Field book 3.

Camps 78 to 85.* Latitude south 25 1/2 to 23 3/4 degrees. [* Footnote:  This Field Book was mostly occupied by notes of astronomical observations, and surveyor’s notes for mapping.]

Sunday, 30th December, 1860.—­Finding that the creek was trending considerably towards the east without much likelihood of altering its course, we struck off from it, taking a ten days’ supply of water, as there were ranges visible to the north, which had the appearance of being stony.  A north-east by north course was first taken for about seven miles in order to avoid them.  The whole of this distance was over alluvial earthy plains, the soil of which was firm, but the vegetation scanty.

Field book 4.

Camps 85 to 90.  Latitude 23 3/4 to 22 1/4 degrees.

(Fine Country, Tropics.)

Saturday, 5th January, 1861.—­On leaving Camp 84, we found slight but distinct indications of rain in the groves, and a few blades of grass and small weeds in the little depressions on the plain:  these indications were, however, so slight, that, but for the fact of our having found surface-water in two holes near our camp, we should hardly have noticed them.  At a distance of about two miles in a north-north-easterly direction, we came to a creek with a long broad shallow waterhole.  The well-worn paths, the recent tracks of natives, and the heaps of shells, on the contents of which the latter had feasted, showed at once that this creek must be connected with some creek of considerable importance.  The camels and horses being greatly in need of rest, we only moved up about half a mile, and camped for the day.

Sunday, 6th January, 1861.—­Started at twenty minutes to six o’clock, intending to make an easy day’s stage along the creek.  As we proceeded up in a northerly direction, we found the waterhole to diminish in size very much, and at about two and a half miles the creek ran out in a lot of small watercourses.  At the upper end of the creek we found in its bed what appeared to be an arrangement for catching fish:  it consisted of a small oval mud paddock about twelve feet by eight feet, the sides of which were about nine inches above the bottom of the hole, and the top of the fence covered with long grass, so arranged that the ends of the blades overhung scantily by several inches the sides of the hole.  As there was no sign of timber to the north, we struck off to north-west by north for a fine line that came up from south-west, and seemed to run parallel with the creek we were about to leave.  At a distance of about three miles, we reached the bank of a fine creek containing a sheet of water two chains broad, and at least fifteen feet deep in the middle.  The banks are shelving, sandy, and lightly clothed with box trees and various shrubs.  On starting to cross the plains towards this creek we were surprised