is always a fine billibong on the opposite side, each of them
almost invariably sticking close to the respective sand ridges.
Before coming to the next bend of the creek a view from the top of
a sandhill showed me that the creek received a large tributary from
the north-west at about two miles above where we had crossed it. A
fine line of timber, running up to the north-west, joined an
extensive tract of box forest, and the branch we were following was
lost to view in a similar forest towards the north. The sand ridge
was so abrupt when we came to the creek, that it was necessary to
descend into its bed through one of the small ravines adjoining it.
We found it partially run out, the bed being sand and strewed with
nodules of lime, some of which were from one half to two feet long:
they had apparently been formed in the sanddowns by infiltration.

FIELD BOOK 3.

CAMPS 78 TO 85.* LATITUDE SOUTH 25 1/2 TO 23 3/4 DEGREES.
[* Footnote: This Field Book was mostly occupied by notes of
astronomical observations, and surveyor's notes for mapping.]

Sunday, 30th December, 1860.--Finding that the creek was trending
considerably towards the east without much likelihood of altering
its course, we struck off from it, taking a ten days' supply of
water, as there were ranges visible to the north, which had the
appearance of being stony. A north-east by north course was first
taken for about seven miles in order to avoid them. The whole of
this distance was over alluvial earthy plains, the soil of which
was firm, but the vegetation scanty.

FIELD BOOK 4.

CAMPS 85 TO 90. LATITUDE 23 3/4 TO 22 1/4 DEGREES.

(Fine Country, Tropics.)

Saturday, 5th January, 1861.--On leaving Camp 84, we found slight
but distinct indications of rain in the groves, and a few blades of
grass and small weeds in the little depressions on the plain: these
indications were, however, so slight, that, but for the fact of our
having found surface-water in two holes near our camp, we should
hardly have noticed them. At a distance of about two miles in a
north-north-easterly direction, we came to a creek with a long
broad shallow waterhole. The well-worn paths, the recent tracks of
natives, and the heaps of shells, on the contents of which the
latter had feasted, showed at once that this creek must be
connected with some creek of considerable importance. The camels
and horses being greatly in need of rest, we only moved up about
half a mile, and camped for