155 
Wellesley's Islands..] TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
Cape Van Diemen ; it is thickly covered with wood, principally of 
that softish, white kind, whence it obtained the name of Isle Pisonia. 
Another and a larger island afterwards opened from the cape ; but 
this could not be one of the three, for it lies so close, that Tasman, 
or whoever discovered these parts, would scarcely have observed 
the separation ; and in fact, the other two isles presently came in 
sight to the southward, nearly in the situation assigned to them. 
The wind being unfavourable to doubling the cape, we bore aw'ay for 
the two islands ; and soon after four o’clock, anchored on the south- 
east side of the outermost, in 6^ fathoms, good holding ground. 
Tm tie tracks were distinguished on the beach as we rounded 
the north-east point, and afforded us the pleasurable anticipation of 
some fresh food. We had explored tropical coasts for several months, 
without reaping any one of the advantages usually attending it, and 
been frequently tantalized with the sight of turtle in the water, 
and of bones and shells round the fire places on shore ; but we now 
hoped to have found a place where the Indians had’ not forestalled 
us, and to indemnify ourselves for so many disappointments. 
In rowing to the Island, we carried 5 fathoms nearly close -ta 
the beach. Several turtle were swimming about, and some perceived 
above high-water mark, which we ran to secure, but found them 
dead, and rotten ; they appeared to have fallen on their backs in 
climbing up a steep part of the beach, and not being able to right' 
themselves, had miserably perished. I walked the greater part of the 
length of the island ; and from the highest hillock set the eastern 
extreme of the island close to Cape Van Diemen, atN. 34 1 9 W., and 
Isle Pisonia from N. 2a|- p to 19 W. 
During my absence from the boat, the impatient crew, not 
waiting for the turtle to come on shore, had been attacking them in 
the water ; and had caught three large ones, and broken my har- 
poon. They had also been scratching out some of the holes, of which 
the upper part of the sandy beach was full ; from one they filled a 
hat with turtles eggs, and from another took a swarm of young 
VOL. 11 . X 
isos. 
December, 
Friday 3. 
