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similar spit on each side of the inlet. The shores of P o rt Clarence are mostly low,
except on the north, and on the east side, near Cape R ile y ; the north, south, and east
boundaries of Grantley Harbour are for the most part rocky and steep.
T h e long low spit which terminates in Point Spencer, separating the outer harbour
from the sea, is continuous with the land to the southward, and leaves an entrance of
three miles wide, between its north point and the base of the mountainous shore on the
north side of the bay. The outer part of this spit is low, level, and interspersed with
fresh-water lakes, said to rise and fall with the tide, and separated from the sea by a
higher ridge. The inner part of the spit is formed of about six broad ridges, parallel
to each other, and to the inner beach tbat looks to the sound. The whole spit is scantily
covered with a short vegetation, and on the highest part of the ridges large quantities of
drift-wood repose in various stages of dec ay; the decay of the wood is greater in proportion
as the ridge on which it lies is farther removed from the inner beach, so that the
trees upon the ridges near the middle of the spit are crumbling into dust. Such is the
appearance of the spit for about a mile only from its point.
From the beach on the northern side of the outer harbour, to the bottom of the
hills, a considerable flat, covered in great measure with alluvial soil, contains large lakes
and lagoons. Smaller lakes are also formed on the southern shore, in the low land near
the base of the spit ju s t described.
The rocky cliff of Cape Riley, on the east shore of P o rt Clarence, is about two miles
iu extent, and gradually, but irregularly terminates in a low beach on each side. I t is
composed of a friable mica slate and fine talc slate, with intersecting veins of calcareous
spar of a pearly lustre, mixed with grey quartz. The general line of dip is obscure,
from the front being much covered with falliug fragments, but appears to be inclined to
the north-east. The shore of the inner harbour, where exposed in cliffs near the middle
of the south side, is a similar mica slate, dipping more distinctly to the east, and contains
alum slate. The shore on the north side also presents cliffs of similar formation
and d ip ; the mica slate contains crystals of a blackish colour, and masses of chlorite
rock. The bottom o fth e harbour, and the steep ascent from the banks ofthe river, for
more than two miles up (as far as we saw), appeared on a near view to be a continuation
of the same slaty formation.
The mountain of Cape Prince of Wales is remarkable for a covering of loose stones,
and a mural ridge of bare rock, broken into irregular gaps and points. This wall commences
at the base of the mountain on the north-east side, ascends the brow, and
reappears in separate and less distinct ridges on the south and south-west side. Parts
of it here stand up in tall and tapering fragments, which at a distance may be mistaken
for close-branched trees, or stupendous statues.
From Cape Prince of Wales to Kotzebue’s Sound the whole shore is low, and the
depth of water so little as not to allow vessels to approach near it. A spit of low land,
and most probably of recent formation, runs into the sea from Cape Prince of Wales in
a northern direction.—C.