COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
177 
miles to the Red Point of Vlaming ; behind i 82 i>. 
which is a bight, called by the French Gan- Jan. is. 
theaume Bay; in the south part of which there 
appeared a small opening. This bay did 
not seem to be so well calculated for taking 
shelter in from southerly gales, as Van Keu- 
len’s chart indicates ; since it is exposed to 
winds from S.W.b.S., from which quarter it 
must frequently blow. The country appeared 
very rocky ; the slight vegetation covering its 
surface gave it a greenish hue, but no trees 
were seen near the shore, which is fronted by a 
sandy beach ; the depth of the bight is probably 
five or six miles. The cliffs of Red Point par- 
take of a reddish tinge, and appear to be dis- 
posed nearly in horizontal strata. In the centre, 
and about half way between the base and sum- 
mit of the cliffs, is a remarkable block of stone, of 
very white colour, that at a distance appeared to 
be either a fort or house : some black marks on its 
face took our attention, and resembled characters 
of a very large size, as if they had been painted 
for the purpose of attracting the attention of ves- 
sels passing by ; but a closer examination with 
the telescope proved them to be only the sha- 
dows of the projecting parts of the surface. 
At half past seven o’clock we hauled off for 
the night, and, standing off and on, sounded in 
VoL. II. N 
