Volume II Part 19 (1/2)

Through the intervening valley flowed the Murray, the course of which was seldom visible as no trees grew along its border. Under such circ.u.mstances we could not encamp upon the bank, neither could it be safely approached by cattle; and our prospect of obtaining wood and watering our animals was this day rather uncertain. At length we came upon a path which Mr. Stapylton pursued amongst high reeds for a mile without reaching the river as we both expected. I continued to travel towards four trees on the side of a green hill, still at a great distance but in the direction in which I wished to proceed.

JUNCTION OF TWO BRANCHES. SWAN HILL.

When we arrived there just before sunset we had the good fortune to find close under the hill a bend of the Murray, and to discover the junction of another river or branch with it at this point. Within the margin we found a small pond quite accessible to the cattle, and behind the hill was an extensive flat covered with the richest gra.s.s. Here therefore we could encamp most contentedly beside a clear hill, always a desirable neighbour, and an accessible river. We were also thus enabled to determine the junction perhaps of two rivers, an important object in geography. The lat.i.tude was 35 degrees 19 minutes 43 seconds South.

The lesser stream was about 50 yards wide, but below the junction the main stream divided into two branches so that I was doubtful whether this might not be only the termination of an ana-branch. From the falling off of the bergs on the distant right bank, and the approach of a line of lofty trees from the same quarter, I was almost convinced that some junction took place thereabouts, as indeed the natives last seen had informed us. During the day columns of smoke arose behind us in the direction where we had seen these natives, and further eastward we perceived a widespreading conflagration, doubtless caused by them although this expression of ire troubled us but little so long as the flames did not approach our route. The scrubs now receded from the river, but the curious variety of acacias they contained still drew our attention towards them. We found this day several which were new. One with a rigid hard leaf, not in flower, resembled in many respects the A.

farinosa met with two days later, but it was perfectly smooth in all its parts.* Another appeared to be related to A. hispidula, but with much narrower leaves without the ragged cartilaginous margin of that species.**

(*Footnote. A. sclerophylla, Lindley ma.n.u.scripts; ramulis angulatis glabriusculis, phyllodiis rigidis carnosis rectiusculis linearibus apice latioribus mucronulatis multinerviis glabris eglandulosis, capitulis 1-2 sessilibus glaberrimis.)

(**Footnote. A. aspera, Lindley ma.n.u.scripts; phyllodiis oblongo-linearibus uninerviis mucronatis eglandulosis ramisque angulatis asperrimis, capitulis 1-2 axillaribus, pedunculis villosis phyllodiis duplo brevioribus.)

CHAPTER 3.7.

Exploring through a fog.

Lakes.

Circular Lake of Boga.

Clear gra.s.sy hills.

Natives on the lake.

Scarcity of fuel on the bank of a deep river.

Different character of two rivers.

Unfortunate result of Piper's interview with the natives of the lake.

Discovery of the Jerboa in Australia.

Different habits of the savage and civilized.

A range visible in the south.

Peculiarities in the surface of the country near the river.

Water of the lakes brackish, or salt.

Natives fly at our approach.

Arrival in the dark, on the bank of a watercourse.

Dead saplings of ten years growth in the ponds.

Discovery of Mount Hope.

Enter a much better country.

Limestone.

Curious character of an original surface.

Native weirs for fish.

Their nets for catching ducks.

Remarkable character of the lakes.

Mr. Stapylton's excursion in search of the main stream.

My ride to Mount Hope.