Port PhilUp.1 TERRA AUSTRALIA 213 
that even at this elevation its boundary to the northward could not 1802. 
be distinguished. The western shore extended from the entrance T j£% 
ten or eleven miles in a northern direction, to the extremity of what, ^ 
from its appearance, I called Indented Head; beyond it was a wide' 
branch of the port leading to the westward, and I suspected might 
have a communication with the sea ; for it was almost incredible, 
that such a vast piece of water should not have a larger outlet than 
that through which we had come. 
I took an extensive set of bearings from the clearest place to 
be found on the north-western, bluff" part of the hill ; and we after- 
wards walked a little way back upon the ridge. From thence 
another considerable piece of water was seen, at the distance of three 
or four leagues; it seemed to be mostly shallow; but as it appeared 
to have a communication with the sea to the south, I had no doubt 
of its being Mr. Bass' Western Port. 
Arthur's Seat and the hills and vallies in its neighbourhood 
were generally well covered with wood ; and the soil was superior 
to any upon the borders of the salt water, which I have had an 
opportunity of examining in Terra Australis. There were many 
marks of natives, such as deserted fire places and heaps of oyster 
shells ; and upon the peninsula which forms the south side of the 
port, a smoke was rising, but we did not see any of the people. 
Quantities of fine oysters were lying upon the beaches, between high 
and low water marks, and appeared to have been washed up by the 
surf; a circumstance which I do not recollect to have observed in any 
other part of this country. 
We returned on board at dusk in the evening; and at daylight We dnes. 38 . 
the anchor was weighed with the intention of coasting round the 
port with the ship. The wind was at north-east, but the flood tide 
was in our favour ; and having made a stretch toward the middle 
shoals, we tacked and ran east- south-east along their south side, 
until past eight ; when the flood having ceased, we came to in 7 
fathoms. At slack water in the afternoon we again steered east-* 
yoL, 1. g h 
