Camp 21.  The clouds of yesterday passed over with only a few drops of rain just after starting.  Today cloudy again; wind from east by north; started at 7.53 a.m.  As the horses came in to water, just before starting, we found that the horse Jamie had come up during the night but looks hardly able to drag his legs after him.  It is a great pity as he is a splendid hackney and is a great loss at present.  The narrow-leafed papery-barked tree grows on the sides of the creek to a great size and height, completely overtopping the gums, oaks, etc.  There is very little feed in this part of the country that the camels are fond of.  At about four miles, creek running, with plenty of feed; for three and a half miles further the creek comes from north-east by north, then a little more east.  General course today about north-east and distance travelled about sixteen miles, when we fortunately got sufficient water in a barrier in the creek, evidently from recent rain, the bed of the creek otherwise perfectly dry.  Three more horses knocked up and obliged to be left behind, namely Bawley, Fidget, and Camel (mare) although good travelling.  Ascended hill at camp and found that the first leading main range bears east and about 40 degrees north, which I intend making for.

Sunday, June 22.

Camp 22.  Wind from east by north and cloudy; obliged to lighten further our load by leaving the tents and spare pack-saddles and bags here on north side of creek; started at 8.20 a.m.  The barrier here is composed of a yellow close-grained stone impregnated with small specks of quartz, and the hills on either side, pieces of granite of the same kind are also strewed in the bed, brought down by the currents.  A few oak-trees immediately above this camp.  Passed over hilly well-grassed ironbark granite country on a bearing of about 90 degrees (but first of all a little to the north of that, and afterwards as much to the south, which equalised the bearing) for the point of a range which I mean to ascend.  Got to it at eleven and a half miles; then quarter of a mile along top of range, the ascent of which we found excessively difficult, and had two of our best horses nearly killed by falling backwards down the hill, and only being brought up from going to the bottom and getting smashed by some trees and rocks; the camels especially we had to unpack twice (two ascents) and I once thought we were not to get them up they are so weak, especially the smallest one—­a splendid little animal.  Then we got a comparatively easy descent and made for north end of a heavy range close by on a bearing of 85 degrees.  At three-quarters of a mile got to the end of it, over rough country intercepted with innumerable creeks, hills, rock, and timber; then bore east-south-east for distant bluff of range along well-grassed but very hilly sound country for two miles.  Could hardly get the small camel along, and no appearance of water, and it within an hour of sunset.  Went down the spur of a small