hung on the mountains behind us, we were in hopes the supply the river was receiving came from Laidley’s Ponds.  On the following morning the waters of the Darling were half-bank high, and from an insignificant stream it was at once converted into a broad and noble river, sweeping everything away on its turbid waters at the rate of these or four miles an hour.  The river still continues to rise, and is fast filling the creeks and lagoons on either side of it.  The cattle enjoy the most luxuriant feed on the banks of the river—­there being abundance of grass also in the flats, which far surpass those of the Murray both in richness of soil, and in extent.  I cannot but consider the river as a most valuable feature of the interior:  many a rich and valuable farm might be established upon it.  Its seasons appear to be particularly favourable, for we have had gentle rains ever since we came upon it.  Its periodical flooding is also at a most favourable period of the year, and its waters are so muddy that the deposit must be rich, and would facilitate the growth of many of the inter-tropical productions, as cotton, indigo—­the native indigo growing to the height of three feet—­maize, or flax; whilst, if an available country is found in the interior, the Darling must be the great channel of communication to it.  The country behind the flats is sandy and barren, but it would in many places support a certain number of stock, and might be found to be of more value than appearances would justify me in stating, and I would beg to be understood, in speaking of the Darling, that I only speak of it as I have seen it.  The summer sun probably parches up the vegetation and unclothes the soil; but such is the effect of summer heat in all similar latitudes, and that spot should be considered the most valuable where the effect of solar heat can be best counteracted by natural or artificial means.  I had hoped, as I have stated, that the Darling was receiving its accession of waters from the Williorara (Laidley’s Ponds); but on arriving on its banks we were sadly disappointed to find, instead of a mountain stream, a creek only connects the river with Cowandillah Lake; instead of supplying the Darling with water it was robbing it, and there was scarcely a blade of vegetation on its banks.  I was, therefore, obliged to return to the Darling, and to encamp until such time as I should determine on our next movement.  From some hills above the camp, we had a view of some ranges to the north-west and north, and I detached Mr. Poole on the 4th to ascertain the nature of the country between us and them, before I ventured to remove the party; more especially as the natives told us the interior beyond the ranges was perfectly impracticable.  This morning Mr. Poole returned, and informed me that, from the top of the ranges he ascended, he had a view of distant ranges to the north and north-west, as far as he could see; that from south-west to west to 13 degrees east of north, there was water extending,