Mr. Browne was fortunate enough to secure one of these animals, which is here figured.  The nests they construct are made of sticks, varying in length from three inches to three feet, and in thickness from the size of a quill to the size of the thumb.  They were arranged in a most systematic manner, so as to form a compact cone like a bee-hive, four feet in diameter at the base, and three feet high.  This fabric is so firmly built, as to be pulled to pieces with difficulty.  One of these nests had five holes or entrances from the bottom, nearly equi-distant from each other, with passages leading to a hole in the ground, beneath which I am led to conclude they had their store.  There were two nests of grass in the centre of the pyramid, and passages running up to them diagonally from the bottom.  The sticks, which served for the foundations of the nests, were not more than two or three inches long, and so disposed as to form a compact flooring, whilst the roofs were arched.  The nests were close together, but in separate compartments, with passages communicating from the one to the other.

In a pyramid that we subsequently opened, there was a nest nearly at the top; so that it would appear that these singular structures are common to many families, and that the animals live in communities.  The heap of sticks, thus piled up, would fill four large-sized wheel-barrows, and must require infinite labour.  This ingenious little animal measures six inches from the tip of the nose to the tail, which is six inches long.  The length of the head is two and a half inches, of the ears one and a quarter, and one inch in breadth.  Its fur is of a light brown colour, and of exceedingly fine texture.  It differs very little in appearance from the common rat, if I except the length of its ears, and an apparent disproportion in the size of the hind feet, which were large.  The one figured is a male, which I obtained from one of the natives who followed us to the camp.

At this period of our journey the weather was exceedingly cold, and the winds high.  We were about 45 miles from Laidley’s Ponds; but could not, from the most elevated point, catch a glimpse of the ranges in its neighbourhood.  It appeared to me that the river flats were getting smaller on both sides of it, the river still continuing to rise.  It was now pouring down a vast body of water into the Murray.  There was, however, an abundance of luxuriant pasture along its banks.  Late in the afternoon the lubras (wives) of the natives, at our camp, made their appearance on the opposite side of the river, and Nadbuck, who was a perfect gallant, wanted to invite them over; but I told him that I would cut off the head of the first who came over with my long knife—­my sword.  The old gentleman went off to Mr. Browne, to whom he made a long complaint, asking him if he really thought I should execute my threat.  Mr. Browne assured him that he was quite certain I should not only cut off the lubra’s head, but his too.  On this Nadbuck expressed his indignation; but however much he might have ventured to risk the lubra’s necks, he had no idea of risking his own.