and there with mallee; large ant-hills are very numerous; they vary in height from two and a half to four feet.  There was a continuous rise perceptible all the way in crossing the ranges, and from the highest portion, which we reached at a distance of about seven miles, we had a pretty good view of the country towards the north.  As far as we could see in the distance, and bearing due north, was a large range, having somewhat the outline of a granite mountain.  The east end of this range just comes up to the magnetic north; on the left of this, and bearing north-north-west, is a single conical peak, the top of which only is visible.  Further to the west there were some broken ranges, apparently sandstone; to the east of north the tops of very distant and apparently higher ranges were seen, the outline of which was so indistinct that I can form no idea as to their character; the intermediate country below us appeared alternations of fine valleys and stony ranges, such as we had just been crossing.  From here a descent of two miles brought us to a creek having a northern course, but on tracing it down for about a mile, we found it to turn to the south-east and join another from the north.  We crossed over to the latter on a north-by-west course, and camped on the west bank.  It has a broad sandy channel; the waterholes are large, but not deep; the banks are bordered with fine white gums, and are in some places very scrubby.  There is abundance of rich green feed everywhere in the vicinity.  We found here numerous indications of blacks having been here, but saw nothing of them.  It seems remarkable that where their tracks are so plentiful, we should have seen none since we left King’s Creek.  I observed that the natives here climb trees as those on the Murray do, in search of some animal corresponding in habits to the opossum, which they get out of the hollow branches in a similar manner.  I have not yet been able to ascertain what the animal is.

Sunday, 13th January, 1861.—­We did not leave camp this morning until half-past seven, having delayed for the purpose of getting the camels’ shoes on—­a matter in which we were eminently unsuccessful.  We took our breakfast before starting, for almost the first time since leaving the depot.  Having crossed the creek, our course was due north as before, until, at about six miles, we came in sight of the range ahead, when we took a north-half-east direction for the purpose of clearing the eastern front of it.  We found the ground more sandy than what we had before crossed, and a great deal of it even more richly grassed.  Camp 93 is situate at the junction of three sandy creeks, in which there is abundance of water.  The sand is loose, and the water permeates freely, so that the latter may be obtained delightfully cool and clear by sinking anywhere in the beds of the creeks.

Field book 6.

Camps 98 to 105.  Latitude 21 1/4 to 20 1/4 degrees.