A sealer's family 263 



of a ridge of granite gradually rising from it in a 

 N.E. direction. About half a mile off it, lies a 

 small detached reef. 



Having thus coasted the northern side of the 

 Strait, we proceeded to cross over to Tasmania to 

 examine the southern side. About half way is King 

 Island, extending in a north and south direction, 

 thirty-five miles, and in an east and west thirteen. It 

 lies right across the entrance of the Strait,about forty 

 miles from either shore, and from its isolated position 

 is well adapted for a penal settlement. 



The more northern channel of the two formed 

 by this island is the safer, and the v^ater deepens 

 from 47 to 65 fathoms as you approach it from the 

 continent. Its outline is not remarkable, the most 

 conspicuous point being a round hill 600 feet high 

 over the northern point called Cape Wickham. We 

 anchored in a bay on the N.W. side, under New 

 Year Island, which affords shelter for a few vessels 

 from all w^inds. There is a narrow passage between 

 the two, but none between them and the southern 

 point of the bay, which is open to the north-west. On 

 the summit of one of these islands boulders of 

 granite are strewed, and they exhibit a very re- 

 markable white appearance from seaward when the 

 sun has passed his meridian, A sealer had esta- 

 blished himself on the north island with two 

 wives, natives of Tasmania. They were clothed in 

 very comfortable great coats made of kangaroo 

 skins, and seemed quite contented with their con- 

 dition. Their offspring appeared sharp and intel- 



