COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
377 
channel appeared equally free on either side of 1 82Q . 
the group ; but, as it was a material object, Aug. s. 
on account of the unfavourable state of the wea- 
ther, to make sure of reaching the anchorage 
under Cape Flinders, we did not attempt to pass 
round the northern side, but steered through the 
strait between 2 and 3, and then over our former 
track round Cape Melville. At six o’clock we 
anchored under Cape Flinders. Between Point 
Foley and Cape Melville I had an opportunity 
of improving my chart, with respect to the reefs 
in the offing, and of observing the outer limit of 
the barrier reefs, which were distinguished by 
the heavy breakers that lined the horizon. On 
rounding Cape Melville, the remarkable feature 
of which has been previously described at page 
229, a pine-like tree was noticed growing on 
the summit of the ridge : Mr. Cunningham thought 
it was the araucaria excdsa; if his conjecture was 
right, this tree occupies a space of 900 miles of 
coast, between 14° 10' and 29° 30'. It might, 
however, have been a callitris . 
On passing round Cape Flinders, the remains 
of the Frederick’s wreck were still seen scat- 
tered over the rocks ; but appeared much reduced 
in quantity. Upon visiting it, the next morning, 9. 
we observed evident proofs that some ship had 
lately been there and taken away several of her 
