2 CRUISE OF THE ' CURAQOA: 



receded from land during tlie uiglit. Tluis satisfactorily 

 began our pleasant cruise. 



In addition to the ship's company there were, besides 

 myself, whom the Commodore had kindly invited to be his 

 cuest, Mr. Veitch, the son of tlie well-known nui-seryman, 

 who had permission from the Admiralty to accompany us 

 for the purpose of collecting plants ; Mr. Wall, for many 

 years Curator of the Sydney Museum, who was going out 

 as taxidermist ; and Mr. Brazier as shell collector. Science 

 being thus represented, our creatine comforts had also been 

 attended to. A good cow and calf, seventeen sheep, and a 

 quantity of poultry were our guarantees for these. We had 

 also canine companions not a few, belonging to the officers, 

 including a kangaroo dog, and two pretty spaniels of the 

 Commodore's. Thus provided for in a variety of ways 

 we went on our course NE. by E. half E. The weather 

 was fine for the first two days, with bright starlight nights, 

 the moon getting on to the full. The wind having freshened 

 a good deal the ship rolled considerably, and it did not 

 much add to my comfort to have my berth drenched by the 

 water coming through the port when the sea dashed against 

 it. Soon after daylight on the 6th we sighted Lord Howe 

 Island and Ball's Pyramid ; the former of which can be 

 seen twenty miles off in clear weather, and the latter twelve. 

 Lord Howe Island is the southernmost of the outlying islands 

 and reefs of the east coast of Australia. It is said to be 

 of volcanic origin, is mountainous, well-wooded, and fertile 

 in the lower parts. Its highest point is Mount Gower, 



