227 



this point of the meanderings of the river and the Moreau, 

 with the surrounding country and distant mountains, is par- 

 ticularly gi'and. This seems to be the extreme easterly 

 boundary of the limestone. 



Tlie islands on the flats are composed of a rich deposite 

 carried down by the floods. Their fnarrnns are covered 

 With Metrosideros and Cassuarina^ and their interior with 

 sea-side succulent plants. On one of these islands I caught 

 sight of a plant vpith an arborescent habit, which, on ex- 

 amination, proved to be a species of %amia^ with spiral fruit, 

 differing only from 2. spiralis in habit. Here the equatorial 

 Goodeniay formerly alluded to, disappears. The difficulties 

 which the party now experienced from having mistaken the 

 channel, and in having consequently to drag the boats over 

 the mud, were great, but by perseverance were overcome, 

 rrom the extensive beds of oyster shells, which lie a foot 

 deep in soft mud, our feet became dreadfully lacerated. 

 These flats are extensive, but by employing flat bottomed 

 hoats they may be easily crossed. 



At Point Fraser, the bank may be said to terminate, and 

 tne channel appears to be that of a beautiful inland river. 

 From the entrance to this spot, it may be more properly 

 called an estuary. The flats, or levels, at this point are 

 very fertile, composed of a rich alluvial deposite, but evidently 

 occasionally flooded— drift timber having been seen five feet 

 above the surface. Here are extensive salt marshes, ad- 

 niirably adapted to the growth of cotton.* The hills on the 

 bank of the river are exceedingly barren, resembling those 

 of Port Jackson, but producing a magnificent species of 

 ^^gophora, which seems to assume the same situation in the 

 botany of this tract as the genus Eucalyptus does in that of 

 Port Jackson. Banksia grandis was here seen to attain the 



Th 



Jiflges in Britain to be of a very superior quality. There can be no qaestlon, 

 J«* that, both as to soil and climate, the banks ot the Swan Biver would prove 

 w«er adapted to the cultivation of this plant than Port Jackson, and the seed 

 'n^ should be tried is that of the Sea Island Cotton.~Ed. 



