] xx iv INTRODUCTION. \~Prior Discoveries. 
conclusive terranean sea ; but it was generally agreed, that one end of the se- 
Remarks. parat j n g channels, or otherwise the entrance, if such existed, into 
the supposed sea, would most likely be found in this unexplored part 
of the South Coast. 
Besides the solution of this important geographical problem, some- 
thing remained to be done upon the parts already seen. The main 
land behind the first archipelago, as also the inner islands, were yet 
to be examined for harbours, where refreshment for ships might be 
obtained ; a comparison of the persons and usages of the inhabitants, 
witb tbose in other parts of this vast country, was desirable ; and, 
although little utility could be drawn from the known productions at 
the two points visited, it might reasonably be hoped, that an investi- 
gation of a coast so extensive, would not fail to produce much use- 
ful information. 
Many circumstances, indeed, united to render the south coast of 
Terra Australis one of the most interesting parts of the globe, to 
which discovery could be directed at the beginning of the nineteenth 
century. Its investigation had formed a part of the instructions to 
the unfortunate French navigator La Perouse, and afterwards of those 
to his countryman D'Entrecasteaux ; and it was, not without some 
reason, attributed to England as a reproach, that an imaginary line 
of more than two hundred and fifty leagues extent, in the vicinity of 
one of her colonies, should have been so long suffered to remain 
traced upon the charts, under the title of Unknown Coast. This 
comported ill with her reputation as the first of maritime powers ; 
and to do it away was, accordingly, a leading point in the instructions 
given to the Investigator. 
