326 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, next headland, appeared to be compact limestone also, in large angular 
blocks devoid of any distinct stratification. Proceeding on to Gullhead 
Sept, which is a narrow rocky peninsula stretching a mile into the sea, we found 
it chiefly composed of slaty limestone of a blackish and grayish colour, 
containing particles of talc in larger or smaller quantities as it was 
elevated above or on a level with the sea, but without any visible 
stratification. A bed of slate to the eastward of the promontory bore 
strong marks of its having been subjected to the action of fire. The 
slaty limestone of the cliff on the eastern side of this dips at an angle 
of about 65° to the eastward. The neck or isthmus is either unstratified, 
or its beds are perpendicular ; beyond it the strata dip to the west at 
nearly a right angle. 
Eight miles further along the coast, we landed at the first 
of a series of low points, with small bays between them, which 
continue about four miles, beyond which the coast assumes a totally 
different character. On these low points, as well as upon the shores of 
the bay, we were surprised to find large blocks of porous vesicular 
lava, and more compact lava containing portions of olivine. These 
blocks are accumulated in much larger quantities on the points, and 
in the bays form reefs off the coast which are dangerous to boats passing 
close along the shore. The country here slopes gradually from some hills 
to the beach, and is so well overgrown that we could not examine its 
substrata ; but they do not in outward formation exhibit any indication 
of volcanic agency. 
Further on we landed in a small bay formed by a narrow wall of 
volcanic stones — some wholly above water, others only slightly im- 
mersed. These reefs were opposite a low mud cliff, similar in its nature 
to those in which the fossils were found in Escholtz Bay ; and though 
they did not furnish any bones, yet it is remarkable that a piece of a tusk 
was picked up on the beach near them. It must, however, be observed 
that its edges were rounded off by the surf, to which it had been a long 
time exposed; and it might have been either washed up from some other 
place, or have been left on the beach by the natives. 
To the westward of these rocky projections the coast is low, 
swampy, and intersected by lakes and rivers. The rounded hills which 
