Shoal-water Bay .] 
TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
47 
thickly set nor large, — of several kinds of shrubs, amongst which a 
small grass-tree was abundant, — and of grass, with which the rest 
of the soil was thinly overspread. 
After making my observations, I rejoined the Lady Nelson 
two miles below the woody islet ; but the wind blowing fresh 
up the bay, and the brig being leewardly, went on and with some 
difficulty landed on the west side, opposite to the entrance of the 
eastern arm. This part is stony ; but equally low with the rest of the 
shores, and is probably an island at high water. A confined set of 
bearings was taken here ; and the sun being then nearly down and 
the brig at anchor, I went on board for the night. Next afternoon, 
when the ebb tide enabled the vessel to make progress against the 
strong north-west wind, we beat down in a channel of between one 
and two miles wide, with soundings from 2 to 8 fathoms ; but they 
were not regular, for the depth was less in some parts of the middle 
than at the sides of the channel. The wind moderated in the even- 
ing; and being then within three miles of the ship, I quitted the brig, 
and got on board at sunset. 
One object of my research in this expedition had been the lost 
cutter, and orders had been left with lieutenant Fowler to send again 
into Strong-tide Passage upon the same errand, but all was without 
success. 
During my absence, the naturalist and other gentlemen had 
gone over in the launch to the west side of the bay, where they had 
an interview with sixteen natives ; their appearance was described 
as being much inferior to the inhabitants of Keppel and Hervey’s 
Bays, but they were peaceable, and seemed to be very hungry. 
They had bark canoes which, though not so well formed, were 
better secured at the ends than those of Port Jackson ; and in them 
were spears neatly pointed with pieces of quartz, for striking turtle. 
The number of bones lying about their fire places bespoke turtle to 
be their principal food ; and with the addition of shell fish, and per- 
haps fern roots, it is probably their sole support. 
1802. 
August. 
Tuesday 31. 
September. 
AVednes. 1. 
