134 SAIL FROM CAPE YOKK. 



are thinly covered with a sprinkling of Grevillea, 

 Boro7iia, and Lmcojjogon bushes^ with occasional 

 tufts of the coarsest ^ass. There must always be, 

 however, sufficient pasturage for such cattle and 

 sheep as a small party in charge of a coaling depot 

 would require. There is also sufficient water in the 

 island for their support, and by digging wells, no 

 doubt the quantity would be greatly increased. 

 In addition there are several small spots where the 

 soil is suitable for gardening purposes, thus ensuring 

 a supply of vegetables during the greater part, per- 

 haps the whole of the year. 



On November 2nd we sailed from Cape York on 

 our way to Port Essington and Sydney, but 

 owing to the prevalence of hght airs, chiefly from 

 the eastward, and calms, we did not reach Booby 

 Island until the 4th, having passed out of Torres 



anhydrous peroxide of iron, — similar in chemical character to the 

 celebrated hoematite ore of Ulverstone and Whitehaven. It is, 

 however, less rich in iron than would be inferred from its out- 

 ward appearance, since the pebbles on being broken, exhibit 

 interiorly a loose and cellular structure, where grains of quartz 

 and plates of mica are interspersed with the ore, and of course 

 reduce its specific gravity and value. 



" Such an ore, if occurring in great quantity, and at no great 

 distance from abundant fuel and from a supply of hmestone for 

 flux, may prove to be very valuable ; but I should fear that your 

 suggestion of employing the coral and shells of the coast, for the 

 last mentioned purpose, might impair the quality of an iron thus 

 produced, for the phosphoric acid present in them would give one 

 of the constituents most troublesome to the iron-master, who 

 wishes to produce a strong and tough iron." 



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