COASTS OP AUSTRALIA, 
159 
examination of the south coast, but saw no part 
to the northward. The French expedition under 
Captain Baudin were upon this part at two differ- 
ent periods of their voyage, and it appears from 
an examination of their tracks, that the coast 
between Capes Leeuwin and Peron, the latter 
of which is about five leagues to the southward 
of the entrance of Swan River, has been suf- 
ficiently examined by them. They landed in 
several parts of Geographe Bay, which affords a 
shelter from southerly winds, but is so exposed 
to those between North and W.N.W., that the 
French ships ran great danger of being ship- 
wrecked during a gale from that quarter. 
The coast is sandy, and from M. Peron’s de- 
scription, barren and unprofitable. With the ex- 
ception of the Recif du Naturaliste,'' which lies 
about five leagues to the north of the cape of 
that name, there seems to be no danger in the 
vicinity of the bay. The small inlet of Port 
Leschenault is only the embouchur& of a salt- 
marsh ; it is scarcely attainable even by boats ; 
for there appears to be only three feet water 
on the bar, and over and within it not more 
than fifteen feet. The French found no fresh 
water in any part of Geographe Bay, From 
Port Leschenault to Cape Peron the coast is 
low and sandy, but inland it is of a moderate 
1822. 
Jan. 10. 
