carried off the water of a large creek. Some of the valleys beyond
this were very pretty, the ground being sound and covered with
fresh plants, which made them look beautifully green. At fifteen
miles we halted, where two large plains joined. Our attention had
been attracted by some red-breasted cockatoos, pigeons, a crow, and
several other birds, whose presence made us feel sure that there
was water not far off; but our hopes were soon destroyed by finding
a claypan just drying up. It contained just sufficient liquid to
make the clay boggy. At ten minutes to seven P.M., we moved on,
steering straight for Eyre's Creek, north-west by north, intending
to make a good night's journey and avoid the heat of the day; but
at a mile and a half we came to a creek which looked so well that
we followed it for a short distance, and finding two or three
waterholes of good milky water we camped for the night. This
enabled me to secure an observation of the eclipse of Jupiter's (I)
satellite, as well as some latitude observations. The night was so
calm that I used the water as an horizon; but I find it much more
satisfactory to take the mercury for several reasons.

Thursday, 20th December.--We did not leave this camp until
half-past eight, having delayed to refill the water-bags with the
milky water, which all of us found to be a great treat again. It is
certainly more pleasant to drink than the clear water, and at the
same time more satisfying. Our course from here, north-west by
north, took us through some pretty country, lightly timbered and
well grassed. We could see the line of creek timber winding through
the valley on our left. At a distance of five miles there was a
bush fire on its banks, and beyond it the creek made a considerable
bend to the south-west. At two miles farther we came in sight of a
large lagoon bearing north by west, and at three miles more we