OF LA PEROUSE. 



*39 



We here and there met with an argillaceous 

 earth, which, imbibing water with the greatcfr. 

 facility, forms quagmires : betides, this clay, 

 carried away by the waters that filtrate through 

 the lands, has left little cavities, and fometimes 

 large pools, the furtaee of which being covered 

 with plants conceals the danger. One moment's 

 inadvertence would occafion a perfon to fall in ; 

 and indeed this hf\rjpened a few days after to the 

 Surgeon of the Elpcrance. Being out a (hooting, 

 he thought that he was fetting his foot on 

 folid ground, and he funk into a very deep 

 pond. He dilappeared in an intrant ; but for- 

 tunately he could fvvim. 



We found in the woods fome fkeletons of 

 huts. Small branches of trees were difpofed to 

 receive the bark with which the natives cover 

 thefe cabins. 



This excurfion procured us various fpecies of 

 eucalyptus, among which was that defignated 

 by White under the name of eucalyptus refini- 

 fera. It is a very large tree, the fungous bark 

 of which is eafily detached, and is often near 

 a decimeter hrthicknefs. It produces a refinous 

 gum of a reddifh colour, which is aftringenr, 

 and may be ufed in medicine. We alfo gathered 

 ieveral fpecimens of phfhdelphus , a new fpe- 

 cies of epacris, and the Banlifa integrifolia, &c. 



On 



