172 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1819. The upper part of the river is studded with 
May is. iglets covered with the casuarina paludosa , which 
is abundant in the swamps and low grounds at 
Port Jackson, where the colonists call it the 
« Swamp Oak.” The river appeared to be subject 
to inundations, for marks of floods were visible 
in all parts, and some considerably beyond the 
banks. 
On our return we landed at a high rocky head 
on the north bank, from which a tract of open 
country appeared to recede. From hence Brown s 
Bluff bore S. 32° W. This Bluff is a remarkable 
hill, and is distinctly seen from the coast: its po- 
sition was fixed by Mr. Oxley on his last journey, 
who passing within a few miles, rode to its sum- 
mit to gain a view of the country, which he de- 
scribed as very extensive and beautiful, and as 
having abundantly repaid him for his labour. 
As we had before passed through the Loudon 
Branch, we now followed the main stream, and, on 
our way, landed on the south bank, upon a piece 
of open forest land, abundantly clothed with lux- 
uriant grass and moderate-sized timber. The 
water here began to taste brackish, but it was 
quite fresh about a quarter of a mile higher up, 
above a spit of rocks which nearly crosses the 
channel, leaving a passage often feet water, over 
which there is a trifling fall. About three- 
