place where he found the graves; and yet, it will be seen, he speaks of appearances indicating that the remains were buried a long time ago, and states that some of the human hair discovered was in a state of decay.  This certainly would not accord with the supposition of the remains being those of Burke.  But it is useless to seek an explanation of this strange matter from the facts at present before us.  It is a mystery which will have further to be inquired into, and which Mr. McKinlay himself will perhaps be able to throw some light upon when he reviews all the particulars of the discovery, with the knowledge before him that Burke and his companions were not killed by the natives, but died from starvation, and were buried at places far distant from the spot where these new remains were discovered.

. . .

The following extract from McKinlay’s diary details the incidents here spoken of more minutely.

October 21st.—­Up in good time.  Before starting for the grave went round the lake, taking Mr. Hodgkinson with me, to see if natives were really on the lake, as I did not intend saddling the camels to-day if there were no natives here, intending to leave our camp unprotected—­rather unwise, but being so short of hands could not help it, the grave being much out of sight.  Found no natives round the lake, nor any very recent traces, saving that some of the trees were still burning that they (when here last) had lighted.  We started at once for the grave, taking a canteen of water with us and all the arms.  On arrival removed the ground carefully, and close to the top of the earth found the body of a European enveloped in a flannel shirt with short sleeves—­a piece of the breast of which I have taken—­the flesh, I may say, completely cleared from the bones, and very little hair but what must have been decomposed; what little there was, I have taken.  Description of body:  Skull marked with slight sabre cuts, apparently two in number—­one immediately over the left eye, the other on the right temple, inclining over right ear, more deep than the left; decayed teeth existed in both sides of lower jaw and right of upper; the other teeth were entire and sound.  In the lower jaw were two teeth—­one on each side (four between in front) rather projecting, as is sometimes called in the upper jaw “back teeth.”  I have measured the bones of the thigh and leg as well as the arm with a cord, not having any other method of doing it; gathered all the bones together and buried them again, cutting a lot of boughs and other wood and putting over top of the earth.  Body lies head south, feet north, lying on face, head severed from body.  On a small tree immediately south we marked “MK, 21st Oct., 61.”  Immediately this was over we questioned the native further on the subject of his death.  He says he was killed by a stroke from what the natives call a sword (an instrument of semicircular form, five to eight feet long, and very formidable).  He showed