222 



is formed by Cape Peron; and in front of this bay is a 

 groupe of islands, among which those of Berthollet and 

 Buache are the most remarkable for their size. The river 

 in question was discovered by Vlaming, a Dutchman, and 

 derived its name from the great number of black swans 

 which were seen, and of which that navigator took two to 

 Batavia with him. M. Heirisson, an officer of the Natu- 

 raliste, one of Bandings ships, was the first person who 

 surveyed the river, in June 1801. The mouth he found to 

 be obstructed by a bar of rocks, which threatened to inter- 

 cept the passage; but after overcoming that difficulty, the 

 depth of water rapidly increased. Pelicans were seen m 

 reat numbers, and the strand was covered by molluscous 



g 



j_j — _ J — — — ., — ^„ . — _^ 



animals, left by the tide, and yielding an abundant food to the 

 aquatic birds. The soil consisted of sand hills, having a line 

 of rocks next the sea, of a calcareous nature, mixed with 

 sand, and full of excavations and clefts. Upon the sand 

 hills (" dunes") grew different shrubs, of which many were 

 in flower; and great flocks of land birds, especially of 

 beautiful parrots, hovering among the trees, seemed to give 

 animation by their presence and numbers to these unknown 

 ,and desert shores. Soon, in ascending the river, the right 

 bank became lofty, then the left, which was crowned with 

 verdure. The rocks were full of petrifactions. Proceeding 

 past Moreau's Inlet, M. Heirisson enjoyed a beautiful 

 spectacle : on one side was seen the upper course of the 

 river, which could be traced to a table land of distant moun- 

 tains, whilst on the other its descent was observed as far as 

 the sea. The two banks appeared almost every where 

 covered with noble forests, which extended for a great 

 way into the interior of the country. Continuing, the passage 

 of the river appeared obstructed by shoals and islets, whicP 

 were named Heirisson*s Isles. Three days were employed m 

 the ascent, and the return was hastened long before 

 the expedition had reached the source among the hills? hy 

 the failure of the stock of nrnvlslnns. Tt was Mr. Frasers 



th 



■curatelj') 



and his account is here given in his own words. — Ed.] 



