158 COORDS VOYAGE TO DEC. 



of which I could not see, was disjoined from that in 

 which the ships were at anchor, by the point we then 

 stood upon. A great many small islands, rocks, and 

 breakers appeared scattered along the coast, as well 

 to the southward as northward ; and I saw no better 

 channel to get out of the harbour than by the one 

 through which we had entered it. 



While Mr. Bailey and I were making the observ- 

 ations, Mr. Gore encompassed the hill ; and joined 

 us by a different route, at the place where I had 

 ordered the boat to wait for us. Except the craggy 

 precipices, we met with nothing to obstruct our walk. 

 For the country was, if possible, more barren and 

 desolate than about Christmas Harbour. And yet, 

 if there be the least fertility in any part of this land, 

 we ought to have found it in this, which is com- 

 pletely sheltered from the predominating bleak 

 southerly and westerly winds. I observed, with re- 

 gret, that there was neither food nor covering for 

 cattle of any sort ; and that, if I left any, they must 

 inevitably perish. In the little cove where the boat 

 waited for us (which I called Penguin Cove, as the 

 beach was covered with these birds,) is a fine rivulet 

 of fresh water, that may be easily come at. Here 

 were also some large seals, shags, and a few ducks ; 

 and Mr. Baily had a transient sight of a very small 

 land bird ; but it flew amongst the rocks, and we 

 lost it. About nine o'clock we got on board. 



Soon after, Mr. Bligh returned, and reported that 

 he had been four miles up the harbour, and, as he 

 judged, not far from the head of it. He found that 

 its direction was W. S. W. ; and that its breadth, a 

 little above the ships, did not exceed a mile ; but 

 grew narrower towards the head. The soundings 

 were very irregular, being from thirty-seven to ten 

 fathoms ; and, except under the beds of sea-weed, 

 which in many places extended from the shore near 

 half channel over, the bottom was a fine sand. 

 He landed on both shores, which he found barren 



