to the West Australian Goldfields, and of discovering much auriferous country” (vide Adelaide observer, June 6, 1896).  A collection of the flora and fauna was to be made, as well as a map of the country passed through.  The expedition started from Cue, Murchison district, left civilisation at Lake Way, and travelled in a North-Easterly direction from there to Lake Augusta, thence in a Northerly direction past Joanna Springs to the Fitzroy River.  Thus their course was almost parallel to our upgoing journey, and some 150 to 200 miles to the westward, nearer the coast.  The class of country encountered was similar to that already described by me—­that is sand, undulating and in ridges.

A well, since called “Separation Well,” was found in long. 123 degrees 53 minutes, lat. 22 degrees 51 minutes.  At this point the expedition split up:  Charles Wells and G. L. Jones, with three camels, were to make a flying trip ninety miles to the Westward; then, turning North-East, were to cut the tracks of the main party, who were to travel nearly due North.

The rendezvous was fixed at or near Joanna Springs—­which place, however, the leader failed to find (until some months afterwards, when he proved them to have been placed on the chart some eighteen miles too far West by Colonel Warburton in 1873, who in his diary doubts the accuracy of the position assigned to the spring by himself, and remarks, “What matter in such country as this?").  When the latitude of the spring was reached, about a day and a half was spent in searching to the east and west without result.  A native smoke was seen to the eastward, but the leader failed to reach it.

The camels were on the brink of collapse, many had already collapsed, and the leader considered that by further search for the spring he would be bringing almost certain death on the whole party.  Therefore, abandoning all collections, and in fact everything except just enough to keep him and his companions alive, he pushed on for the Fitzroy River—­travelling by night and camping in the day—­a distance of 170 miles.  They arrived at the Fitzroy River after the greatest difficulties, with one bucket of water left, and only two camels fit to carry even the lightest packs.

The flying party were daily expected, for the arrangement had been that, failing a meeting at Joanna Springs, both parties were to push on to the Fitzroy.  Days passed, however, and no flying party appeared.

Before long fears as to their safety began to grow, and Mr. Wells made numerous attempts to return on his tracks.  The heat, however, was too much for his camels, and he was unable to penetrate to any distance.  Mr. Rudall in the meantime, who had been surveying in the Nor’-West, was despatched by the Western Australia Government to make a search from the West.  He had a good base in the Oakover River, and pushed out as far as Separation Well.  Nothing, however, came of his gallant efforts, for he was misled, not only by lying natives, but by the tracks of camels and men, which subsequently turned out to be those of prospectors.  His journey, however, had many useful results, for he discovered a new creek running out into the desert (Rudall River), and the existence of auriferous country north of the Ophthalmia Range, besides confirming Gregory’s account of the country East of the Oakover.