ossed a running stream which
also contained deep and apparently permanent pools. Several pine or
callitris trees grew near its banks being the first we had seen for some
time. I named this mountain stream the Mackenzie. Beyond it were grassy
undulating plains with clumps of casuarinae and box trees (eucalypti). At
three miles and a half we crossed another chain of ponds, and at four
miles we came to a deep stream, running with considerable rapidity over a
bed of sandstone rock. It was overhung with mimosa-bushes; and it was not
until after considerable search that I could find a convenient place for
fording it. This I named the Norton. Good grassy hills arose beyond, and
after crossing them we found an undulating country and sandy soil where
there were shallow lagoons and but little grass.

THE WIMMERA IN A UNITED CHANNEL.

At nine miles I was aware, from the sloping of the ground, of the
vicinity of a river; and we soon came once more upon the Wimmera, flowing
in one deep channel nearly as broad as the Murrumbidgee, but in no other
respect at all similar. The banks of this newly discovered river were not
water-worn but characterised by verdant slopes, the borders being fringed
with bushes of mimosae. The country was indeed fine adjacent to the
Wimmera, and at the point where we came to it the river was joined by a
running creek from the south which we crossed, and at two miles and a
quarter further we encamped on a spot overlooking a reedy lagoon, from
which some long slopes descended towards the river, distant from our camp
about half a mile. When we thus again intersected the Wimmera I was
travelling due west, partly with a view to ascertain its ultimate course.

LOSE THIS RIVER.

The isolated hill lay before me, and it was now to be ascertained whether
the course of the stream was to the south or north of it. The appearance
of the country from Mount Zero certainly afforded no prospect of our
falling in with the river where we did, but at this camp Burnett, having
climbed to the top of a high tree, thought he could trace the course to
the southward of the hill before us, which bore nearly west. This
prospect accorded with my wishes, and I hoped to trace it to the coast
without deviating too far to the westward of my intended route.

July 22.

A small stream from the south crossed our way when we had proceeded about
half a mile. At six miles and a half we met with another; and three miles
beyond it I perceived a