SELECTION OF SITE. 
347 
a town about three miles below ; he said a great 
deal is grown around his village ; every person has 
some for his own purposes ; the staple appeared to be 
fine, but short ; the plant is an annual. We procured 
also specimens of the Pirn, used for spinning by 
hand, which is precisely similar to the method 
formerly practised in England, and still by the peasants 
of Italy, &c. 
The Commissioners were anxiously employed every 
day on board the ‘ Albert,’ deliberating on the best plan 
to be adopted for our future proceedings, which the 
rapidly increasing sickness, as well as the advance of the 
season, rendered very perplexing. 
The botanist and geologist having examined the 
nature of the soil and productions, it was thought, that 
although these were not very favourable, yet all things 
considered, the land in the neighbourhood of the hill, 
called Stirling by Lander, was suitable for the first 
location of the infant colony. 
Barraga, or Beaufort Island, and Mount Patt^h, 
seemed to be the most eligible positions for the 
erection of forts; and the country on the right bank 
of the river, in the neighbourhood of the confluence, 
having been abandoned by the former inhabitants in 
consequence of the frequent incursions of the Filatahs, 
afforded many advantages, since no jealous rights of 
property would be invaded, and the emigrants — who 
had gone no further than the opposite bank of the river 
to be safe from their oppressors — would, it was pre- 
sumed, very soon gladly return to the homes of 
