Farther down the river, the country became better watered, even at a distance from the river; some small creeks, winding down between scrubby sandstone hills, were full of water, and a chain of fine lagoons was crossed, covered with splendid blue Nymphaeas.

Large coveys of partridge-pigeons rose from the burnt grass as we passed along, and ducks and pelicans were numerous on the stretches of water in the bed of the river.

Heaps of fresh-water muscles lined the water-holes, which were teeming with fish, apparently of considerable size, as their splashing startled me several times during the night, and made me believe, for the moment, that a large tribe of natives were bathing.
A very stiff high grass became very general along the river.

On the plains there were fields of native carrots, now dry; also of vervain and burr.

The long-podded cassia was plentiful, and its young seeds tasted well, but considerably affected the bowels.
Cumuli passed from the north-east during the morning: the afternoon was clear, and the night bright.
When I returned to the camp on the 11th January, my companions told me, that upon their journey across the high plains they had observed a high range to the north-west.
Jan.