THE BERSIMIS EIVEE. 199 



sea to the eastward, and one mile and three-quarters north 

 east from the south extremity of the point of the same 

 name. The south side of entrance of the river, for more 

 than three quarters of a mile, is of low and bare sand. 

 The opposite point of entrance is also of sand, and bears 

 north-north-west, at the distance of rather more than a mile 

 from the south point ; but this wide mouth of the river is 

 closed by sands at low water, with the exception of a very 

 narrow channel. The river within, for the first three miles, 

 is vide and full of sand shoals. 



(: ( The bar is of sand, which dries in parts at low water, 

 and shifts frequently, being completely exposed to 

 soutierly and easterly gales, it extends nearly a mile and 

 a quarter to the eastward of the south point of entrance. 

 Directions for entering the river must therefore be use- 

 less, "out it may be as well to remark, that within the bar 

 the ciannel is always close to the south point of entrance, 

 and ieeps on that side through the wide part within, with 

 a depth of nine feet at low water. The depth that could 

 be cairied in over the bar, in the month of July, was six 

 feet it low water, and from thirteen to eighteen feet at 

 high water, according as it might be neap or spring 

 tides. 



" ' This river discharges a great volume of water, es- 

 pecially in the spring of the year, and the water is fresh 

 enough for drinking, when the tide is out, two miles 

 within its entrance, 



o 4 



