C xlix ] 
PRIOR DISCOVERIES IN TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
SECTION II. 
WESTERN COASTS. 
Preliminary Observations. Discoveries of Hartog : Edel: of the Ship 
Leeuwm: the Vianen : of Pelsert : Tasman : Bumpier: V laming : 
Dampier. Conclusive Remarks. 
Under the term Western Coasts, is comprehended the space P re i im in ai7 
irom the western extremity of the northern Van Diemen's Land to ° h ^r 
the North-west Cape of New Holland ; and from thence, southward (Atlas, pi. I.) 
to Cape Leeuwin. The first is usually termed the North-west, and 
the second the West Coast: Taken together, they present an extent 
of shore of between seven and eight hundred leagues in length ; 
lying in the fine climates comprised between the i ith and 35th 
degrees of south latitude. 
The recital of discoveries in Tasman's instructions speaks of the 
first knowledge gained of these coasts in the following terms : « In 
" the years 1616, 1618, 1619, and ^22, the west coast of this Great 
<< unknown South Land, from 35° to 22 0 south latitude, was discovered 
' by outward-bound ships ; and among them by the ship Endragt." 
The recital gives no further particulars ; but from thence, and from 
a manuscript chart by Eessel Gerrits, 1627,* there seems to be suffi- 
cient authority for attributing the first authenticated discovery of any 
part of the Western Coasts to Dirk Hartog, commander of the ship Hartog, 
m g, r 1616. 
oee Dalrymple's Collection concerning Papua, note, page 6. 
VOL. I. jj 
