ACCOUNT OF BOOKS. water, and a fine sandy bottom, having previously run over a flat of about four cables' length, easily discernible from the change in the color of the water, and from two and a half to three fathom deep. Canoes with natives come on A party employed to haul the seine, roo.. The party next proceed in search of kangaroos, and take a native for their guide. In the woods they meet various birds of very beautiful plumage, one of which being fired at, the guide is terrified, and Several birds are dressed and ea- On a second excursion, about The people here appear to be of two distinct classes, bush natives, and sea-side residents; the former are the eaters of human flesh, and dispatch their victims in the following manner: They strike them in the pole of the neck with a waddie, or club; after which, with the womara, or an instrument they throw the spear with, being armed with shell at one end, they make an incision from the throat down the a breast breast to the lower part of the belly, and another across the chest. Many of the natives have marks resembling indentures left on the body by the small-pox, but whether from the same disease is not quite certain if so, it may, probably, have been introduced by Capt. Cook, or some former navigator. On the 13th, five A. M. the Lady Nelson weighs anchor. The Bay, or Sound, is large and commodious, easy of access, affording shelter from all winds, and having room for upwards of two hundred sail of ships, with plenty of wood and water. This Bay, when better known, will be found eligible for vessels bound to Port Jackson, after a long passage from England, and will be the means of saving many lives, as well as much wear and tear. On the 14th, at noon, saw Dramesany N. N. W. distant 8 or 9 leagues, lat. observed 36° 50' S. the following day squally weather with rain, the wind having shifted to the S. blowing strong accompanied with a breaking and confused sea; at noon, more moderate and fair, when Cape Howe bore S. S. W. 4 or 5 leagues. Observation in lat. 37° 13 S. the course pursued. On the 18th had an observation at noon, in lat. 37° 51′ S. point Hicks bearing N. b. E. distant 10 or 12 miles. On the 20th, at 11 P, M. had a fresh gale from E. and E. b. N. which by eight A. M. brought Wilson's promontory, or south cape of New Holland, in sight bearing W. S. W. 10 or 12 miles; at half past nine, it bore N. W. b. N. distant 3 or 4 miles; passed close to the rock, formerly named Rodondo, lying nearly off the end of the promontory. At ten, the south part of the promontory bore N. b. E. 5 or 6 miles. At noon observed in lat. 39° 4' which appears to be the southernmost point of New Holland. Passed close to Glennie's Islands; the most remarkable object near them, is a large rock, almost circular, and of great magnitude, appearing like one entire stone on one side whilst on the other, it is perfectly hollow, and arched on the top with very high work, as if intended to oppose the sea. When thewind blows strong into this opening, it must from its height, make a noise that will be heard several miles off; the water is very deep close to this rock; passed within pistol shot. From Wilson's promontory which is high and steep, the land trains away to N.N.W.as far as the eye can reach, and falls into a low level land towards Cape Liptrap, and from Glennie's Islands, the course by compass, is N. N. 4 W. or N. W. westerly; but the straight course from the S. point of Wilson's promontory to cape Liptrap, is nearly W. b. N. as Mr. Bass has laid it down. The land between the two points, falls back into a deep inlet, ending in a low sandy beach, which when better known, will afford shelter to ships passing that way. In pursuing the course from Cape Liptrap to Western Port, the coast trains for a considerable distance, N. N. W. and then, from E. S. E. to W. N. W. It is a sandy beach, and low land, apparently level, and good soil. The next point to the W. of the cape just mentioned, N. 38° 4' distant about 18 miles, is a low reef of rocks running off from the shore about a mile, named Cape Paterson. To the W. there lies another rocky reef, running from thence to some distance • The French navigators have determined the point to be in lat. 39° 10. M. Bass says 38° 56. ACCOUNT OF BOOKS. distance from the point, and appearing above water. On the 21st at four P. M. had sight of the island which forms the south head of Western Point, named Snapper's Island, from its likeness to a snapper's head, or horseman's helmet. At eight, entered the opening to the port, and discovered two small islands situated about three-quarters of a mile from the south head, with apparently a good passage between them and the island, forming the harbour. The small islands abounding in seals, (some of which are as large as bullocks) we named Seal Islands. Sound the passage, and find between the Seal Islands and the South Head, 12. 9. 6. 5. and 3 will This passage fathoms water. shorten the distance when there is a leading wind, but there is sufficient room for any number of vessels to beat in, by standing round to the W. of Seal Islands; this would prove an excellent harbour for a seal fishery. The soundings are 17. 10. 6. and 24 fathoms; shoals sandy and muddy. Anchored in 6 fathoms water, fine sand, abreast Lady Nelson's point. In search of fresh water, discover a small and singularly beautiful island, detached from the shore by a very narrow channel. Its luxuriant soil induces Mr. Grant to plant lady Elizabeth Percy's apple, together with a variety of other fruits and vegetables. Great numbers of pelicans and albatroses. From the best observations, Port Western lies in lat. 38° 32′ S. and by the chronometer, its longitude appears to be 146° 19' to the E. of Greenwich. Caught a great many flatheads; a very good eating fish; and common. Saw very large sharks, many beautiful and melodious birds, black swans, and ducks with red The open land on shore clothed Remarks on the gentle and con- ac discovers herself to be pregnant gan and declares her intention to destroy her offspring to avoid the trouble of nursing it. This horrid practice too common among the natives, one of whom absolutely asked a convict's wife to lend her a spade, that she might bury her It is child alive, because it cried, and was not worth rearing up. also suspected, that they have a secret to destroy the infant in utero, which, with constant wars, counts for the thinness of their Discover the remains population. of fires, but meet with no natives. Establish a garden, and preserve the large timber cut down