370 cook's island. 



afternoon, might be avoided, we proceeded in that 

 direction, passing along the north-eastern extreme of 

 the continent, and between the Possession Islands we 

 entered Endeavour Strait. This termination of the 

 shores of Australia, being level and of moderate 

 elevation, presents nothing remarkable, save a peak 

 over Cape York and fronting the Possession Isles. 

 It has an inhospitable appearance, being apparently 

 similar in formation with York Isles, and subsides 

 rapidly to the S. W. forming the south side of En- 

 deavour Strait, where it scarcely reaches an ele- 

 vation of fifty feet : contrasting forcibly with the 

 high rocky land of the opposite side of the Strait, 

 formed bv the largest of the Prince of Wales Islands ; 

 upon which former navigators not having bestowed a 

 name, we conferred that of the immortal navio-ator. 

 Not but that the Strait known by the name of his 

 ship, is quite sufficient to recal the mind of posterity 

 to his perils and dangers in these seas ; but that 

 we his humble followers in the great cause of dis- 

 covery might add our mite to the wreath of glory 

 which must ever encircle the name of Captain Cook. 

 On the N. E. extremity of this island is a re- 

 markable peak, in the shape of a horn, called by 

 him Horn Hill. Captain King having only passed 

 between the eastern of the Possession Isles, little 

 was known of the western shores A few angles and 

 bearings were accordingly taken, as we passed be- 

 tween them to assist in remedying this deficiency. 

 There was no impediment to our passage through 



