COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
87 
board, but they were too imperfect to be worth 1818 - 
preserving. The traces of natives were found April 22. 
every where, but they did not shew themselves. 
In one of our excursions a tree was observed 
that had been cut down by some sharp instru- 
ment, and we had afterwards reason to believe 
that the natives were possessed of iron tools, 
which they might have obtained from the Malays. 
A curious mound, constructed entirely of shells, 
rudely heaped together, measuring thirty feet 
in diameter, and fourteen feet in height, was also 
noticed near the beach, and was supposed to be 
a burying-place of the Indians. 
Upon leaving the inner harbour we anchored 23. 
in Knocker’s Bay, on the west side of the port, 
which received the name of Essington, a tribute 
of my respect for the memory of my lamented 
friend, the late Vice-Admiral Sir William Essing- 
ton, K.C.B. : and in the afternoon we set off to ex- 
amine an opening in the mangroves at the bottom 
of the bay. After pulling through its various 
winding channels for about a mile, where it was 
scarcely broad enough for the boat to pass, its 
further investigation was given up, and we com- 
menced our return, but the mangroves were so 
thick, and formed so impervious a net- work, that 
we had great difficulty in effecting it. When 
about half-way towards the mouth, we found the 
