20 
A VOYAGE TO 
1P02. 
August. 
[East Coast. 
are overspread with mangroves, of three different species ; but that 
which sends down roots, or rather supporters from the branches, 
and interweaves so closely as to be almost impenetrable, was tho 
most common. This species, the Rhizophora Mangle of Linnaeus, is 
also the most abundant in the East and West Indies; but is not 
found at Port Jackson, nor upon the south coast of this country. 
Granite, streaked red and black, and cracked in all directions, 
appeared to be the common stone in the upper parts of the port; 
but a stratified argillaceous stone was not unfrequent; and upon the 
larger island, lying off the point of Hill View, there was a softish, 
white earth, which I took to be calcareous until it was tried with 
acids, and did not produce any effervescence. 
Traces of inhabitants were found upon all the shores where 
we landed, but the natives kept out of sight after the little skirmish 
on the first day of our arrival ; they subsist partly on turtle, and 
possess bark canoes and scoop nets. We saw three turtle lying on 
the water, but were not so fortunate as to procure any. Fish seemed 
to be plentiful, and some were speared by Bongaree, who was a 
constant attendant in my boat ; and yet our efforts with the seine 
were altogether unsuccessful. The shores abound with oysters, 
amongst which, in the upper parts of the port, was the kind produc- 
ing pearls ; but being small and discoloured, they are of no value. 
The attempts made near the ship with the dredge, to procure larger 
oysters from the deep water, were without success. 
I saw no quadrupeds in the woods', and almost no birds ; but 
there were some pelicans, gulls, and curlews about the shores and 
flats. Fresh water was found in small pools on both sides of the 
northern entrance, and at the point of Hill View I met with some in 
holes ; but that which best merits the attention of a ship, is the rill 
found by Mr. Murray at the back of the small beach within Gat- 
combe Head. 
