WINDS IN THE GULF. 327 



in the shore range of thirteen degrees. Generally on 

 the land it was below 62° before 7 a.m. and after 6 

 P.M. The range of the barometer in November was 

 from 29*70 to 80*06 ; whilst with us, in July, its 

 maximum height was 30*08, and minimum 30*02; 

 the lower being in both seasons with winds from the 

 land, coinciding with what had been observed on 

 other parts of the continent, that winds from the 

 sea raise the mercury, and those from the land de- 

 press it. 



The winds in July were fresh from South to S. E. 

 for about two days before and after the change in 

 the moon. They began at midnight, increasing to 

 almost a strong breeze between five and six in the 

 morning, and dying away again towards noon, when 

 a calm of five hours duration succeeded ; at other 

 times light land and sea breezes prevailed. 



It will appear from this description of the winds 

 in the Gulf of Carpentaria that they bear a great 

 similarity to those experienced at the same season 

 on the N. W. coast, near Depuch Island ; and the 

 circumstance of the temperature being lowest when 

 they were strongest from the land is also the same. 

 This was there supposed to have been occasioned by 

 the great radiation of heat from the land over which 

 they blew ; but as the country at the head of the 

 Gulf of Carpentaria is not of a cold clayey nature, 

 the idea is naturally suggested that there must be a 

 great extent of swampy ground in the interior, which 

 strengthens the opinion I have before expressed. 



After hoisting in the boats we shaped a course 



