CHAP. XII.] ENCROACHING SANDS. 207 



van Diemen, and three miles off the shore, and called 

 Matapia. It is covered with countless numbers of 

 sea-birds. 



In crossing from the western coast to Parenga- 

 renga the road leads for several miles over white and 

 soft sand-hills. Their desolate aspect is peculiarly 

 impressive, as almost before our eyes the sand is 

 swallowing up the only verdant spots which remain. 

 The similarity of these little plots of land to islands, 

 presenting in their steep sides layers of lignite and 

 reddish loam, and the resemblance of the quicksand 

 to the waves of the sea, are very striking. But ne- 

 ver did a water-worn island bring so clearly before 

 my mind the destroying agencies of Nature as this 

 scene did, since we have here the means of ascer- 

 taining their quick effects by the plants and shrubs 

 which are half buried in the sand. Several shallow 

 but clear rivulets flow towards the western coast, 

 being the outlet of some small lagoons or swamps, 

 which afford temporary protection from the sand to 

 the wooded spots beyond them. A few miles from 

 the estuary of Parenga-renga the land, being more 

 sheltered by hills, assumes a better aspect ; the nar- 

 row ravines are fertile, and covered with high fern, 

 flax, and brush-wood, and brooks flow through them, 

 which join the different arms of Parenga-renga har- 

 bour. 



This estuary is not laid down in any chart, al- 

 though it is an extensive one ; it must be placed at 

 what is called Sandy Bay in the general charts, in 



