deep scrub creek was found, on the right hand of the river, full of water.  Its bed was overgrown with reeds, and full of pebbles of concretions of limestone, and curious trunks of fossil trees, and on its banks a loose sandstone cropped out.  Here we found the skull of a native, the first time that we had seen the remains of a human body during our journey.  Near the scrub, and probably in old camping places of the natives, we frequently saw the bones of kangaroos and emus.  I mention this fact in reference to the observations of American travellers, who very rarely met with bones in the wilderness; and to remark, that the climate of Australia is so very dry as to prevent decomposition, and that rapacious animals are few in number—­the native dog probably finding a sufficiency of living food.

On the 25th there were thunder-storms, but they did not reach us.  The night was cloudy, and we had some few drops of rain in the morning of the 26th, but the weather cleared up about ten o’clock; cumuli formed in the afternoon, and towards night thunder-storms were observed both in the east and west.  I found a shrubby prickly Goodenia, about four or five feet high, growing on the borders of the scrub.

Feb. 27.—­Mr. Gilbert, whom I had sent back from the wells of the natives to bring on the camp, had been prevented from doing so, and I had consequently to return the whole distance.  The interruption was caused by our bullocks having gone back several miles, probably in search of better water, for we found them generally very nice in this particular.

The natives had, in my absence, visited my companions, and behaved very quietly, making them presents of emu feathers, bommerangs, and waddies.  Mr. Phillips gave them a medal of the coronation of her Majesty Queen Victoria, which they seemed to prize very highly.  They were fine, stout, well made people, and most of them young; but a few old women, with white circles painted on their faces, kept in the back ground.  They were much struck with the white skins of my companions, and repeatedly patted them in admiration.  Their replies to inquiries respecting water were not understood; but they seemed very anxious to induce us to go down the river.

We started at noon to Skull Creek, which, in a straight line, was fourteen miles distant, in a north by east direction.  Loose cumuli floated in the hazy atmosphere during the whole forenoon, but rose in the afternoon, and occasionally sheltered us from the scorching sun.  At four o’clock two thunder-storms formed as usual in the east and west, and, eventually rising above us, poured down a heavy shower of rain, which drenched us to the skin, and refreshed us and our horses and bullocks, which were panting with heat and thirst.  Our stores were well covered with greasy tarpaulings, and took no harm.