560 HISTOHY OF 



ble, that taking these animals formed part of thef 

 labours of the inhabitants, and well indeed 

 "would it be if many of those who pride them- 

 selves on the high state of civilization, equally- 

 well employed their time. 



In his passage to Hervey's Bay, the next place 

 of destination Lieut. Flinders was only two 

 days; passing the Wide Bay of Capt. Cook on the 

 1st, and Sandy Cape on the 2d of August ; the 

 Southerly wind of the day veering round in the 

 evening to the Eastward compelled him during 

 the night to keep some distance from some land ; 

 but returning in the morning, he found Captain 

 Cook's description of the coast applied exceed- 

 ingly well. 



During this run he passed one of those spotted 

 flat- tailed snakes first noticed by Captain Cook 

 in this latitude, and which appeared to be of 

 the kind observed by Captain Dampier on the 

 North West coast of New Holland. 



In this bay Lieut Flinders remained till the 

 7th, during which time he had sailed round the 

 interior without being able to enter any opening 

 that might take him to a river. It Avas .deep 

 and extensive, the soundings in it irregular, and 

 in several places he was prevented by breakers 

 from approaching nearer the shore. 



Hauling up for an opening which, he wished 

 to examine, he came to a sandy inlet, laying at 

 the mouth of it. Being unable to find a passage 

 into the opening with the sloop, he came to 

 an anchor and went ashore on this island which 

 -was surrounded with shoal water. The base of 



