CXIV 
Bass. 
INTRODUCTION. [Prior Discoveries. 
of the boat, and the continuance of strong winds, kept Mr. Bass 
th}rteen days ^ Western Port. His sketch of it has since been 
superseded by the more regular examination of ensign Barralier, 
copied into the chart, where its form, situation, and extent will be 
best seen. The land upon its borders is, generally, low and level; 
but the hills rise as they recede into the country, and afford an 
agreeable prospect from the port. Wherever Mr. Bass landed, he 
found the soil to be a light, brown mould, which becomes peaty in 
the lowest grounds. Grass and ferns grow luxuriantly, and yet the 
country is but thinly timbered. Patches of brush wood are frequent, 
particularly on the eastern shore, where they are some miles in 
extent; and there the soil is a rich, vegetable mould. The island 
(since called Phillip Island) which shelters tM port, is mostly 
barren, but is covered with shrubs and some diminutive trees. 
Mr. Bass had great difficulty in procuring good water, arising, as 
he judged, from unusual dryness in the season; and the head of the 
winding creek on the east side of the port, was the sole place where 
it had not a brackish taste. The mud banks at the entrance of the 
creek may be passed at half tide by the largest boats ; and within it, 
there is at all times a sufficient depth of water. 
No more than four natives were seen, and their shyness prevented 
communication; the borders of the port, however, bore marks of 
having been much frequented, but the want of water seemed to have 
occasioned a migration to the higher lands. Kanguroos did not appear 
to be numerous; but black swans went by hundreds m a flight, and 
ducks, a small, but excellent kind, by thousands; and the usual wild 
fowl were in abundance. 
The seventh week of absence from Port Jackson had expired, by 
the time Mr. Bass was ready to sail from Western Port; and the 
reduced state of his provisions forced him, very reluctantly, to turn 
the boat's head homeward. 
Jan. 18. At daylight, he sailed with a fresh wind at west, which 
increased to a gale in the afternoon, with a heavy swell from the 
