ABUNDANCE OF SAGO-PALMS. 2()J 



oozing through the roofs of all the large houses in 

 the village to the south-east of us, shewing it to be 

 very populous. Some of the canoes which went up 

 along the banks of the river appeared to be laden 

 with large cargoes of something covered over with 

 matting, and propelled by three or four men only. 

 It was often difficult to discern even a large canoe 

 moving near the banks, so wide was the river, and 

 so dark the shade of the woods under which they 

 moved. We could now see no mangroves, but the 

 woods consisted of lofty forest trees, mingled with 

 many palms. The most abundant of these palms 

 was instantly recognised as the sago-palm by Shad- 

 rack, the steward of the Prince George, a native of 

 the island of Kissa, who had formerly been servant 

 to Mr. Earl at Port Essington. When near the 

 bank, Captain Blackwood also recognised the bread- 

 fruit tree, and there seemed a great variety of all 

 kinds of tropical vegetation. 



At seven o'clock, having drifted up about a couple 

 of miles, we found ourselves abreast of a very large 

 village on the west bank, apparently that to which 

 the canoes retreated last night. There were three 

 or four long houses and several smaller ones. Many 

 people were standing in the balconies of the houses, 

 and running down to the edge of the water to gaze 

 at us as we passed. About a mile farther on, we 

 passed another village on the same side, with 

 one large house and eleven smaller, and a little 

 above this we met the ebb tide. What little wind 



