430 Geographical Collections. 
santhus rufus, Anthocercis littorea, two species of Metrosideros and a Prostan- 
thera,—on the downs a species of Gnaphalium, with white flowers, as on the 
downs bordering the Bay of Biscay, gives a snowy appearance to many parts of 
the cliffs,on the margin of a salt lake he found a species of Brunonia. At the 
distance of one mile from the mouth of the river, the genus Eucalyptus makes 
its appearance, although in a stunted state: the French naturalists stated the 
most abundant shrub in the country to be the £. resinifera. 
The vegetation of the beach consists principally of syngenesious plants, and a 
species of Hibiscus with peltate leaves. Here Mr. F. observed a beautiful pen- 
dulous Leptospermum, resembling the weeping willow, and associated with an 
arborescent Acacia. The few trees and shrubs seen on the hills of limestone, 
consisted of stunted Eucalypti and Leptosperma, and a beautiful species of Caly- 
tris or cypress, of the finest green colour: a Rhagodia grows on the beach to a 
height of twenty feet. The genus Banksia appears in all its grandeur near Can- 
ning River. The shores are covered with rushes of great height and thickness, 
concealing many beautiful syngenesious plants. The botany of Point Heathcote 
is splendid, consisting of magnificent Banksias and Dryandras, a remarkable 
species of Hakea, two species of Grevillia, a species of Leptospermum, and a 
beautiful dwarf species of Calytris. The beach at Garden Point is of the same 
character ; and Mr. F. thinks that every beach within the heads will be found of 
the same description. The margins of the islands are covered with Metrosideros 
and Casuarina, and their interior with sea-side succulent plants. On the flats 
the Banksia grandis attains a height of fifty feet, and a Zamia thirty. Up the 
river are thickets of Casuarina. The brome grass of New South Wales makes 
its appearance. Bastard and real blue gum is seen in considerable qvantities. 
At the base of the mountains, Mr. F. observed a species of Hakea with holly- 
shaped leaves. The summit was studded with noble Angophoras. At the source 
of the river were thickets of an arborescent species of Acacia, and gigantic this- 
tles eleven feet in height. 
The island of Buache, composed of low ridges of light sandy loam, has its lof- 
tiest parts covered with cypress, ( Calyiris,) and thickets of Solanum, and a 
species of Brunonia ; towards the north were thickets of Metrosideros. The ap- 
pearance of the country about Cape Geographe is particularly pleasing. The 
shore seemed well clothed with timber, and the foliage of the richest green. The 
principal part of the timber consisted of ee eee Mr. F. saw no traces of 
Banksia nor of Casuarina. - 
Zoology.—At Rottenest the French met with a little kangaroo, about two feet 
in height, probably Petaurus Peronii, Desm. and what they called a large rat, 
(Perameles nasuta.) Seals were very numerous, and there were a great number 
of reptiles : tortoises abounded in Geographe Bay. At the source of Swan River 
Mr. Frazer met with a number of deep pits, made by the natives for the pur- 
pose of catching land tortoises, with which the ridges abound. The animals 
met with were kangaroos, native dogs, emus, &c. &c. The quantity of black 
swans, ducks, pelicans, and aquatic birds seen on the river, was truly astonish- 
ing. Fish were abundant, and the sound swarmed with tiger sharks. A species 
of Psittacus (cockatoo) was seen in large flocks: it fed on the roots of orchideous 
plants. One of the most remarkable animals frequenting the tall rushes of the 
river’s banks, was the sea-lion of Anson, elephant-marin of the French, (Macror- 
hinus proboscideus, F. Cuy.) which roars loudly, and fight among themselves. 
The French met with them in the interior of the woods. Partridges and crows 
were said to be met with on Isle Buache by the French. They also saw on 
Swan River, parrots and large and small crows. Fishing in the river was very 
successful, Mr. Frazer only saw one snake during the survey. 
The French had no direct communication with the natives. They did not appear 
Navigators ; no traces of boats were found, though the natives were met with in 
pretty great numbers on the banks of the river. The few natives Captain Stirling’s 
