Page:Journals of Several Expeditions Made in Western Australia.djvu/244

 afterwards called Mount Stirling, after W. Stirling, Esq. Here we had to dig for water; it was about 7 o'clock when we made this place.

Oct 31st.—Upon examination it was found our quantity of provisions would not admit of our going further E., we therefore ascended several very high hills for the purpose of examining the country and making observations. Mr. Dale and Mr. Stirling went to a high hill three or four miles off, which they named Mount Caroline, after a lady in this part Mr. Camfield, Mr. Clarkson, and myself, went to another, the highest of three, which we named Mount Elizabeth, after a lady of your acquaintance. We arrived at the top of this very high hill or rock about half-past 10 o'clock. In ascending the E. side, near the top, we found a small spring of excellent water, the day being very hot we found it of very great service. Due E. we observed the smoke of a native fire ten miles off; the country in that direction appears gradually to rise, water in two or three places may be seen. The valley from E. towards N. abounds with swamps or salt marshes, the water brackish, and a quantity of samphire grows there; a large extent of country is evidently under water in the rainy season. E.S.E. are to be seen four mounts S. W. There is a peaked hill of considerable height about fifteen miles distant. From W. and by S. may be distinctly seen a body of water, with a blue mist, indicating water for two miles in a southerly direction. W. about three miles is a small round hill, thinly covered with wood, and of a sandy complexion. From Mount Elizabeth, Stirling's Mount bears S.S.W., Mount Caroline N.N.E. about two miles and a half off. On the top of this massy rock there is an astonishing number of lizards, remarkably beautiful, and the velocity with which they move is truly surprising. After making the above observations we began to descend, and found a much stronger spring of water on the N.W. side; we likewise found an arched piece of rock, with several bird's nests adhering to the top. From their peculiar construction and composition, I judge they belong to the swallow tribe, but very different from those seen in England. There is much good land about the base of these