East Coast, Sf V. D. 's Land.] INTRODUCTION . 
extended up towards the sun, and struck him with three musket 
balls. He rolled over, and plunged into the water; but in less than 
half an hour had taken his former station and attitude. On firing 
again, a stream of blood spouted forth from his breast to some yards 
distance, and he fell back, senseless. On examination, the six balls 
were found lodged in his breast; and one, which occasioned his 
death, had pierced the heart: his weight was equal to that of a 
common ox. 
The 4th station was on Sloping Point, where an aculeated ant-eater 
was caught, and some quartz crystals were picked up from the 
shore. 5th, At the east side of Kent's Bay, under the peak of Cape 
Barren. This peak I wished to ascend, in order to obtain a view of 
the surrounding lands, particularly of an extensive piece to the south- 
ward, which, from the smokes continually seen there, was supposed 
to be a part of Van Diemen's Land ; but the almost impenetrable 
brush wood, with which the sides of the peak and surrounding hills 
were covered, defeated my purpose. 
The 6th station was at Passage Point. The 7th, on Cone Point, 
where the number of seals exceeded every thing we had, any of us, 
before witnessed ; and they were smaller, and of a different species 
from those which frequented Armstrong's Channel. Instead of the 
bull-dog nose, and thinly-set, sandy hair, these had sharp-pointed 
noses, and the general colour of the hair approached to a black ; but 
the tips were of a silver grey, and underneath was a fine, whitish, 
thick fur. The commotion excited by our presence, in this assem- 
blage of several thousand timid animals, was very interesting to me, 
who knew little of their manners. The young cubs huddled toge- 
ther in the holes of the rocks, and moaned piteously ; those more 
advanced scampered and rolled down to the water, with their mothers; 
whilst some of the old males stood up in defence of their families, 
until the terror of the sailors bludgeons became too strong to be re- 
sisted. Those who have seen a farm yard, well stocked with pigs, 
calves, sheep, oxen, and with two or three litters of puppies, with 
vol. r. g 
