also deep fissures in the earth, destitute of water.—We proceeded over the Middlesex Plains, one of the grants of the V. D. Land Company, which is at present unoccupied, and crossed the Iris River three times: we then entered an open forest of White and Common Gum, that continued till we reached Epping Forest, which is of Stringy-bark, where, near a vacant stock yard, we encamped for the night.—When crossing one of the brooks on the Vale of Belvoir, a snake went into the water from the bank, and passed before my horse, which became so much alarmed, that he was very reluctant to leap over, or to cross any of the other brooks that we came to, in the course of the day. The route we travelled was upon what has been designated, The Great Western Road; but in many places in the plains it was quite lost, and could only be found again in the margins of the forest, by seeking for the marked trees.
25th. The track was more distinct. On the descent to the Forth, which, is about 2,000 feet, there are some beautiful views of woody and mountain scenery. The river is wide and rapid, and the sound of the great fall, called The Forths Gateway, is very distinguishable from the road. Gads Hill lies between this river and the Mersey: it is 2,588 feet high, very steep, and clothed with lofty forest, in which several of the larger shrubs become small trees.—In ascending this hill, a large Black Snake crossed the path, and I could not induce my horse to pass the place where it had been without leading him. On the top of the hill there are some pretty, grassy openings, called the Emu Plains; to which, after resting, we set fire, in order that the next travellers this way, might have fresh grass.—The descent of Gads Hill is almost too steep for horses: oxen have sometimes fallen over the side of the path, and have been lost in the forest below.
On arriving at the Mersey we found it considerably flooded. Here J. Milligan had some provisions deposited in a hollow tree, for himself and his prisoner attendant to return to.—After resting a little, we crossed this river, which is also wide, and so deep that three out of four of our horses, swam a short distance; but by keeping their heads a
