flats were bounded by remote rising hills seemingly clear and open.  A high peak, bearing north, was named Kerr’s Peak; and a very lofty mount, under which the west extremity of the plains lay, was named Mount Tetley:  and the westernmost remarkable hill in the chain first mentioned, Whitwell Hill.  The bogginess and ruggedness of our route, for the remainder of the day, sufficiently tried our strength:  we accomplished however thirteen miles, and halted in a small valley about four miles south of Whitwell Hill.  This valley was bounded east and west by rocky hills, but the soil was better, and the grass of good quality.  The base of these hills was of close-grained white-coloured granite, or whinstone:  the summits of good freestone:  on the sides several good pieces of iron ore were picked up.

August 26.—­While Mr. Evans proceeded with the horses on an eastern course for Mount Tetley, Dr. Harris and myself went towards the spacious valley at the foot of Whitwell Hill.  This we soon reached, and travelled down its centre, along the banks of a beautiful stream of water which fertilized and drained it.  The extent of this valley towards the south-west, we could not discover, as its windings were lost among the forest hills in that direction.  We went down to the east between seven and eight miles, when we rejoined the horses at the base of an elevated conical hill, standing detached at its east entrance, which was here four or five miles wide.  On ascending this hill, the view which was on all sides presented to our delighted eyes was of the most varied and exhilarating kind.  Hills, dales, and plains of the richest description lay before us, bounded to the east by fine hills, beyond which were seen elevated mountains.  To the north-east an extensive valley, from eight to ten miles wide, led to Hardwicke’s Range, being a distance of about thirty-five miles.  In this great valley were numerous low hills and plains, thinly studded with timber, and watered by the stream, down the banks of which we had travelled.  From its eastern side, these low hills gradually rose to a loftier elevation:  but were still thinly timbered, and covered with grass.  To the east-south-east, and south-east, clear plains extended to the foot of very lofty forest hills, at a medium distance of from twenty-five to forty miles.  These were the plains seen on our yesterday’s route, and which we feared were sand.  We found them to consist of a rich dry vegetable soil; and although, from their vast extent, they may, as a whole, be properly denominated plains, yet their surfaces were slightly broken into gentle eminences with occasional clumps, and lines of timber.  Their white appearance was occasioned by the grass having been burnt early in the year, and the young growth killed by the frosts.  The little rivulet, that watered the north-west side of this track of country, had overflowed within these few days; but the ground left by the retreating waters was as firm and solid, as those parts which had not