latter being now dry.  Came over some seven and a half miles of country to Watthiegurtie, which is also salt and bitter, and started then for Caunboogonannie.  At 2 p.m. passed in my way two salt lakes to the south with salt-water in them, respectively named Anodhampa and Thoorpalinnie; passed also to north a recently dried up lake named Gnooloomacannie, well timbered round its shores, with abundance of grass all over it.  Arrived at this splendid lake (Caunboogonannie) at 3.55 p.m.  Splendid water and feed.  This lake also is nearly circular and about two and a half to three miles in diameter.  This lake I have called Jeannie after a young lady acquaintance—­Miss Pile of Gawler.  The cart could not get further than the last bitter water we passed today.  Immediately south of that is the dry bed of Lake Uilgobarrannie, and immediately on the north-west side of that lake is the dry bed of Lake Caunmarriegoteinnie.  This little creek, flowing nearly south, fills Abberingannie Lake, now nearly dry, and Lakes Anodhampa and Thoorpalinnie—­both at present with water but unfit for use; plenty of good feed round all.

Tuesday, December 24.

At daylight sent Mr. Hodgkinson to the cart with a packhorse and two canteens of water, and to point out a more firm place for the cart to cross Watthiegurtie Creek than where we crossed the camels and horses, it being very boggy.  A vast number of natives here, and upon the whole about the finest race I have seen in the colonies, and at present apparently friendly.  Any quantity of fish and hundreds of pelicans.  This country is fit for any description of stock and, with anything like a moderate supply of rain, would be most excellent country; even as it is it is not equalled to the southward as far as Kanyaka, Mr. Phillip’s station near Mount Brown.  Mr. Hodgkinson found a better crossing for the cart a little north, and it arrived here in safety at 12.30 p.m.—­they found a little drinkable water last night.  Kirby, with the sheep, got astray today but was soon picked up again and brought to camp about sunset by Wylde and Bell.

Wednesday, December 25.

Christmas Day; wind variable, principally from the south, but warm.  Natives were prowling in numbers about our camp late last night.  I sent up a rocket that exploded well and had the desired effect, causing a general rush of the whole of the sable gentry towards their camp, which latter in their fear did not check their mad career until they found there was no pursuit; but today they again came up to our camp quite unconcerned as if nothing had happened—­better it should be so as no doubt I shall find them of great use in pointing out the principal waters within their knowledge.  Spelling to recruit everybody and everything, and hope to make a good start tomorrow morning.  Had an excellent dinner of roast mutton and plum pudding and did not envy anyone in the City of Adelaide.

Thursday, December 26.