NEW SOUTH WALES. ' 93 
places where at prefent perpetual damps prevailj and the '^^f ^' 
air itfelf appears to llagnate, , x.^,^^^^ 
On leaving thefe low gronnds, they found them fuc- 
ceeded by a rocky and barren country. The hills v/ere 
covered v/ith flowering fhrubsj but by means of various 
obftacles the afcending and defcending vvas difficult, and 
in many parts impracticable. At the diftance of about 
fifteen miles from the fea coaft Governor Phillip obtained 
a very fine view of the inland country and its moun- 
tains, to feveral of which he now gave names. The 
moil northern of them he named Carmarthen Hills, the 
mod Ibuthern Lanfdown Hills ; one which lay between 
thefe was called Richmond Hill. From the manner in 
which thefe mountains appeared to rife, it was thought 
almoft certain that a large river mufl defcend from 
among them. But it was now neceffary to return j with- 
out making any further examination. 
On the 2 2d another excuriion. of the fame kind was April 2 2d, 
1788. 
undertaken : Governor Phillip landed with his party 
near the head of the harbour. Here they found a p-ood 
country, but in a fliort time arrived at a very c^ofe cover ; 
and after palling the chief part of the day in fruitlefs at- ■ . 
tempts to make their way through it, were obliged 
to relinquifli the attempt, and return « The next day. 
O 2, 
by 
