NATIVE WELL. 265 



had noticed it since leaving Sydney, being only 65% 

 when easterly or land winds prevailed ; those in 

 the afternoon were generally from seaward. 



A slight rise, even of ten feet, in the water beyond 

 the tidal change, must overflow a vast portion of such 

 very low country ; many evidences of this having 

 taken place were observed.* 



The formation of this part of the continent is of 

 very recent date, as we did not observe any rock ; and 

 the soil is chiefly alluvial. The only fresh water 

 found was at a native well, half a mile S. E. from 

 the eastern entrance point of the inlet. 



In the morning of the 5th, the boats reached the 

 ship. During our absence a few natives had made 

 their appearance on the beach, attending some fires, it 

 seemed, on a hunting excursion. Several grampuses 

 were seen at the anchorage, also many dugongs and 

 turtles. 



In the evening the Beagle was standing across 

 the Gulf towards Bountiful Islands. I found that 

 with the winds we had experienced the last few 

 days it would be the most expeditious way of com- 

 pleting our survey of the Gulf to proceed at once 

 to the head of it, as we should then have a fair 



* At the entrance of Van Diemen's Inlet it is high water on 

 the full and change of the moon at a quarter to seven; but in 

 the upper part the tides are three hours and a quarter later. 

 The length of both flood and ebb is twelve hours, and the 

 direction of the former stream from the northward, following 

 the eastern shore of the Gulf. 



