TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
245 
Arnhem Bay , ] 
are beaches for hauling the seine, where, however, we had not much 
success. 
We saw no other stone on the low shores than iron ore, similar 
to that found in the upper part of Melville Bay, and on Point Middle in 
Caledon Bay ; and it seems probable, that iron runs through the space of 
country comprehended between the heads of the three bays, although 
the exterior shores and the hills be either granitic, argillaceous, or 
of sand stone. The flat country where the iron ore is found, seems 
to afford a good soil, well-clothed with grass and wood, much superior 
to that where granite or sand stone prevails; this I judge from what 
was seen near the heads of the bays, for our excursions inland were 
necessarily very confined, and for myself, I did not quit the water 
side at Arnhem Bay, being disabled by scorbutic ulcers on my feet. 
This country does not seem to be much peopled, though traces 
men of were found wherever we landed ; in the woods were several 
species of birds, mostly of the parrot kind, and the marks of kan- 
guroo were numerous, as at Melville Bay. These circumstances 
would be in favour of any colony which might be established in the 
neighbourhood ; but should such a step come to be contemplated, it 
Would be highly necessary, in the first place, to see what the country 
is in the dry season, from June to November; for it is to be appre- 
hended that the vegetation may then be dried up, and the sources of 
fresh water almost entirely fail. 
The middle of the entrance into Arnhem Bay is in latitude 
12* 1 i' south, and longitude 13S 0 3 east. Azimuths taken on board 
the ship, when at anchor in the north-eastern part of the bay and 
the head E. by N., gave o° 48' east Variation, which corrected to the 
meridian, would be i° 31' east; but the most allowed to the bearings 
on shore is T 40', and the least T, no greater difference being pro- 
duced by the iron Stone upon which some were taken. From ge- 
neral observation, the time of high water was nearly the same as in 
Malay Road, or about eight hours after the moon’s passage, and the 
rise seemed to be six or eight feet. 
IS03. 
March. 
