186 SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
we anchored in Repulse Bay, at about three miles 
from the shore, which is here low and fronted by 
a chain of low islands, apparently connected by 
reefs. Water was seen over the low land at the 
bottom of the bight in the S.W. side of the bay, 
and is probably a lagoon. 
The next morning we steered to the N.W. to 
look at the head of Repulse Bay ; the bottom 
of which appears to be correctly described 
by Captain Cook as being bounded by low 
land. I obtained a view of it from the summit 
of one of the islands, named in my chart the 
Repulse Isles, off which we anchored in the 
afternoon. 
These islets are furnished with a very poor 
and shallow soil. On the sides of the hills, we 
noticed a species of xanthorrhcea, remarkable for 
its stunted growth and for the curly habit of its 
leaves. Pumice-stone was found at the foot of 
the hills, washed up, perhaps, by the tide ; and on 
the beach was an European ashen oar. Under 
the projecting rocks, several firing and sleeping 
places were observed, which had been recently 
occupied by the natives. 
The following morning we sailed and steered 
for Whitsunday Passage ; a little before noon, 
I landed with Mr. Roe and Mr. Cunningham, 
in a small bight round the north side of Cape 
