We passed over stony plains, or low, sandy, and swampy ground, since the valleys near the hills opened out as we receded from them.

On the 19th I kept the chained line, but in consequence of the heavy state of the ground we did not get on more than 8 1/2 miles.

The character of the country was that of open sandy plains, the sand being based upon a stiff, tenacious clay, impervious to water.

With the exception of a few salsolae and atriplex, the plains were exceedingly bare, and had innumerable patches of water over them, not more than two or three inches deep.

At intervals pure sand hills occurred, on which there were a few stunted casuarina and mimosae, but a good deal of grass and thousands of young plants already springing up.