28 .-- We travelled over the Box-tree flat, until we reached the open basaltic ridges mentioned on the 23rd December, and kept along their base.

The creek, which had disappeared on the flat, here again formed a large deep channel, lined with Melaleucas.

Hollows existed along the hills, and water-holes ran in lines parallel to the creek; all now quite dry; a scrubby forest land alternated with open flats and Bricklow thickets.

Water was very scarce; and having encamped my party, I started immediately to reconnoitre the country.

I followed the creek to the northward, and found it lined by scrub; but the belt along its west side was narrow, and beyond it, a fine open undulating country was observed extending far to the south-west and west, in which direction the loom of distant ranges was seen.