•jS AVOYAGETO 



1776- yet, if there be the leafl fertihty in any part of this land, 



December. ^ ' .... 



V— — V — ' we ought to have found it in this, which is completely 

 fheltered from the predominating bleak Southerly and 

 Wefterly winds. I obferved, with regret, that there was 

 neither food nor covering for cattle of any fort; and that, if 

 I left any, they mull inevitably perifli. In the little cove 

 where the boat waited for us (which I called Penguin Cove, 

 as the beach was covered with thefe birds), is a fine rivulet 

 of frefla water, that may be eafdy come at. Here were alfo 

 fome large feals, Ihags, and a fev/ ducks ; and Mr. Baily 

 had a tranfient fight of a very fraall land bird ; but it flew 

 amongft the rocks, and we loft 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 v*ras Weft 

 South Weft; and that its breadth, a little above thefhips, did 

 not exceed a mile ; but grew narrower towards the head. 

 The foundings were very irregular, being from thirty-feven 

 to ten fathoms ; and, except under the beds of fea-weed, 

 which in many places extended from the fhore near half 

 channel over, the bottom vv'as a fine fand. He landed on 

 both fhores, which he found barren and rocky, without the 

 leaft figns of tree or flirub, and with very little verdure af 

 any kind. Penguins, and other oceanic birds and feals, oc- 

 cupied part of the coaft; but not in fuch numbers as at 

 Chriftmas Harbour. 



Finding no encouragement to continue our refearches, 

 Monday 30. and, thc next morning, both wind and weather being fa- 

 vourable, I weighed anchor and put to fea. To this harbour 

 I gave the name of Port Pallifer, in honour of my worthy 



friend 



