LATE ALLAN CUNNINGHAM. ESO. 2G5 



subjects in Natural History, particularly of the above fami- 

 lies, would show themselves." Bat Island, at the entrance 

 of Port Nelson, afforded our botanist another rich harvest, 

 as also did the shores of Brunswick Bay, the general charac- 

 ter of its vegetation resemblinggreatly that of Careening Bay. 



Notwithstanding the repairs tlie cutter had undergone, it 

 was discovered that she was unfortunately not in a condition to 

 stand any very rough weather, and from the quantity of water 

 she made, and the near approach of the change of the mon- 

 soon, Captain King was reluctantly compelled to give up 

 any further investigation of the north-west coast at this 

 period. In consequence of this determination, they took 

 leave of the coast on the 14th of October, and on the 19th of 

 December, they once more dropped anchor in Sydney Cove, 

 having a very narrow escape from shipwreck in a violent 

 gale that compelled them to take shelter in Botany Bay, 

 after an almost miraculous deliverance from being driven on 

 the rocks (which were only discovered by flashes of light- 

 ning), at Cape Banks, its northern head.' 



On Mr Cunningham's arrival in Sydney, he was made 

 acquainted with the death of his patron, that beneficent pro- 

 moter of science, the late lamented Sir Joseph Banks. To 

 Mr Cunningham this intelligence proved a severe shock; for 

 he had ever received from Sir Joseph the most flattering 

 commendations for the results of his past labours, accom- 

 panied by warm assurances of his future countenance and 

 friendship. Of this painful event, Mr Cunningham thus 

 writes — " The announcement of the lamented demise of Sir 

 Joseph Banks, after a rapid decline of health, appeared in 

 the Sydney Gazette; and on the confirmation of it by letters 

 from England, I immediately put on that outward garb of 

 sorrow, w hich at best is but a poor indication of that heartfelt 

 grief I even now feel for the loss we have all sustained in the 

 departure of so firm, so excellent, and invaluable a friend. 

 I could have rejoiced to have again seen the cheering coun- 

 tenance of this great Maecenas; however, viewing the ad- 

 vanced and well-ripened age to which this illustrious person 



Vol. IV._No. a9. 2 L 



