NATIVE FIRES. 105 



They generally secured (at slack water) a large fish, 

 in shape like a bream, and with long projecting 

 teeth. 



February 6. — We made up a party on the 6th for 

 the purpose of penetrating a little way into the inte- 

 rior, and got seven miles from the sea in a S. by W. 

 direction. Every thing wore a green and most de- 

 lightful appearance ; but the reader must bear in 

 mind, how vegetation had just been forced by heavy 

 rains upon a light, heated soil, and also recollect 

 that to one who has been pent up for some time on 

 board ship a very barren prospect may seem de- 

 lightful. The country was more open in character 

 than I had before noticed it, and the numerous 

 traces of native fires which we found in the course 

 of the excursion, seemed readily to account for this : 

 indeed during dry seasons it not unfrequently hap- 

 pens, that an immense tract of land is desolated with 

 fire, communicated, either by the design or care- 

 lessness of the natives, to the dry herbage on the 

 surface. The moment the flame has been kindled 

 it only waits for the first breath of air to spread it 

 far and wide : then on the wings of the wind, the 

 fiery tempest streams over the hill sides and through 

 the vast plains and prairies : bushwood and herbage 

 — the dry grass — the tall reed — the twining para- 

 site — or the giant of the forest, charred and black- 

 ened, but still proudly erect — alike attest and bewail 

 the conquering fire's onward march ; and the bleak 

 desert, silent, waste, and lifeless, which it leaves 



