GREEN ANTS. 4^9 



visit, however, was not to be forgotten in an instant, 

 although no very pleasing recollections were con- 

 nected with it. Whilst takins; a few angles near 

 the cliifs, we suddenly experienced a series of 

 severe bites or nippings in several parts of our body, 

 and lookinfj round to discover whence arose this 

 unexpected attack, found ourselves under a tree 

 covered with large green ants. Their bites were 

 exceedingly painful, and it was only by beating and 

 tearingf off our clothes that vve could rid ourselves 

 of these unwelcome visitors. From a distance our 

 appearance must have been sufficiently amusing. 

 One moment soberly intent upon our duties, and 

 the next jumping like madmen, and hastily stripping 

 off our garments. The name of Ant Cliffs records 

 our visit to the south shores of Melville Island. The 

 tide on this side of the strait ran nearly two knots 

 an hour, following the direction of the shore ; the 

 time of high water being a quarter of an hour 

 earlier than in Adam Bay. 



August 15. — Recrossed Clarence Strait to obtain 

 observations for rating the chronometers, and ex- 

 amine the extensive shoal off Cape Hotham. On 

 anchoring near its edge, a patch with only five feet 

 was discovered close to the ship ; the muddy and 

 restless state of the water, caused by a meeting of 

 the tides, setting out of Van Diemen's Gulf 

 and Adam Bay, renders it necessary to approach 

 Cape Hotham from the northward, with caution. 

 However, the unusually great depth, for this strait. 



