Groole Eylandt . .] TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
The wood on Groote Eylandt was mostly composed of dif- 
ferent species of eucalyptus ; the trees were small, and might do for fire 
wood and very common purposes, but did not seem calculated for 
any superior use. Chasm Island was the sole place where the nut- 
meg was found, though in general, the gleanings of the botanists were 
tolerably fortunate. None of the native inhabitants were seen, nor 
any kanguroos or other quadrupeds ; and birds seemed to be scarce. 
Small quantities of water, deposited in holes of the rocks by the late 
rains, were useful to the seamen for washing their clothes ; but we 
did not find any from which a ship could be supplied, nor were there 
any beaches convenient for hauling the seine. 
I he latitude of Finch’s Island, from a meridian 
observation to the north and south, is - - 14° 43' 31" S. 
Longitude from six sets of distances of the sun 
east of the moon, taken by myself, 136° 38' 
4 7 " , and from twelve sets by lieutenant 
Flinders ( see Table V. of Appendix No, 1 ), 
136° 23' 38'' ; but there being no observations 
of the moon at Greenwich within two or 
three days, the longitude from survey and 
the position of Caledon Bay afterwards fixed, 
is preferred, and is - 13b 3 6 53 E. 
Dip of the south end of the needle, - - 39 22 
Variation of the theodolite, - - 3 Q eaS {- 
The variations of the surveying compass, from amplitudes taken 
near different parts of Groote Eylandt during the circumnavigation, 
were these ; — 
Near the main, opposite the S. W. Pt., head E. by S., o° 43/ cor. 2 0 44' E. 
Near the south-west point, - S. E.,i 9, 23b 
Off the east side, - N. E. by N., 2 57, 4 4 
Near the north-east isles, - - N. W. by W., 3 33, 158 
Oft the north end, - - S. W.byW., 5 51, 4 14 
Whether the small variation near the north-east isles arose from any 
191 
1S03. 
January. 
