South Coast] INTRODUCTION. Ixix 
journal of this discovery seems to have been lost ; or possibly was Nuyts. 
either suppressed or destroyed, according to what is thought to have im ' 
been the Dutch policy of that time. It was, therefore, from the 
chart, and the above passage in the recital, alone, that any particulars 
could be drawn. If the extent of a thousand miles were taken to be 
m a straight line, and to commence at Cape Leeuwin, the end of 
Nuyts' Land would reach nearly to the longitude of 135 0 east of 
Greenwich ; but if, as was probable, the windings of the shore were 
included, and a deduction made of one-'ixth to one-seventh in the 
distance, then the Isles of St. Francis and St. Peter might be ex- 
pected to be found between the 132nd and 133rd degrees of east 
longitude. 
With the exception of Mons. de St. Alouarn, who is said to have Vancouver 
anchored near Cape Leeuwin in 1772, the south coast of Terra 1791 ' 
Austrahs, though occupying much attention from geographers, seems 
to have been left unvisited from 16,7 to 1791. In this year, captain 
George Vancouver, being on his way to North-west America, 
made the South Coast on Sept. 26, at Cape Chatham, in latitude 
35° 3' south, and longitude 116 0 35' east, not many leagues beyond 
where Nuyts appears to have commenced his discovery. He sailed 
eastward, from thence, along the shore, till the 28th; when he 
anchored in a sound, to which was given the name of King George 
the III. 
The country in the neighbourhood of the Sound, and of its two 
harbours, was found to be agreeably variegated in form; to be 
clothed with grass and wood; and, though generally more barren 
than fertile, yet affording many spots capable of cultivation. No 
considerable river was discovered; but fresh water was every where 
abundant for domestic purposes ; and the climate was judged to be 
as healthy as the temperature was found to be agreeable. Kan- 
guroos did not appear to be scarce ; nor were the woods ill tenanted 
by the feathered tribes; and reptiles and other noxious animals were 
