54 FACING ISLAND. 



leaving to the southward a wide entrance partially 

 blocked up by shoals. Besides the narrow channel 

 described by Flinders as leading between the south 

 end of Facing- Island and the large bank of shoal 

 water extending* about six miles to the south-east^ 

 a second, and much safer one, the least width of 

 which is upwards of a mile, was discovered between 

 the large bank and others of less extent towards the 

 main land. 



We landed almost daily upon Facing Island, 

 which was traversed in every direction, but nowhere 

 could we find a practicable watering place for the 

 ship ; in fact, during our excursions, it was found 

 necessary to carry a supply of water with us, not 

 being' able to depend upon obtaining an}" on shore. 

 The island is 85^ miles long and 2f in greatest 

 width ; it is generally low, the most elevated part. 

 Signal Hill, situated at its south end, measuring 

 only 276 feet in height. Its aspect is various 3 the 

 shores, as well as those of the adjacent main land, 

 are often muddy, and covered with mangroves, 

 fringing creeks, and occupying swamps more or less 

 extensive, while the remainder of the country is 

 either covered with the usual monotonous gum-trees, 

 or, as over a large portion of the sea face, covered 

 with coarse sedgy grass and small bushes, on sandy 

 ground, which rises into a series of low sand hills ex- 

 tending along the coast. During winter there must 

 be much water, judging from several nearly dried up 

 lagoons and swamps, and some empty water-courses. 



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