CHAPTER VI.

MAP OF THE RIVER BELYANDO,

Head of another river.--Water again scarce.--Abundance found.--Climate and country--under the Tropic Line.--Plants.--Peculiar character of the water-course.--One cause of open spaces in the woods.--New plants.-- Causes of the outspread of channel.--Plains of wild indigo.--Large river channel from the south.--Cross.--Novelties beyond.--The river much increased.--Long journey through scrub.--New plants.--Journey along the river bank.--Character of this river.--Distant prospect.--No water.-- Fatiguing journey through scrubs. Reach the river by moonlight.--Large lagoons.--New tributary--from the S. W.--Excursion to the N. W.--Night without water.--Interview with natives.--Camp visited by natives during my absence.--An affair at the camp.--The party crosses the river.-- Conclusions.--The party returns.--Tilled ground of the natives.--The shepherd astray.--Singular phenomenon.--Extraordinary vegetable production.--Heavy rain comes on.--Probability of finding a river.-- Singular meteor.--Intertropical temperature.--Effects of the rain.-- Recross the Tropic.--Regain the higher land.--Remarkable tree.--(Hakea?)--Dip of the strata.--Character of the Belyando.--How to explore a river in brigalow.--A more direct way homewards.--Successful passage with carts and drays.--Open downs.--Fossil wood.--Recross the Claude.--Mantuan downs.--Natives of the Salvator.--Position taken up for a depot camp.--Interesting plants.--(View on the Salvator, Pl. 8.)