1769. ROUND THE WORLD. SQQ 



to be so deep as are sometimes made upon similar 

 occasions, if we may judge by the scars which we 

 saw upon the arms, thighs, breasts, and cheeks of 

 many of them, which we were told were the remains 

 of wounds which they had inflicted upon themselves 

 as testimonies of their affection and sorrow. 



The next day, I went with two boats, accompanied 

 by Mr. Banks and the other gentlemen, to examine 

 a large river that empties itself into the head of the 

 bay. We rowed about four or five niiles up, and 

 could have gone much farther, if the weather had been 

 favourable. It was here wider than at the mouth, 

 and divided into many streams by small flat islands, 

 which are covered with mangroves, and overflowed 

 at high water. From these trees exudes a viscous 

 substance which very much resembles resin: we 

 found it first in small lumps upon the sea-beach, and 

 now saw it sticking to the trees, by which we knew 

 whence it came. We landed on the east side of the 

 river, where we saw a tree upon which several shags 

 had built their nests, and here therefore we de- 

 termined to dine ; twenty of the shags were soon 

 killed, and being broiled upon the spot, aflTorded us 

 an excellent meal. We then went upon the hills 

 from whence 1 thought I saw the head of the river. 

 The shore on each side, as well as the islands in the 

 middle, were covered with mangroves ; and the sand- 

 banks abounded in cockles and clams: in many places 

 there were rock-oysters, and every where plenty of 

 wild fowl, principally shags, ducks, curlieus, and the 

 sea-pie, that has been described before. We also 

 saw fish in the river, but of what kind we could not 

 discover: the country on the east side of this river is 

 for the most part barren, and destitute of wood; but 

 on the west it has a better aspect, and in some 

 places is adorned with trees, but has in no part the 

 appearance of cultivation. In the entrance of the 

 river, and for two or three miles up, there is good 

 anchoring in four and ^\e fathom water, and places 



