178 CASCADE BAY. 



beautiful specimens of crystallized quartz on its 

 higher parts, over which was a slight sprinkling of 

 vegetation, consisting of a few small gum trees and 

 patches of coarse grass. The weather was unusually 

 cloudy, with squalls from the N.E. ; towards the 

 evenins; it was fine with a moderate breeze from 

 E.S.E. As it was late when we reached the boat, 

 we spent the night where we landed. 



March 27. — We were early on the move pursuing 

 our southerly course, the morning being rather 

 gloomy with a fresh N.E. wind, which raised a good 

 deal of sea in the mouths of the larger bays. As 

 the day closed we reached a cove half a mile north 

 of Tide Race Point, where we passed the night. 



March 28. — This morning the thermometer was 

 down to 72*^ at daylight, which gave us the novel 

 sensation of cold. It was late in the forenoon before 

 the violent ripplings at Tide Race Point had sub- 

 sided sufficiently to allow of our passing it. The 

 rate of the current at this point appeared at times 

 scarcely less than eight knots per hour, and travers- 

 ing a rocky ledge, extending to some islands, and 

 nearly dry at low water, rendered it almost impas- 

 sable, except when nearly high tide. In the after- 

 noon we reached the cascade discovered on our way 

 to the northward, and from which the bay within 

 which it is received its name. We spent an hour or 

 two luxuriating in the thorough enjoyment of a treat 

 so rare, as this beautiful stream must be considered 

 in North-western Australia. In the evening we 



