290 EXPLORE AN OPENING. 



as the nature of the ground would admit; they 

 were quite naked, and we were not a little amused 

 to see them floundering through the soft mud. 

 Close to the westward of this opening are two 

 clumps of tall mangroves, the only remarkable ob- 

 jects on the shore of the Gulf from Disaster Inlet. 

 There was another small inlet four miles further 

 on ; and what is remarkable for this neifjlibour- 

 hood, a sandy beach midway between them. 



On the evening of the 28th we entered a large 

 and promising opening,* distant twenty-one miles 

 from Morning Inlet ; its importance was made 

 manifest by its forming a channel of two feet at 

 low water through the flat at the entrance, which 

 it threw out considerably. 



The boats proceeded up the opening at daylight 

 on the 29th ; our hopes were considerably raised 

 by finding a depth of three and, in some places, five 

 fathoms, and a width of about a hundred and twenty 

 yards. The banks were, as usual, lined with man- 

 groves ; behind which, on the eastern side, re- 

 treated vast plains, with trees of some size scattered 

 over them. They extend to the coast eastward of 

 the entrance, which is sandy for some distance, with 

 casuarinse, acacias, and small gums, which was not 

 only a pleasing change from the monotonous man- 

 grove shore, but had also its utility, serving to shew 

 the mouth of the opening from the offing. 



We pursued a general S. S. E. direction, though 



* The mouth is iu lat. 17" 36' 40" S., and long. 8° 27' 0" E. 

 of Port Bssinarton. 



