28 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
During the following day, Mr. Bedwell ex- 
amined the bottom of the bay, where he found a 
narrow opening, communicating with an inner 
basin of small extent, containing from two to five 
feet water, well stocked with fish: during the 
afternoon, Mr. Roe walked over the sand-ridges 
behind the beach, and provided me with an out- 
line, and the particular features of a part of the 
coast. 
The country, at the back of the bay, was in 
flames during our stay, which proved, if a proof 
were required, that this arid and barren extremity 
of Australia is not destitute of inhabitants ; and 
although we saw none, it is probable that they 
were not ignorant of our presence, but from timi- 
dity intentionally avoided us. The heat was 
very great; on board, the thermometer did 
not stand higher than 90°, whilst on shore it 
rose to 105°, and when exposed to the sun to 
119°. 
On the morning of the 18th we resumed the 
examination of the inlet, but having proceeded 
only six miles farther, there was every appearance 
either of its termination, or of its communicating 
with the sea. The channel had become narrow 
and shoal, and as I was not prepared for so 
critical a navigation, the further examination 
was given up, and we bore up to coast 
