474 ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [January, 



Water was found in runs more than ponds ; and, though not abun- 

 dant, it was far from being fcarce. 



The weft fide of the river furnimes the largeft quantity of the beft 

 ground. The country lying near the weft arm is chiefly rather flat, 

 and might be converted to many ufeful purpofes, both in agriculture 

 and in pafturage ; for which laft it is probably well calculated. If it 

 fhould ever be propofed to make a fettlement here, this part feems to 

 merit very particular attention. The beft land feems to be that fine 

 hilly country which lies at the back of an ifland named Middle Ifland ; 

 but accefs to it is not eafy, on account of a large moal extending 

 along its front, which is dry at low water. 



In failing up the river, the points and mores prefent an appearance 

 of fertility that aftonifhes an eye ufed to thofe of the rocky harbours 

 of New South Wales. They are moftly grafted, as well as wooded, 

 clofe down to the water fide ; but every where a dark luxuriant vege- 

 tation meets the view. 



The tides run fo uncommonly rapid, that if the port were colonized, 

 and the principal town built, as it no doubt would be, near the en- 

 trance, the produce of the villages and farms fcattered along its banks 

 might be brought to market with the greateft eafe, expedition, and 

 certainty. 



The heavy timber is chiefly gum-tree of various fpecies ; of which, 

 two are different from any that have been yet feen in this country. 

 The fmaller trees and fhrubs refemble, with fome variety, thofe of 

 the continent. 



The gray kangooroo, of a very large fize, abounded in the green 

 foreft ; the brufhes were tenanted by the fmaller black kind. 



The plumage of the parrots forms a gloomy contraft with the rich 

 luftre of thofe near the fettlement, their colours being rather grave than 

 gay. The melancholy cry of the Bell-bird (dil boong, after which 

 Ben-nil-long named his infant child) feems to be unknown here. 

 Many aquatic birds, both web-footed and waders, frequent the arms 



