COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
27 
tained also a small portion of earth, which gave isis. 
it a strong resemblance to brick-dust. The Feb. 15. 
country is slightly sprinkled with a stunted ve- 
getation, and bore a most desert-like appearance ; 
and on the shore we noticed a few mangrove 
bushes. 
The sea was abundantly stocked with fish and 
turtle, though it did not appear to be the season for 
the latter to lay their eggs. An immense shark 
was hooked, but it broke the hook and escaped . 
its length was about twelve feet, of an ashy-gray 
colour, spotted all over with darker marks ; the 
belly was white, and the nose short ; it was 
altogether different from any we had before seen. 
The impression of what appeared to have been 
an emu’s foot was noticed upon the sand, there 
is reason, however, to think we may have been 
deceived ; we never, afterwards saw one of those 
birds on the north coast. 
The country was covered with immense ant- 
hills ; one that Mr. Cunningham measured was 
eight feet high, and nearly twenty-six in circum- 
ference ; but on breaking it up, he found it to be 
deserted by its constructors : an iguana, which 
was hunted by that gentleman, took refuge in 
one of these hills, which proved a safe asylum, 
for, although he broke a great part down, it 
escaped. 
