very numerous and annoying. (Camp XL.) Latitude 15 degrees 56 minutes 31 seconds.