Three expeditions into the interior of eastern Australia; with descriptions of the recently explored region of Australia Felix, and of the present colony of New South Wales . nity of examining them closely. In the Darling, westwardof this camp, was a bed of round concretions—all about aninch in diameter. They were dark coloured, and when firsttaken out, had a foetid smell. July 1.— Pursuing the left bank of the newly discoveredchannel, we found that it embraced some low rising grounds,which, ever since we had made Maccullochs range, hadbeen the limits of the polygonum flats, along the left ban
Three expeditions into the interior of eastern Australia; with descriptions of the recently explored region of Australia Felix, and of the present colony of New South Wales . nity of examining them closely. In the Darling, westwardof this camp, was a bed of round concretions—all about aninch in diameter. They were dark coloured, and when firsttaken out, had a foetid smell. July 1.— Pursuing the left bank of the newly discoveredchannel, we found that it embraced some low rising grounds,which, ever since we had made Maccullochs range, hadbeen the limits of the polygonum flats, along the left bankalso of the Darling. On the tops of some of those hills, Iobserved what appeared to be the tombs of the natives. Theyconsisted of a circular trench of about 30 feet in diameter,the grave being covered by a low mound in the centre ; andthey were always dug in the highest parts of hills. Onobserving this preference of heights as burying places, Iremembered, that it was on the summit of the hill, whereI fixed our depot on the Darling, that we saw the numerouswhite balls and so many graves.* The balls were shaped asin the accompanying wood-cut, and were made of Casts of a head. Bolls. * M. de la Roque says of the Bedouin Arabs of Mount Carmel, that thefrequent change of the place of their encampment, not admitting their havingplaces set apart for burial, they always choose a place somewhat elevated forthat purpose, and at some distance from the camp. They make a grave there, 254 AUSTRALIAN SHAMROCK. [CH. VI. Beside them were, in some cases, casts also in lime orgypsum, which had evidently been taken from a head, thehair of which had been confined by a net, as the impressionof it, and some hairs, remained inside. A native explainedone day to Mr. Larmer, in a very simple manner, the mean-ing of the white balls, by taking a small piece of wood, lay-ing it in the ground, and covering it with earth ; then layinghis head on one side and closing his eyes, he showed that adead
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