On this subject, or rather with regard to the present system of land allotment, I may here observe, that His Excellency, after proclaiming, as the “Hundred of the Murray,” the two miles frontage on each bank, proposes to offer for public sale blocks of land of from ten to 640 acres, granting to the occupiers a commonage in rear of their property for pastoral purposes. It is probable that such an alteration in the existing system of leases may induce a larger proportion of settlers to look to the Murray for their locations. With respect to the much-engrossing pursuit of gold digging, which now occupies so large a portion of the population of these two Provinces (Victoria and New South Wales), it would seem that further discoveries are likely to take place. A Mr. Paterson, or a Mr. Walsh (I am not certain of the name), who visited us at the Darling, mentioned as a fact that a nugget of three or four ounces weight had been picked up on the upper Darling, by one of the settlers, in the ranges which abut on that river, and as quartz hills exist still further back, it is not improbable that considerable gold deposits may be found in these localities. The animal and vegetable kingdom of the Murray is apparently not productive in uncommon or very peculiar productions. Of the four-footed inhabitants of the bush, up to this point of our trip (the vicinity of the Thirteen Lakes[9]), I have heard of none being seen by our party, save and except one solitary kangaroo. Ducks and quail are abundant; the former comprising the musk, black, and wood duck, teal, and widgeon. These are netted by the natives with considerable success; the plan of action being, I understood, to spread the nets over the mouths of the creeks or brooks, and then drive the birds towards them. Wild turkeys are said to be plentiful near the lakes, which are numerous on some parts of the banks, but none have as yet been seen. The white cockatoos are numerous, and occasionally a pretty parroquet has been observed. These, with pelicans, cranes, and sometimes, though rarely, a swan, comprise the chief portion of the feathered inhabitants of the Murray and its banks, but very small birds, unknown by name to those on board, have been also seen.[10] The fish of the Murray consist chiefly of the cod, perch, and cray fish, with a few small turtles, and, in the adjoining lakes, a kind of smelt. The cod is of large size and weight, and well tasted. The most delicate fish is, however, found in the Darling—the name I could not gather. The timber on the Murray is almost entirely confined to the gum, of which there are three varieties—the white, red, and flooded; and occasionally a few pines. Edible roots are found by the natives, and comprise a considerable portion of their food; but the only fruit, as far as I could learn, in use amongst the whites, is that called the “quandong”—a species of wild peach, which is largely used as a preserve. Wild flowers are generally abundant.