278 SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAJ 
1819. been lately covered with grass, recently burnt; 
Sl -c and here and there, among other plants, Mr. 
6- ‘- Cunningham found a stunted eucalyptus, (eudes- 
mia ?) about six feet high. 
The usual traces of natives were noticed; es- 
pecially in one part, where the mark of a foot 
had been impressed since the last high water. 
Large fires were burning three or four miles off, 
but no human beings were seen. As our gentle- 
men proceeded up the nver, a large flight of bats 
flew over the boat. Very few birds were observed, 
but a cry like that of the “ ardea antigone ” was 
heard; Mr. Roe killed a small snake about two 
feet long. „ , 
Upon this excursion no fresh water was found, 
except a few small drainings ; but in this we were 
not disappointed, for the character of the country 
did not favour the idea, or inspire us with any 
hopes of finding a stream of sufficient consequence, 
to be rendered useful for our purpose. During 
the absence of the boat several necessary things 
were done on board the ship, which it was not 
possible to effect under weigh. On opening some 
of the dry casks, their contents were found to 
have suffered much from weevil and rats: the 
latter had also made great havoc on our spare 
sails; and, what was of greater importance, and 
made me very anxious for the consequences, they 
