164 [ 1 799.
it was hardly tö be doubted, that its principal fource proceeded front
fome part near the point o f Union o f the two chains o f mountains.
Allowing this fuppofition, a great part o f its ftream mu ft be perfectly
frefh; for at the place where they ended their examination,
which was not more than half the whole fuppofed diftance or length
o f the river, it had become half frefh half fait, although its breadth
was from half a mile to: a mile and a half, and its depth eight or
nine fathoms.
The country which Mr. Bafs had an opportunity of obferving,
was a certain portion o f that lying within the angle formed-by
the two chains o f mountains, and more efpecially o f the parts which-
lay contiguous to the water, rather than o f thofe fituated in the vicinity
o f the chains.
The quality o f the ground, taking it in the aggregate, was much
fuperibr to that of the borders of any o f the fait water inlets o f New
South Wales, Weftern Port excepted (feen by Mr Bafs on his, firffc
excurfion in the whale boat)* The vegetable mould was,, haw-:
ever, found to be o f no great depth, and was fametimes, perhaps
advantageoufly, mixed with final! quantities of land.
The beft o f the foil was found upon the fides o f Hoping bills,-
and in the broad vaHiés between them. Some parts- that-were low,
and level had a wet and peat-like furface, bounded by fmall tra&s:
of flowering fhrubs and odoriferous plants, that perfumed the aim
with the fragrance of their oils*. Thefe retained in general thé appearance
o f thofe in New South Wales, while they were in reality ,
very different, The rich and vivid colouring o f thé more northern ,
flowers, and that fóft and exquifite gradation of their tinfs? for
which they are fo Angularly diftinguifhed hold with thofe here,.
but in a lefs eminent degree. The two countries prefent a perfect
fimilarity in this, that the more barren fpots are the molt gaily
* In this particular they differ from the flowering fliruhs of New South -Wales ;• none or
▼ ej7 few of which were ever found» beautiful as they were in other refpé&^j . Jo poflefs the
fmalleft particle of odour. adorned.
adorned. The curious florift, and fcientific botanift, would find ample
fubje£t o f exultation in their different refearches in Port Dalrymple.
Except in thefe places, the graft grows not in tufts, but covers
the land equally with a fliort nutricious herbage, better adapted,
poflibly, to the bite o f frhStl than o f large cattle. The food for the
latter grows in the bottoms o f the vallies and upon the damp flats.
A large proportion o f the foil prbmiféd a fair return to the labours
o f the cultivator, and à lleffer- enfüres àd amplfe reWatd ; but the
gréater part would perhaps be more advantageoufly employed, if
left for pafturage, than if thrown into cultivation ; it would be poor
as the one, but rich as the other.
Water was found in runs more-than in ponds, and, though ribt
abundant, wad far from being fcârcë.
The Weft fide o f the river furhilhès thë làrgéft quantity o f the
Beft ground, b'ècairfé the mountains On that fide are at a greater
diftance than thofe on thé eâff. Thé country .'lying near the weft
arm is chiefly rather flat, and might be converted to many ufeful
purpofés, both in agriculture and in pâftüragé, for which laft it is
probably well calculated. IF it fhóüld évér be pröpófed tb make
a fèttlèmënt here, this part féeihs to merit very particular attention'.
Thé bêft' land feems to be that fine hilly country which lies at
the back o f an ifland named Middle-Ifland ; but accefs to it is
not eafy On' account of à large Jhoal extending along its front,
which is dry at lbw wâtèr, as far out as the ifland itfelf. The fhape
o f the land is very pleafingly variegated* with hill and valley; the
foil is in general a rich black mould, lhallow, and even fometimes a
littid ftoney upon the hills, but in the valliés is of abundant depth
and richnefs. A clofe coat o f grafs ó f a uniform thicknefs over-
• fpreads it- every where. I f appears to be watered only by fwampy
pond’s, which in màhy placés are at fome diftance from each other;
but it is hardly to be doubted,- that wells funk in the vallies would
furnilh water fufficient for all domeftic purpofes.
In