COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
430 
find that the tide had reached within three feet 
of our fire-place, and must have risen at least 
thirty feet since we landed. The air was now 
so cold from a copious fall of dew, that we were 
obliged to resort to our blankets and cloaks for 
warmth ; but with the sun the mercury rose from 
80° to 88° and 90° ; and the morning being quite 
calm, became excessively sultry. 
On reaching the cutter we found that Mr. Roe 
had returned the preceding evening, from having 
examined the north-east shore of the basin, and 
traced two openings, that trend for a short dis- 
tance in, on either side of the mounts. On his 
return he pulled round the south side of St. An- 
drew’s Island, and landed at its south-west end, 
where he made a fire, which spread rapidly 
through the dried grass, and set the surface of 
the island in a blaze. It continued to burn for 
several days afterwards. 
During our absence, the shore of the bay of 
anchorage had also been examined, and several 
pools of water were discovered, from which we 
filled our empty casks. Mr. Cunningham as- 
cended the hills, which rose, nearly perpendi- 
cularly, for at least 400 feet ; they were thickly 
clothed with trees and plants, from which he 
obtained a large addition to his collection. In 
wandering about through the spinifex upon the 
JS20. 
Oct. 
11 - 12 . 
