1917-] Du'k Raflofj Ishinil and Pet'on Peninsula. 5G5 



width (see PI. IX.). Cape Inscription is about ten miles 

 further west than Steep Point. The island is about fifty 

 miles in length, and four to four and a half iu width, witli 

 an area of 153,000 acres. The west side is bold and pre- 

 cipitous, with deep water close to the cliffs, which, at Herald 

 Heights, attain a height of 300 feet or more. There are 

 many blow-holes of large size along these cliffs, and with a 

 heavy westerly sea rolling in, a scene of great grandeur is 

 presented. The roar of the largest blow-liole can be heard, 

 and the volume of water and spray thrown up al)ove the 

 cliff-top can be seen, at a distance of several miles. 



The high western side of the island slopes down to the 

 eastern coast, which is mostly low and sandy, the most pro- 

 minent headland there being Quoin Bluff, where are low cliffs. 

 There is very little level ground anywhere, excepting a few 

 dry, salt, samphire marshes, locally known by the aboriginal 

 name of Berre-da. The prevailing vegetation is scrub, of 

 varying height up to twelve or fifteen feet, com^josed 

 mostly of varieties of Wattles {Acacia), witii some Salt- 

 bushes, Fugosia, Hibiscus, etc. There seem to be only a few 

 small patches of scrub, through which it is really hard work 

 to force a way, and they are formed of a species of hard 

 Acacia wood, locally known as of the "Raspberry Jam" 

 (aboriginal Wee-arra). There are no trees, water-conrses, 

 or pools on the island, but excellent water is procurable at 

 many places near the beach at a depth of a few feet below 

 the white sand. At others w^ater has been obtained by 

 sinking Avell-sliafts through very hard rock. The deepest 

 v>ell on the island is about 64 feet, and the water was first 

 located there by putting down a bore. The island has been 

 utilized as a sheep-station (leased from the Government) for 

 about forty years. 



Historically, Dirk Hartog Island is one of the most inter- 

 esting places in Australia, as Cape Inscription is where the 

 first authenticated landing by Europeans was made. On 

 25 October, 1616, Dirk Hartog (or Hartochsz), iii com- 

 mand of the Dutch vessel 'Eendragt' or 'Eendracht^ 

 [i. e. Concord), outward bound from Holland to the Indies, 



