139 
though the bite is venomous, it seldom occasions death. Other 
small species occur. 
The fresh-water tortoise 1 (Kilon) lays its eggs on shore, 
generally on a bank about twenty or one hundred yards from the 
water, buried in a small hole, and carefully covered up. 
Frogs (Cooyah) of several species occur. 
Fish (Wallah) are very plentiful, in the autumn the smaller 
species approach the shores in large shoals. 
Sharks (Martiat) are very numerous, but the natives are not 
at all alarmed at them and say that they are never attacked by them. 
Sting rays and maiden rays are also common. 
The fresh-water swamps abound with a species of crayfish 
(Challows) very like those found in rivulets in England. In the 
summer months when the water is partly dried up they are found in 
holes in the ground a foot or more deep, the entrance being small, 
but sufficiently wide within for the arm to be thrust to the bottom. 
A species of Cockchafer (Paaluch) deposits its ova upon the 
fallen grass-trees; they develop into large milk-white grubs. Other 
kinds of white grubs (Changut), some of much larger size, are 
procured from rotten trees, bull-rushes, etc. 
A bee is found at King George’s Sound. 
Oysters and other edible kinds of shell-fish are to be obtained 
in large quantities. 
On January 17, 1827, Captain James Stirling, R.N., sailed from 
Sydney to examine the country in the vicinity of the Swan River. 
He had on board as a passenger Mr. Charles Fraser, Colonial Bot- 
anist of New South Wales. Both these gentlemen gave a glowing 
report of the district, and as a result it was decided to establish a 
settlement on the banks of the Swan River. 
The following extracts from Capt. Stirling’s Report to the 
Admiralty record the animals met with : — 
Kangaroo, Opossum, and Tortoise are the only Land Animals 
whose existence we can answer for here. The Native Dog we heard 
occasionally at night, but did not see him. 
Of Reptiles the amount is short. Lizards and Guannas were 
seen and one Snake only the whole time we were there : it was, how- 
ever, the dry season, during which it is probable they remain torpid 
in their retreats. 
Of Birds the list is longer. There are found here the Emu, and 
in the greatest abundance Swans and several varieties of the Duck 
tribe. Cockatoos — white and black, a new species of the first 
colour was seen in great beauty. Pigeons, Quails, and Parroquets 
were also numerous, and to the above-mentioned may be added some 
Birds of very melodious note, which were heard but not seen. 
We saw many Seals on the Islands, but all of the hair, or least 
valuable, species. It was not the season for Whales, but their 
1 Chelodina oblonga, Gray. 
