plains would have led me to suppose would probably be the case.  The far greater portion was a rich dry soil, and that the water is never permanent on any part of them is clearly demonstrated by the total absence of any aquatic or bog plants.  From this rivulet, the three main branches of these immense plains were clearly visible to the east by south-south-east, and north-east.  Of the extent of the two former, we could only judge from the lofty bounding chains of hills in those quarters; and which we could not estimate to be nearer than from forty-five to fifty miles.  Hardwicke’s Range bounded these to the north-east, with many intervening beautiful hills and valleys.  We found the distance across the plains to the hill where we stopped, to be upwards of fourteen miles on an east line.  Chains and ridges of low forest hills, which gradually rise from the horizontal level, are scattered over these plains, and stand for the most part detached like islands; varying the scenery in a most picturesque manner, as they are generally clothed with wood of apple tree, cypress, and other species of eucalyptus, intermingled with various acacias in full flower.  Mr. Evans ascended Mount Tetley to take bearings from it.  He found the compass to be affected in a similar manner to that remarked on Loadstone Hill; the north point of it when placed on the rock, becoming the south.  This remarkable alteration of the needle was also observed on several other hills in this vicinity, but in a less degree; the bearings generally varying from two to three points from the truth.  On the hill under which we stopped this evening, named View Hill, the needle varied three points.  In consequence of the heavy rains and recent floods, travelling on many parts of these plains was very heavy; the soil being a rick loose loam, of a dark red approaching to a black colour, but of great apparent fertility and strength:  some hundreds of kangaroos and emus were seen in the course of the day.  We killed several, the dogs being absolutely fatigued with slaughter:  the game was by no means shy, but came close up to us, as if to examine us.  Indeed I do not think they are much disturbed by natives, of whom we have seen few signs in this neighbourhood.  The stream crossing the plains was named Bowen’s Rivulet, in honour of Commissioner Bowen, of the Navy Board.

August 28.—­The season continues to get warm and sultry.  We pursued an east-north-east course during our day’s journey, leading us through a fine open forest country generally level in the direction of our course, but rising into forest hills to the north and south of us.  At eight miles, ascending from this level, we saw the great plains which extend along the line of our course, and are separated from us by a rich open country of hill and vale, distant four or five miles.  A branch from these plains led to the north-east across our course, and was distant five or six miles.  We proceeded in the whole ten miles, and stopped in a pretty forest valley, with plenty of water and good grass.  The stones composing the hills were very various, sometimes different species of granite, then sandstone, and on others loose slate.  On View Hill we found particularly rich iron stone.  The soil was uniformly good, and covered with grass; the country by no means thickly timbered, chiefly with box, and a few cypresses.