Page:Tracks of McKinlay and party across Australia.djvu/183

 The reports of the natives as to many sheets of water in this part of the country induced McKinlay to spend considerable time in making explorations, and rendered necessary the addition to his stock of provisions which he has just received. The country presented in striking contrast the remarkable features we alluded to in our opening remarks in a preceding chapter. Long continued absence of rain had completely dessicated the higher surface of the plains, where the vegetation was so crisp and dry that it would have burned like so much tinder. On the other hand the creek banks and the lake beds, some with, others without water, were generally luxuriantly grassed. In most parts the country only wanted rain to present vegetation throughout; from the numbers of the natives and the crowd of animated nature generally, McKinlay inferred that there must be supplies of permanent water, thus rendering the country valuable for pastoral purposes. There were opportunities to explore some of these numerous lakes, but others spoken of by the natives could not be visited, as time pressed for the onward march.

In a country possessing these characteristics the climate was remarkable for its extremes, being one day cool and delightful, although now near the middle of summer, and another day unbearably hot. Strong winds swept the open country,