MUSQUITOS. 119 



which all the explored portions of this continent are 

 more or less remarkable. 



In the afternoon of the 21st, we moved into a 

 bay N.W. of Point Cunningham, and anchored in 

 8 fathoms (low water) about a mile N.W. from that 

 point ; having passed over a bank of 5 or 6 fathoms, 

 with 12 on its outer, and 10 on its inner side, and 

 lying 2i miles north from Point Cunningham. I 

 spent the early part of this night on shore, a cir- 

 cumstance of which the tormenting musquitos took 

 every possible advantage ; finally driving me from 

 their territory with every indignity, and in a state of 

 mind any thing but placid. The poet doubtless 

 spoke from experience when he asserted — 



" there was never yet philosopher 



That could endure the toothache patiently." 



And even could such a prodigy of patient endurance 

 be found, I am sure it would fail him when exposed 

 to the ceaseless persecution of these inexorable 

 assailants. 



February 22. — The greater part of to-day was 

 spent in making a more minute examination of the 

 bay, the shoal discovered yesterday rendering a more 

 careful search necessary. From the summit of Point 

 Cunningham, I had a fine view of the opposite shore 

 of the sound ; very broken and rugged it appeared 

 to be. To the S.E. and south I could see no land ; a 

 circumstance which raised my hopes of finding in 

 that direction the long and anxiously expected river, 

 which the geological formation of the country. 



