1770. ROUND THE WORLD. 107 



lie to the N. W. of it, and some small rocks at the 

 distance of about a league S. E. On the west side 

 of the Cape there appeared to be a lagoon, and on 

 the two spits which formed the entrance, we saw an 

 incredible number of the large birds that resemble a 

 pelican. The northernmost land now in sight bore 

 from Cape Capricorn N. 24 W., and appeared to be 

 an island; but the main land trended W. by N. N. ? 

 which course we steered, having from fifteen to six 

 fathom, and from six to nine, with a hard sandy 

 bottom. At noon our latitude, by observation, was 

 23 24' S. ; Cape Capricorn bore S. 60 E. distant 

 two leagues ; and a small island N. by E. two miles : 

 in this situation we had nine fathom, being about 

 four miles from the main, which, next the sea, is 

 low and sandy, except the points which are high and 

 rocky. The country inland is hilly, but by no means 

 of a pleasing aspect. We continued to stand to the 

 N. W. till four o'clock in the afternoon, when it 

 fell calm - 7 and we soon after anchored in twelve 

 fathom, having the main land and islands in a man- 

 ner all round us, and Cape Capricorn bearing S. 54 E., 

 distant four leagues. In the night we found the 

 tide rise and fall near seven feet ; and the flood to 

 set to the westward, and the ebb to the eastward, 

 which is just contrary to what we found when we 

 were at anchor to the eastward of Bustard Bay. 



At six in the morning we weighed, with a gentle 

 breeze at south, and stood away to the N. W. be- 

 tween the outermost range of islands and the main, 

 leaving several small islands between the main and 

 the ship, which we passed at a very little distance : 

 our soundings being irregular, from twelve to four 

 fathom, I sent a boat ahead to sound. At noon we 

 were about three miles from the main, and about the 

 same distance from the islands without us : our 

 latitude, by observation, was 23 7' S. The main land 

 here is high and mountainous ; the islands which 

 lie oft* it are also most of them high, and of a small 



