PORT ESSINGTON. 391 



much in South Africa, at once recognised as the 

 spur of a buffiilo. But one advantage can arise from 

 the want of this precaution. Some of the finest 

 lands in the neighbourhood of Sydney, now called 

 Cow Pastures, were discovered, by finding them 

 to be the constant haunt of wild cattle ; a similar 

 accident might prove equally advantageous in the 

 neighbourhood of Port Essington. 



To return, however, to the period of the esta- 

 blishment of the colony : it was of course deemed 

 desirable to take an early opportunity of exploring 

 Coburg Peninsula, on which Victoria is situated ; 

 and accordingly on May 1st, Lieut. P. B. Stewart, 

 with several well-armed companions, started on an 

 exploring expedition. They carried water and a 

 week's provisions on two ponies, but did not en- 

 cumber themselves with a tent ; sheltering them- 

 selves at night from the dew in little huts made of 

 branches. On the second day they crossed several 

 running streams, with extensive grassy patches, and 

 came to a halt during the sultry part of the day 

 on the banks of a river or chain of pools. Here 

 grew many fine cedar-trees, of a light colour and 

 close-grained, while thick woods of the mangrove 

 appeared on all sides : these much impeded their 

 advance, and prevented them from making any 

 great progress. However, they crossed to the 

 eastern side of the Peninsula, where they found a 

 rich and beautiful country, in some parts reminding 

 them of the rich South American forest, rather 



