“Fletcher’s Awl,” after Mr. John Fletcher, whose kind contribution towards my expedition had not a little cheered me in my undertaking.  Towards the east and north-east, a flat country extended, in which the smoke of several fires of the natives was seen, and, in the distance, several blue ranges were distinguished.  To the northward, the country was very mountainous, and in the north-west, at a short distance, Phillips’s Mountain reared its head.  Many shallow valleys, at present of an earth-brown colour, led down from the range.  A large creek—­which probably collects all the waters that we had passed on the east side of the range, and which I descended during my ride of the 3rd February—­flows down a very conspicuous valley to the eastward.  I named this creek after—­Stephens, Esq., of Darling Downs; and the peak on which I stood after—­Campbell, Esq., of the same district.  Both these gentlemen had shown the greatest hospitality to me and to my party during our stay at the Downs, before starting on the expedition.  The rock of Campbell’s Peak is domitic; at the top it is of a bluish colour and very hard, and contains very visible, though minute, crystals of felspar.

In a hollow between the two rocky protuberances on the west side of the hill, a noble fig-tree spread its rich dark-green shady foliage; and on the steep slopes Erythrina was frequent.  I could not help contrasting the character of this place with the moist creeks and mountain brushes of the Bunya Bunya country near Moreton Bay, where I had been accustomed to observe the same plant.  Proceeding to the N.N.E. we passed several creeks or watercourses, some fine open Ironbark slopes, and a sandstone range; and, following down a watercourse, came to a creek which seemed to originate in Phillips’s Mountain.  This creek contained water; it flowed to the south-east and east, and very probably joined Stephens’s Creek.  A rather stunted rusty gum grew plentifully on the sandstone ridges; pebbles of concretionary limestone were found in the creek, probably carried down from the basalt of Phillips’s Mountain; and a deposit of concretionary limestone was observed in the banks of a creek, whilst passing one of the black plains, on this side of the range.  A profusion of Calcedony, and fine specimens of Agate, were observed in many places, along the basaltic ridges.  My black companions loaded themselves with the pretty agates, which they had never seen before, and which they evidently considered to be very valuable; but, after a little time, the weight became inconvenient, and they kept only a few, to strike fire with.

Feb. 7.—­Having sent Brown back to guide our party to this creek, which is about six miles N. N. E. from yesterday’s camping place, in latitude 22 degrees 32 minutes 27 seconds; I continued my ride with Charley to the north-west.  We ascended a high sandstone range, and travelled for some miles along its flat summit.  The country was very broken, but openly timbered, and occasionally of a most beautiful