488 CAPE SHANCK. 



passed on Cape Shanck, watching between the 

 clouds for observations. This cape is a narrow pro- 

 jection of calcareous formation, rendered remarkable 

 by a pulpit-shaped rock lying close off it. About a 

 mile to the north is a hill IQO feet high, which has 

 been selected for the site of a lighthouse for shew- 

 ing vessels their position off the entrance of Port 

 Phillip. Being so distant, however, it is of more 

 service for Port Western. 



From Dr. Barker I received some curious infor- 

 mation respecting the Aborigines. It appears that 

 there is great hostility between the Port Phillip 

 and Gipps' Land natives, who occasionally visit each 

 other's territory for the purposes of war. So great 

 is the feeling of enmity between them, that they will 

 frequently take a piece of the flesh of their foes and 

 pass it through the skin of their thighs or arms, 

 where they leave it until it withers. 



Returning to the ship we placed a buoy* on the 

 five- fathom bar at the eastern entrance of the South 

 Channel, the bearings from which are Whale Head 

 S. SS'' W., and Arthur's Seat S. 79" E. ; Points 

 Nepean and Lonsdale being a little open. Passing 

 through this channel,! we spent an afternoon within 



* Another buoy at the east extremity of the bank on the north 

 side of the channel, which is very steep to, and one at the west 

 end of the bank on the south side, would render the naviga- 

 tion free from difficulty, as the banks on either side can be 

 readily made out. 



f The directions for entering by this line-of-battle ship "chan- 

 nel are as follows. After passing Point Nepean steer for Arthur's 



