302 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
I8i9. of hills was taken from the west point of the 
Sept. 25 . south entrance of the gut. 
All around us bore the most desolate appear- 
ance. The grass, which was quite dry, wanted 
but a spark and a breeze to set the whole 
country in flames. The soil on which it grows, 
which is about two feet above the high water- 
mark, is a stiff clay ; covered with a slight in- 
crustation of salt, on which the tracks of native 
dogs were noticed ; several smokes were observed 
at a distance, but no natives were seen. The tide 
had now began to ebb ; and as there was no in- 
ducement to detain us for the next day to examine 
it farther, we set off on our return ; and, on our 
way, landed for bearings on the small islet in the 
middle of the Inner Basin. W e also went on shore 
in two places on the west bank, within the Gut ; 
at the first we found the marks of an encamp- 
ment of a tribe of natives : eight or nine spots, 
of circular form, were cleared away amongst the 
grass, and in the centre of each were the ashes 
of a small fire, close to which we noticed some 
large flattened stones with a smaller one lying 
upon them, which the natives probably use for 
the purpose of bruising or grinding the seeds of 
plants, and breaking shell-fish. The impressions 
of dogs’ feet were observed about the fire-places, 