in making the opening; explore the river, which is extremely winding; attempt landing on Seal's Island, when the boat is upset by the violence of the swell, and all hands immerged, but no lives lost. It is by no means unusual in these seas for the waves to appear serene and tranquil along the shore, and suddenly to rise and break with irresistible force; again to calm, and again grow bois'terous. Go Go up the river, and encamp on the banks; dreadful thunder storm; proceed considerably in land; find the country free from inundation, interspersed with woods and open plains, exhibiting a very picturesque appearance; kill a black snake, reported to be venemous and common; it measured 18 inches in length, the belly having a cast of dirty red, the back grey. Saw no kangaroos; at low water filled the casks. The sides of the river abound with trees, some of which grow to the height of 60 or 70 feet, free from branches, and are a slender light wood fit for scantling; much underwood. A variety of birds perch on the surrounding sprays among the most remarkable are the bell bird, whose notes so perfectly resemble the tinkling of a bell, that a number of them together give you the idea of a team of horses. The laughing bird is equally singular; its notes may be compared to an hearty ha ha! the plumage is black and white, or rather grey, its size that of a thrush, but its tone is astonishingly shrill; it is an early morning visitor. Shot some whisling ducks, so called from the noise they make with their wings when flying. Met with some very rare and uncommon cockatoos, killed one, preserve it, major-general Davies places it in his museum, [an elegant descriptive plate] Proceed through the wood, and reach an extensive level country, perfectly clear of timber and underwood; the grass so luxuriant it was difficult to pass; it resembles, that which is called in England ryegrass; the soil appears better adapted for agriculture than any about Sydney or Paramatta; find a species of sasafras, much resembling the flavor and quality of that used in England. Erected a hut near the watering place, which is named Half-way House, and plant wheat, corn, peas, rice, potatoes, &c. &c. round it; anticipate the surprise of the natives on the discovery. An unknown animal appears at night, a rencounter between it, and an English dog of the stag-hound kind; the animal escapes, after having very much scratched the dog. Find a canoe and paddles, with some fishing line; differs from any before seen, being framed with timber, and instead of being tied together at the ends, is left open, the space being afterwards filled with grass worked up with strong clay. The Lady Nelson moves to an island off the opposite shore, called Margaret Island." Shoal water; and that seamen may understand the nature and depth of the shoal here, it will be necessary to observe, that when the vessel's fore-foot touched the mud, the stock of her anchor (weighing 400lb) was above water, a decided proof of the superiority of the Lady Nelson's built for searching creeks and rivers, independent of more extensive discoveries; hauled off notwithstanding, and brought up near Margaret's Island. Went on shore; flat country, fertile and well wooded; deposited some seeds; extremely at a loss for water, when the croaking of a bull-frog relieves their necessity, by indicating the spot where it might be found. Western Port bears a strong resemblance to Spithead and Portsmouth harbour. Encamp on the borders of a lagoon abounding with ducks; find some huts, fish-bones, &c. and egg-shells of an uncommon size; track tracks of quadrupeds, but appa rently not of the savage race, as the largest did not exceed the bigness of those of a Newfoundland dog; round, without the impression of a claw. Get under weigh, and bring up at night, in twelve fathoms, with rather foul bottom. In the morning discover a sand shoal, whereon the waves were breaking very heavily. This may be avoided by kceping the S. and E. shores carefully on board; caught a number of snappers, and changed berth; bring too in a small nook, or bay, called Elizabeth's Cove, in honor of Miss King, daughter to the go vernor. Detained some days, by bad weather; on the 29th, weigh and stand out for the Western Port, passing to the westward of Seal Islands; find a large passage capable of any vessel beating into it. Care must, however, be taken to give the westernmost a good berth, to avoid some breakers which appear about a mile from it. The following remarks, as critically necessary, are detailed for the better guidance and information of our readers. "On entering this harbour, the "easternmost shore, or right hand "side, giving the Seal Islands a "berth of three quarters of a mile, "unless a preference is given to going between Seal and Snapper "Islands, which was the passage by "which the Lady Nelson entered. "The former is the principal en trance into the harbour, and "with the before-mentioned offing " from the islands, and at N. E. chosen, as circumstances may "make it convenient. Our course "was South W. W. by compass, "which carried us clear of every VOL. 5. 66 thing, with a strong flood tide running against us. Attention "should be paid, at all times, to "the tide, which flows thirty-five "minutes past twelve on the full "and change, according to the "best calculation we could make, "in the middle stream; and along "such shores as did not wind; for "where they do, there will be "found a variation which nothing "but experience can ascertain. I "have already observed, that the "eastern shore is the clearest, "and ought always to be kept on "board; as on the western side, "there are long sand flats on "which the sea breaks in general "with much force, to a great "distance up the harbour. This "caution ought to be particularly "attended to in foggy weather, as from fourteen to twelve fa"thoms water will be found very near them. When I left Mar"garet's Island, I let go my an"chor in twelve, fathoms water, "and it being dark saw no shoal; "but from the motion of the ves"sel, suspected something of the "kind, and in the morning disco"vered a shoal within less than a "cable's length of us, and the "sand turning up when the sea "broke, as it does on the Good"win sands, at the time of flood. "It being gloomy and wet when "I entered the harbour, I did not opposite the Seal Islands, till "coming abreast of Elizabeth's "Cove, where they fall in with "the western shore." "In hazy thick weather, or in "the night, after passing the Seal "Islands, which are an excellent mark, I would recommend * K " going |